Agribalance vs. Icynene

[75gmck25]

I plan to use spray foam to insulate 2x4 walls and need to reach a minimum R13. I will use the same product on the underside of the roof deck, but a thicker layer to get R38.

The company said they can use Icynene to hit R13, but could also use Agribalance and get about R16 in a 2x4 wall. I don't have the price quote yet, so I'm not sure how much more Agribalance would cost. Anyone have experience with using Agribalance? It seems to be a newer product than Icynene and there isn't as much data on it.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[yeldogt]

Icynene -- is really a "brand" . See they have closed cell now. Years ago it was all open and the first around me with dealer/installers.

Open cell has a place in some climates -- Closed is a better all around product. Had a few estimates from them at various projects in the 00's -- they were high pressure.

When the best thing you can say about your product is that it will allow water to flow through it when the roof leaks -- that's not saying much. I always said -- my roofs don't leak.

 

[strutaeng]

Is this getting inspected? I was under the impression that 2x4 cavity insulation alone was (R13) was not up the current code? They require R20 for all, expect Zones 1 & 2. What zone are you in? Zone 3?

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/I...esidential-energy-efficiency?site_type=public

Looks like at R6.5/in would achieve higher than R13 in a 2x4 stud wall. I'm not familiar with spray foam, but for the R38 I believe they have to do 2-3 coats? Make sure you stipulate a "minimum" thickness, not an average.

I recall you are doing an addition, right? So no blower door test?

Around here a blower door test is now required for new construction residential, but not for additions. Green energy code or something like that that the city adopted. We have third party inspectors for this stuff.

 

[dcg9381]

Roughly closed cell is R6/in and open is R3.5/in.

I think we're talking about two different "brands" and maybe two different "products" (open vs closed cell).

I think the skill of the applier will make a bigger difference than choosing a different "brand" of the same product.

In wall cavity fill 2x4 they spray to the outside of the studs then come back and shave the excess off.

Inspections / requirement vary substantially - let alone between VA and TX.

 

[yeldogt]

Most new is 2x6 -- but you can get to code with 2x4 and closed cell. With a retrofit/ remodel it is what it is.

You can't cut the closed easily if it's over sprayed ... plus it's an expense. I have seen the open done that way because it's so soft they have to wait

The closed cell guys go over the job as they are doing it to remove excess on stud faces ... etc.

 

[75gmck25]

Sorry about being so slow to get back to respond. We've been working hard to get ready for inspection.

I'm doing an addition, and the requirement here is walls R13 and roof/ceiling R38. I do not have to do a blower test. It gets a little confusing around here, since 5 miles away in DC they require R20, while the city of Alexandria, Virginia requires R13 in walls.

The company offered either Agribalance or Icynene, both in open cell. I got their quote back for Agribalance but he didn't even price the Icynene option, so I've asked for a revised quote. He told me they could also do closed cell, but its not used as often in this area because it costs quite a bit more and goes above the minimum R value needed here.

I have no specific preference either way, and just want something that works well over the long run. Icynene has a long track record, while Agribalance is relatively new and not as common.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[yeldogt]

How big is the addition ? Percentage of house? Type? Addition and also a remodel?

I did a flash and batt on two large single story additions to my big cape ... I really think when roof area is a large part of a remodel ... closed cell is a better product.

Get a quote from a closed cell .. ask about flash and batt price.

IMO - The brand is not important within foam types. You want an experienced foam person.

 

[dcg9381]

I have no specific preference either way, and just want something that works well over the long run.

As long as it's installed correctly any/all of these product will be superior to traditional insulation.

In terms of "is it worth it" to upgrade insulation - depends on your heating/cooling costs to some degree and the cost of going from open to closed cell.

Focus on the ceiling first before worrying about the walls.

There are other ways to hit good R value on exterior walls - including using foam sheeting, huber zip system, etc.

 

[75gmck25]

The company that provided the initial estimate is Southland Insulators, and they have a good reputation based recommendations from other folks who've used them. They offer both products, but initially only provided an estimate for Agribalance. I should get the Icynene estimate today.

The new addition is two stories of 150 sq ft, for a total of about 300 sq ft. The existing house is two story, about 640 sq ft per floor. I plan to use foam on both old and new roof deck (about 790 sq ft), in the 2x4 exterior walls of the new addition (about 35 linear feet, two stories tall), and a 3 foot tall block wall in the conditioned crawl space.

I'm satisfied that open cell foam will work fine to get the required insulation, but am just trying to compare the trade-offs between Agribalance vs. Icynene. Once I get prices on both it may be a more clear trade-off, but I'm also looking for any known reason to avoid either product.

Bruce