expanded or extruded?

[russ455]

i have the concrete floor down in my new 26x40 pole barn with 12ft ceiling. had insulation blown into attic space. now it's time for wall insulation. Location is NW indiana.
Thinking of putting 2" or 3" of foam board in. water absorption and insulation properties look similar- there is a substantial cost difference. so, which do I want to choose? pink extruded or white expanded ?

if I do fiberglass batts it seems I would still want the bottom 12" or so to be foam to prevent wicking up any moisture

 

[carlaisle]

Fiberglass does not wick moisture.

 

[russ455]

I swear a couple of those utube videos I watched mentioned retaining moisture and wicking up from the floor.
I think fiberglass would be easiest

 

[Cobra5150]

I swear a couple of those utube videos I watched mentioned retaining moisture and wicking up from the floor.

Maybe the facing on the insulation is what’s wicking.

 

[ericm]

Seems like if there is moisture in the walls you have way more problems than just the insulation.

 

[PWC Repair]

As for just insulating........save the money and go with the white stuff. BUT, if it's located anywhere that it will be unprotected, it breaks/chips/crumbles easily. Just be aware of that.

 

[finn]

Use the pink or blue stuff. I used some of the white stuff in my basement along one wall, and regret it.

Plus, look at the fire rating. I think the white stuff is worse, but don’t have any data.

 

[WisJim]

I've gotten the white expanded foam insulation cheap as used from industrial reroofing jobs. I also found that mice will dig tunnels through it, so I would be wary of using it where mice could get at it. Oh, and if is exposed, chickens love it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

now it's time for wall insulation. Location is NW indiana.
Thinking of putting 2" or 3" of foam board in.

Hopefully you have an external vapor barrier (or used Zip System Sheathing with tape).

Use what ever insulation you want ! Cheapest and easiest to install. Blown in (with a skrim sheet to hold it until interior finish wall is installed) is fine. The only one I would not use is blown in cellulose (unless the interior is heated and cooled). It would retain moisture from hot, humid days.

 

[u2slow]

I like mineral wool (i.e. roxul) because it can't grow or harbour mold even if it becomes damp. I find it's a little nicer to handle, cut, and fit than fibreglas.

The pink/blue EPS is a costly way to achieve your R value.

I'm loosely aware the white foam doesn't have the same flame/fire resistance. That's why you see it used under, and against concrete mainly.