Q. Is foamed-in-place insulation still available? I used it in a home I used to own and was very pleased with the results. I understand that noxious off-gassing was a problem, but heard this problem has been eliminated by changing the chemicals used.
It seems this product would be ideal for older houses, since it actively fills voids in the walls around conduit, piping and other hidden obstructions. But I have been unable to find foamed-in-place insulation recently.
Jim Wicks, Chicago
A. In the 1970s and 1980s, “foam-in-place insulation got a nasty reputation because of the out-gassing of the formaldehyde used in the product,” said Jim Nathan, of Building Inspectors Consortium Inc., in Highland Park. The problem has been solved by substituting different chemical compounds, he said.
Foam-insulation products are more expensive than other types of insulating materials, such as fiberglass or cellulose. Although foam-in-place insulation is more costly, it has some wonderful advantages, Nathan said. It easily fills every crack around the framing to form a weather-tight seal and acts as a vapor barrier, eliminating the need for a separate vapor retardant, he said.
As a result, it commonly is used in buildings where there are space limitations or where very high R-values are desirable. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, foam insulation R-values range from R-4 to R-8 per inch of thickness, which is two to three times greater than most other insulating materials of the same thickness.
Foam insulation can reduce energy bills by 25 percent, Nathan added. It also has been reported to reduce mold growth and does not burn.
To find this product, check with insulation distributors.
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