You can use rigid foam panels or do as Tom Silva does with nearly all houses these days: Hire a pro to install spray foam insulation. Basement Foam Board Insulation Pros: Some rigid foam products are water-resistant that can help limit moisture buildup and mildew growth. All XPS and EPS foam must by law be covered by a thermal (fire) barrier and if that is all you're putting in there for insulation, then you need furring sticks between the foam and the drywall. Building codes restrict the use of unprotected foam in habitable or accessible spaces. There are other reasons to cover it with drywall, but it may not need to be done at the time of construction. The problem with that application has always been that the foam board needed to be covered with a “thermal barrier” or “flame spread barrier” like drywall in order to meet local fire codes. Paul Fisette is a wood technologist and former director of the Building Materials Technology and Management program at the University of Massachussets in Amherst, Mass. Mineral fiber batts or blankets do curve and may be used in wall cavities including curved surfaces. Cover The Spray Foam With Fire-Retardant Spray. A 2-inch thick sheet of this rigid foam board insulation provides thermal resistance, or R-value, of R-10. Cover the insulation with a vapor barrier before you install it; all foam boards absorb water vapor. Since you already have foam insulation in place, however, you will need to find a suitable retrofit product to protect it or remove the above-grade foam (and add interior foundation insulation). Press drywall corner bead over outside corner of wall covered with Styrofoam™Brand Wallmate™Insulation. Is there a type of rigid foam insulation panel available that can be left exposed? Required fields are marked *. Pink, fluffy batts wedged tightly between studs, rafters, and joists insulate the space against exterior temperature changes. If you put spray foam insulation in a building, it needs a thermal barrier. However, code officials and rigid foam manufacturers have made progress since 2005. When the initial covering is installed then tile or fiberglass medium can be installed to complete your bathroom. When in doubt, it always pays to talk to your inspector during the design stage. 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Builder's Business, Performance Professionals, Recommended | 2 comments. Foam blocks airflow needs no vapor barrier and has a higher R-value per inch than loose fill or batts, so you'll get more protection with less depth. Also, the smoke that comes from rigid foam is thick and full of toxic gases. We are currently planning on building our first home and we’re making sure that everything is settle first before we start building. Tyvek is designed for new homes ONLY. It’s not uncommon for Tampa homes to have exposed fiberglass insulation in the basement or attic. If there's a fire in the building, a thermal barrier keeps the combustible spray foam from the flames to increase fire resistance. It is available in several thicknesses and R-values. At this point, we’ve covered the different facets of your rigid foam insulation options. 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