Comments on: Open Cell Vs Closed Cell Foam Insulation http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/open-cell-vs-closed-cell-foam-insulation/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=open-cell-vs-closed-cell-foam-insulation Expert Home Improvement Advice Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:48:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David Whitehttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/open-cell-vs-closed-cell-foam-insulation/#comment-62575 David White Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:34:17 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=5947#comment-62575 Thanks for the quick reply. I will check when I get home and will send you a picture.All aside , tho I have 90% completed, and have not even started on the rim joists yet...I had a increase of 6 degrees F so far....my nonheated basement stays a firm 60 degrees F even with drastic temperature changes.Thanks,Dave Thanks for the quick reply. I will check when I get home and will send you a picture.

All aside , tho I have 90% completed, and have not even started on the rim joists yet…I had a increase of 6 degrees F so far….my nonheated basement stays a firm 60 degrees F even with drastic temperature changes.

Thanks,

Dave

]]> By: Toddhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/open-cell-vs-closed-cell-foam-insulation/#comment-62572 Todd Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:57:18 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=5947#comment-62572 David - Are you 100% sure you used EPS? Typically the foil faced foams are either XPS or Polyiso. The confusion comes from the pure definition of EPS which includes closed cell foam balls. The balls of foam are indeed a closed cell foam. However, the structure between balls is NOT. Depending on the brand and manufacturing the porosity of EPS foam can be quite high which makes it in effect an open cell foam.Wiki: <em>"Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and tough, closed-cell foam. It is usually white and made of pre-expanded polystyrene beads."</em>EPS-Foam Company: <em>"EPS foam by its nature is mostly air, and depending on the density of the foam, there will be more or less air between the fused closed cell beads of EPS. The higher the density, the more beads and consequently the less space for air between the beads.There is some confusion between water absorption with EPS foam and fusion of the beads. Because of the porosity of the foam, the water absorption is a product of how much air or space there is between the closed cell beads of EPS. It is therefore possible to have foam that has low water absorption and poor fusion, which makes for a poor quality product for use as a surfboard or paddleboard product."</em>Make sense? David – Are you 100% sure you used EPS? Typically the foil faced foams are either XPS or Polyiso. The confusion comes from the pure definition of EPS which includes closed cell foam balls. The balls of foam are indeed a closed cell foam. However, the structure between balls is NOT. Depending on the brand and manufacturing the porosity of EPS foam can be quite high which makes it in effect an open cell foam.

Wiki:
“Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and tough, closed-cell foam. It is usually white and made of pre-expanded polystyrene beads.”

EPS-Foam Company:
“EPS foam by its nature is mostly air, and depending on the density of the foam, there will be more or less air between the fused closed cell beads of EPS. The higher the density, the more beads and consequently the less space for air between the beads.

There is some confusion between water absorption with EPS foam and fusion of the beads. Because of the porosity of the foam, the water absorption is a product of how much air or space there is between the closed cell beads of EPS. It is therefore possible to have foam that has low water absorption and poor fusion, which makes for a poor quality product for use as a surfboard or paddleboard product.”

Make sense?

]]> By: David Whitehttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/open-cell-vs-closed-cell-foam-insulation/#comment-62570 David White Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:31:31 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=5947#comment-62570 Hello Todd, I was very upset when I read these forums and it was brought up that EPS is open celled, due to the fact that I completed 90% of my basement insulation with this product. I did some research and EPS is supposedly closed cell phone according to everyone else. Which is it?And if it is closed cell, do you think I will have future problems? I have a newly built poured concrete basement. The 2" EPS has a foil facing on it and plastic facing on the other side. Thanks very much..This website has helped me with alot of projects...and has very good information. I cant wait to do the attic hatch!! :) Thanks,Dave Hello Todd, I was very upset when I read these forums and it was brought up that EPS is open celled, due to the fact that I completed 90% of my basement insulation with this product. I did some research and EPS is supposedly closed cell phone according to everyone else. Which is it?

And if it is closed cell, do you think I will have future problems? I have a newly built poured concrete basement. The 2″ EPS has a foil facing on it and plastic facing on the other side. Thanks very much..This website has helped me with alot of projects…and has very good information. I cant wait to do the attic hatch!! :)
Thanks,

Dave

]]> By: Toddhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/open-cell-vs-closed-cell-foam-insulation/#comment-62191 Todd Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:58:00 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=5947#comment-62191 I try to avoid open cell foam altogether to be honest. If you ever get a leak it acts like a sponge. I've seen far too many situations where open cell foam turned into a nightmare because it holds water.EPS - Open Cell XPS - Closed Cell Polyiso - Closed Cell I try to avoid open cell foam altogether to be honest. If you ever get a leak it acts like a sponge. I’ve seen far too many situations where open cell foam turned into a nightmare because it holds water.

EPS – Open Cell
XPS – Closed Cell
Polyiso – Closed Cell

]]> By: Brianhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/open-cell-vs-closed-cell-foam-insulation/#comment-62179 Brian Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:44:14 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=5947#comment-62179 Did you mean that you would "Only" use closed cell foam, or Only use closed cell foam when dealing with moisture?also, is this correct: Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS)is open cell foam Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS)is open cell foam Polyisocyanurate is closed cell foamThanks, Brian Did you mean that you would “Only” use closed cell foam, or Only use closed cell foam when dealing with moisture?

also, is this correct:
Expanded polystyrene foam (EPS)is open cell foam
Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS)is open cell foam
Polyisocyanurate is closed cell foam

Thanks,
Brian

]]> By: Toddhttp://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/open-cell-vs-closed-cell-foam-insulation/#comment-54135 Todd Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:30:29 +0000 http://www.homeconstructionimprovement.com/?p=5947#comment-54135 Michael - The R values will depend on the manufacturer and thickness.There is no standard based on the price of a home.You would need to create an accurate energy model for the home to come up with those numbers. Michael – The R values will depend on the manufacturer and thickness.

There is no standard based on the price of a home.

You would need to create an accurate energy model for the home to come up with those numbers.

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