Use Foam Sheets Instead Of Fiberglass Insulation

3 benefits of rigid foam sheathing.

Use foam sheets instead of fiberglass insulation.

It comes in standard size 4 8 sheets and smaller sizes in many different thicknesses from 1 4 inch to 2 inches. However after reading about the flash and batt method. Foam board insulation is easy to use and is a great diy way to add some insulation. The most common insulation materials are fiberglass cellulose and foam.

More effective insulation with r values ranging from 3 6 to 8 0 rigid foam sheathing has much better insulation per inch than other materials i e. However the fiberglass can be compressed decreasing the size of the air pockets. After that thin furring strips are installed on top of the foam to provide a firm base for the drywall screws and drywall but can you run rigid foam between the studs just as you would do with fiberglass rolls or spray foam. Foam insulation sheets are commonly used as an effective insulation material against cold heat and moisture.

My plan was to install 1 rigid foam board against the backside of the exterior plywood sheathing with all gaps sealed with foam and then r 19 fiberglass batt insulation. These are panels of rigid foam sold in 4 by 8 foot sheets in a variety of thicknesses from 1 4 to 2 inches it is also sold in large bundled panels joined at the ends accordion style for use as an exterior sheathing material. Insulation types include loose fill batts rolls foam board spray board and vapor barriers. That s not a problem with foam board insulation.

The correct method of using rigid foam is to run continuous 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of the foam across the concrete basement wall making the rigid foam the de facto wall. When installing fiberglass people often compress conventional fiberglass batts which reduces the product s effectiveness. Some types of thicker foam board insulation are available but they may need to be special ordered. The type of insulation you need depends on which type is currently installed and the required r value.

For instance a 5 5 inch wall cavity can be filled with 2 inches of foam and an r 13 fiberglass batt as a cost effective system that seals the walls with an r 25 insulation system exceeding u s. It also acts as a good sound barrier because it effectively absorbs sound coming from any direction. Usually this type of insulation is used in areas where space is limited especially in new constructions where space is maximized for office use or commercial use. In an open cell insulation product like fiberglass the air is trapped inside the fiber.