Comments on: Energy Efficient Insulation Options

By: chad

chad — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:26:57 +0000

Frank – http://www.sips.org is going to be your best reference. They have lists of suppliers based on location.

It depends on what type of SIP you are using and how thick it is. For quick calcs though, you can use about $5psf for the wall panels.

I thought you had to use steel framing in NYC? There are SIP options out there that use steel framing if so…

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:19:02 +0000

I am planning to build my house in NYC area.
I’m wondering what is the price range to use SIP for 3,600 SF exterior envelope. Or where can I find the most affordable SIP supplier? I am a general contractor, my crew could install it with supervision.

By: nick

nick — Sat, 24 May 2008 17:19:35 +0000

The recycled denim insulation has no VOCs, almost double the soundproofing, is resistant to mold and pests because of the borate-based fire retardent, and does not cost near that of the icynene foam. Check out a product outreach video at http://www.deniminsulation.net/video.html

By: chad

chad — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:18:58 +0000

These batts with their laminated foam board in place of OSB on the outside would still make for a nicely insulated home. We could add caulking seams and gaps to the DIY list to be performed by myself also…

Thanks for the suggestion.

By: lavardera

lavardera — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:37:49 +0000

I know its not your preference, but consider using the higher density batts offered by Owens Corning. With these you can use R21 at the walls, a little bit better than the typical R19 and easier on your 100k.

By: chad

chad — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:30:07 +0000

Brandon,

The foam is costly. I am getting a quote from Greenable’s supplier now but have already received one from another company for the installation of the same BioBased product. On our homes the quote came out to about $1.20 per board foot. A board foot is one square foot that is one inch thick.

We needed 3″ in the walls and 4″ in the ceiling and then 2″ under our concrete slab foundation. In all it came to over $12K per home which was a bit shocking to me. I’m hoping the other company comes back lower and that using a layer of rigid foam board on the outside of the home will decrease our spray foam needs and cost.

I’ve also heard that you can get the non-Bio versions installed for as little as $1.00 per board foot so…

By: brandon

brandon — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:18:55 +0000

This is one of the things I've been looking into lately as well for my upcoming project. I was really interested in the BioBased spray insulation. However after visiting the Philly Home Show and speaking with Eric from Greenable I discovered that it is extremely expensive. I was told it could range anywhere from $150-$250 psf. There is a very slight chance that I misheard him (I hope) as it was kind of loud in there, but I doubt it. If those numbers are accurate that's quite depressing... especially for a renewable soy based material. Another spray system I've been researching is the Icynene Spray Foam. I was told this is roughly 2-3 times as expensive as traditional fiber glass insulation. Those estimates seem to be a bit more friendly than the BioBased numbers. As I've yet to find the building I want to renovate (I'm too picky) I haven't been able to get any exact numbers.

By: chad

chad — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:05:11 +0000

Rae – Thanks for the advice. Great blog BTW. Added it to our blogroll and I’ll be reading through it tonight. All the SIPs vendors we have spoken to are excited about our project as we are trying to prove SIPs can be affordable. Most have offered to supervise the installation for free.

Kelli – Where are you thinking of building? I have actually been in close contact with this company. Looks like a great product. It’s a few months away from production but I plan on seriously considering it for the future. They have also offered to post any stock plans we develop on their site.

Check out http://www.ecosteel.com/ to get an idea of the type of system they recommend using for their structures. It’s a core structural system of steel I-beams with light gauge steel framing to secure the panels.

Keep me posted on your progress. If we end up going the SIP route it will probably make the most economic sense for you to use the same vendor…

By: kelli

kelli — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:46:37 +0000

We are currently in the process of planning to build our own home (also in the kensington area of philadelphia strangely) and have been looking into insulation options as well. Any thoughts on the the straw-filled SIP?
http://www.enviroboard.com/

By: Rae

Rae — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:34:30 +0000

We went with the rigid foam insulation for our new house, but if I could do it again I would have gone with SIPs – they’re such a neat system. The problem with both kinds is that they really hinge on having a good installer… we couldn’t find someone locally who was experienced with the panels, so ended up going with the spray foam. And even those installers weren’t that great – we ended up having to fill some gaps ourselves. But the house is super-tight now!