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Foil backed rigid insulation??

Daniel Weaver| Posted inGreen Building Techniqueson

Hi all,

A friend has left over rigid backed foam insulation and asked me my thoughts on using it to completely fill the rafter space (no air space) for a portion of a roof on small houseboat. He want to use two layers of the foam (both foil backed). Orientation of foil? Bad idea altogether?

Thanks,

Daniel

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay||#1

    Daniel,
    You can do it, as long as each piece of foam is installed with air sealing in mind. In most cases, that means that the perimeter of each piece of foam needs to be sealed with canned spray foam.

    The orientation of the foil is irrelevant, since it won't be facing an air space. The foil doesn't hurt and it doesn't help. It can face any way you want.

  2. Daniel Weaver||#2

    Thanks Martin - to clarify: Do you mean that the entire face of all four edges need to be foamed (buttered) or merely the seams between the foam boards once set in place?

  3. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay||#3

    Daniel,
    Just the perimeter of each piece. Not the faces.

  4. Daniel Weaver||#4

    Awesome - thanks for the quick turnaround - really appreciate the help.

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