Which Styrofoam Insulation to use on a houseboat
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Which Styrofoam Insulation to use on a houseboat
I am in the process of building a houseboat.
The exterior walls of houseboats are made of a fiberglas reinforced plywood (no studs to create a wall cavity... fiberglas reinforced plywood provides the bearing wall alone) Most boats that are built completly by a manufacturer are not insulated at all.
If a houseboat manufacturer does insulate, the fir out the walls with 2x2's and use 1-1/2 inch thick styrofoam.
My question.... Since I am buliding this boat myself... I don't know what type of styrofoam is best. Our local big department hardware store sells two types in 4x8 sheets...
one type is the traditional white styrofoam with no labeling at ~$8/sheet
the other is made by Dow Corning is kind of pink in color and it's label says R-7.5 it also feels a little more "dense" that the white type... this type is ~$15/sheet.
Any idea what the R-value for the white type would be? Is the more expensive type worth the money?
Any information would be appreciated.
The exterior walls of houseboats are made of a fiberglas reinforced plywood (no studs to create a wall cavity... fiberglas reinforced plywood provides the bearing wall alone) Most boats that are built completly by a manufacturer are not insulated at all.
If a houseboat manufacturer does insulate, the fir out the walls with 2x2's and use 1-1/2 inch thick styrofoam.
My question.... Since I am buliding this boat myself... I don't know what type of styrofoam is best. Our local big department hardware store sells two types in 4x8 sheets...
one type is the traditional white styrofoam with no labeling at ~$8/sheet
the other is made by Dow Corning is kind of pink in color and it's label says R-7.5 it also feels a little more "dense" that the white type... this type is ~$15/sheet.
Any idea what the R-value for the white type would be? Is the more expensive type worth the money?
Any information would be appreciated.
#2
Steve,
The pink one is a closed cell insulation which is moisture resistant and the one to use on your houseboat.
The white styrofoam which has an R value of 5 per inch is open cell and will allow moisture to be absorbed.
The pink one is a closed cell insulation which is moisture resistant and the one to use on your houseboat.
The white styrofoam which has an R value of 5 per inch is open cell and will allow moisture to be absorbed.