open vs. closed cell insulation

Minimac · 11-30-12, 02:08 PM

I'm in the midst of a new home build and looking now at insulation. Framing is standard stick build, 2x6. I don't think I can make the exterior walls as tight as I would like with fiberglass. Code requires R-19 walls (minimum) and R 38 ceilings. Meeting code is easy enough, but I'm not pleased with the performance of fiberglass. Is there a way to "tighten" it up? There doesn't seem to be too much difference, cost wise, between closed and open cell sprayed insulation on my exterior walls, but a huge difference in the attic prices. The closed cell attic prices I've gotten are so high, it is cost prohibitive. The open cell attic prices are really high too, but aren't out of the question yet. Is there that much difference between closed cell and open? Are there some other options available that won't break the bank?

S-F · 11-30-12, 06:03 PM

You could flash everything with open cell and then go cellulose.

gasstingy · 01-11-13, 05:01 PM

Have you made your decision and pulled the trigger yet? Kind of curious which insulation you went with. Having had our house foamed when we built it (open cell), I wouldn't do anything else. When we were doing our garage/workshop project, the 2x6 exterior walls were done in closed cell foam. A nice plus for the closed cell is I'm told that it adds structural rigidity. Either way, even with no heat in the building and a leaking homemade set of barn doors, it doesn't freeze even in miserable weather {note that I live in North Alabama while I say this}.

Minimac · 01-11-13, 09:41 PM

Haven't pulled the trigger yet, but after getting some estimates, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have the walls open cell foamed(5+"). The attic will get flashed with 1"- 2" open cell, then a whole lot of cellulose, blown in. Hoping to get to approx. R-40+ in the attic for starters. I still have a lot of plumbing and wiring to run first, though. Thanks for sharing your experience!

11-30-12, 02:08 PM	#1
Minimac Lurking Renovator Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 29 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	open vs. closed cell insulation I'm in the midst of a new home build and looking now at insulation. Framing is standard stick build, 2x6. I don't think I can make the exterior walls as tight as I would like with fiberglass. Code requires R-19 walls (minimum) and R 38 ceilings. Meeting code is easy enough, but I'm not pleased with the performance of fiberglass. Is there a way to "tighten" it up? There doesn't seem to be too much difference, cost wise, between closed and open cell sprayed insulation on my exterior walls, but a huge difference in the attic prices. The closed cell attic prices I've gotten are so high, it is cost prohibitive. The open cell attic prices are really high too, but aren't out of the question yet. Is there that much difference between closed cell and open? Are there some other options available that won't break the bank?

01-11-13, 05:01 PM	#3
gasstingy Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Arab, AL Posts: 491 Thanks: 109 Thanked 49 Times in 43 Posts	Have you made your decision and pulled the trigger yet? Kind of curious which insulation you went with. Having had our house foamed when we built it (open cell), I wouldn't do anything else. When we were doing our garage/workshop project, the 2x6 exterior walls were done in closed cell foam. A nice plus for the closed cell is I'm told that it adds structural rigidity. Either way, even with no heat in the building and a leaking homemade set of barn doors, it doesn't freeze even in miserable weather {note that I live in North Alabama while I say this}.

01-11-13, 09:41 PM	#4
Minimac Lurking Renovator Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 29 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Haven't pulled the trigger yet, but after getting some estimates, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have the walls open cell foamed(5+"). The attic will get flashed with 1"- 2" open cell, then a whole lot of cellulose, blown in. Hoping to get to approx. R-40+ in the attic for starters. I still have a lot of plumbing and wiring to run first, though. Thanks for sharing your experience!