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Tim Adams
Posted: Jul 07, 2013 08:07 AM
Open cell vs Closed cell - Rookie Question
Search didn't turn up much.

Going to get in to foam interiors as an adjunct to our roofing foam. We will get training but just want some basics info, such as:

* If you used closed cell can you avoid shaving off the overflow between the studs?
* In terms of the same R-value, is open cell still a lot cheaper than closed when considering less labor to deal with said shaving?

Any other reasons to choose OC over CC
Mark Mouton
Posted: Jul 07, 2013 04:13 PM
Mathematically 1/2-lb x 4= 2-lb.
Say you're going to spray 2600 sq ft of walls in a house. R-13. 2" of closed cell. It will take 1.3 sets of closed cell@ 4000 bd ft per set. Material cost is $2600.00. Then, depending on how many men in your crew(say 2-men, $35 x 12 hours=$420) prep the house and spray out 1.3 sets.(1-day) maybe.
Same walls with open cell@ 3to3-1/2" thick.
.57 sets @ 16000 bd ft per set =$1138.00 material cost.(10 plastic bags of waste)3-men, ($48x12 hours= $576) can do this in 1 day.
You have $1138+$576+$15 garbage bags=$1729 o.c.
You have $2600+$420=$3020 c.c.
The main thing you have to watch is, which is the right material for your climate as pertaining to moisture drive? You need to understand this and be able to explain it to the customer. Don't install the wrong material and mess up a family's home.
An example of this is where I'm from in southeast Texas. We are bidding on a job where there is batt insulation, with 3/4" foam board covering it, in the floor of a house on piers. The foam board is installed between the floor joists and not sealed. Everything is wet.
We have to remove the existing insulation, let the carpenters repair, then spray 2" of closed cell as a moisture barrier. If I were to install 3-4" of open cell, the moisture would go through the foam and the foam would hold the wetness against the floor and rot it out.
People are depending on us as contractors to know the right answers to their problems, or if we don't know the answer, be able to find it. There are plenty of places to find it.
Tim Adams
Posted: Jul 07, 2013 07:34 PM
BG, thank a lot, that was very helpful.

And thanks for being willing to share info with a noob in the interest of protecting your industry.
chad harris
Posted: Nov 21, 2013 01:16 AM
Good Luck!!!!!

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