Styrofoam insulation?

[low277]

I see that most people use colored foam panels for the wall insulation if they don't have them foamed.

Has anyone used white foam? I realize that white has less R value than colored and I think white is open cell where the colored is closed cell, but for the walls and ceiling that are not exposed to water it should be ok?

Any opinions?

[Nordern]

I used the white on the wall of our perm and 20 years later still no issues.

[dunnym]

my house was done with white foam. if I would have done it, I would have used the pink stuff. but mine holds heat just as well as my buddies house that waas done with the pink stuff. I just finished totally insulating under my floor with 2 in pink foam, im interested to see the results

[JeffB]

I think the biggest advantage of high density foam is its strength if you have something scratch up against it or fall against it. Its just a lot stronger plus the better R value is an added bonus. I went with the spray foam and love how strong it is.

[low277]

dunnym,

Why would you change from white to colored if you did it yourself?

Thanks

[hunter76]

I used white in mine and have had no problems at all. My house is 7 1/2 x 17 and it warms up just fine.

[dunnym]

whoever originally built my house used white in the walls and ceiling.I have no complaints with how my house holds heat. my main reason for using the pink stuff under the floor is that it seems more durable against natures elements

[Gordie]

I used the white in my spear shack but colored it flat black No complaints

[Pleasant]

I use 1 1/2 expanded white for insulation. The extruded Formular is easier to work with a a bit more R factor 7.5, white is 6. I use a hot knife to cut the Styrofoam I do not see that it is that more difficult to work with, it is not as durable if exposed but if covered I see that it does not matter. The big thing for me was the cost factor. Formular is 3 to 4 times the cost unless you run into a heck of a deal.

Someday I may build one and spray it out with a Froth-pak.

When I first separated from active military to active reserve I worked with insulation for several years.

But I do suggest using a hot knife to cut Styrofoam, makes it so much easier and does nice cuts. If you do not know what a hot knife is Google it. They run 15-20 bucks for a decent one.

Okay that is my 2 cents worth

[low277]

Thanks Pleasant,

I will check into a hot knife, it sounds like it would be easy and less messy.

[jeepguy]

I work for a local twin cities company that manufactures white expanded polystyrene. I have been selling this product for almost 10 years. I get asked a lot of fish house insulating questions this time of year. Here is what you really need to know....

"white" foam is a closed cell expanded polystyrene with an r-value of 4.17 per inch.

"blue" and "pink" foam is an extruded polystyrene with an r-value of 5 per inch.

With that being said, the "white" expanded foam is more cost effective, and if you needed material cut to specific dimensions you could PM me and I could point you to a construction materials supplier that could special order the material from us so you do not need to do any cutting yourself which can be messy, and using a hot knife is not always the most precise way of cutting the material. Also we do now manufacture an expanded product that is black/graphite in color that would be great for a dark house.