Comparing kinds of insulating foam...
#1
02-09-04, 06:43 PM
Comparing kinds of insulating foam...
How long do the varying types of insulating foam 'hold up' over time?
I've used the Nasty Stuff; oops, I mean Great Stuff and Dap tex, which is white and water clean-up. I have a can of Great Stuff/ Window & Door that cures FLEXIBLE, but haven't tried it yet.
I need it to fill gaps where the wall and floor meet; cold air and humidity enter and want to use the best product the first time around. This is a old log structure with a crawl space.
Thanks your help.
I've used the Nasty Stuff; oops, I mean Great Stuff and Dap tex, which is white and water clean-up. I have a can of Great Stuff/ Window & Door that cures FLEXIBLE, but haven't tried it yet.
I need it to fill gaps where the wall and floor meet; cold air and humidity enter and want to use the best product the first time around. This is a old log structure with a crawl space.
Thanks your help.
#2
02-10-04, 06:30 PM
Most foam products are susceptible to Ultra Violet light and most manufacturers recommend painting it if there is exposure to light. However, because the thickness of the lumber used in log structures, I would recommend "Chinking" If you search the web for it, you will find a few manufacturers and instructions on how to apply it.
#3
02-10-04, 06:47 PM
insulation comparisons
Thank you for your reply.
Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that we have a log structure. I may have steered you off course with that comment. Yes, it is a log structure, but the logs have been covered over. The gap is where the floor and wall meet, (are supposed to meet, that is.)
I spoke with someone today in regard to how the different foam insulations compare. He recommened inserting insulating styrofoam, depending on the size of the gap, and finishing it off with the flexible Great Stuff. He said that the white stuff tends to crumble.
I'll give that a try.
Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned that we have a log structure. I may have steered you off course with that comment. Yes, it is a log structure, but the logs have been covered over. The gap is where the floor and wall meet, (are supposed to meet, that is.)
I spoke with someone today in regard to how the different foam insulations compare. He recommened inserting insulating styrofoam, depending on the size of the gap, and finishing it off with the flexible Great Stuff. He said that the white stuff tends to crumble.
I'll give that a try.
#4
02-10-04, 08:36 PM
The gap you see between the floor and wall is supposed to be there. This is because the wood floor will expand and contract with the temperature and humidity changes in the home. That is the reason for baseboard moldings, it covers up this gap. With that in mind, putting something flexible would be the best choice. The advice that was given to you about installing styrofoam first is even better. I would go as far as recommending an even more flexible material like foam pipe insulation or similar material. Then using the flexible spray foam to seal the area. Unforunately, you will have to spray foam possibly every 2 years because of the movement of the floor.
That info is very helpful. The draft is extreme. The gap that I'm seeing is a bit extreme, too. 
