Foil faced bubble wrap revisited---How does it hold up?

Cosmo_3

Sorry for my long absence from posting on the wall!

How many of you have long-term experience with under slab flexible insulation for use w/ radiant? On new construction I do for builders I have always spec-ed 2" Structural foam which the Builder's subs would install along with the wire mesh. I am getting pressure from my preferred builder to switch to the "Insultarp" like product to save him money on installing the under slab insulation, to which I will always object. I wonder about any products that don't use foil, and magic to work that can be rolled out?

So- what do you guys think????????


Cosmo Valavanis
Dependable PHC Inc

marc

U.L. listed

is what we need for the inspector to pass the insulation inspection, so we continue to install and recommend only rigid foam insulation with the proper listing and ratings. marc

Cosmo_3

U.L. Listing

I am on the phone right now with U.L. will let you know what I come up with!!

Cosmo Valavanis
Dependable PHC Inc

Cosmo_3

Get this

According to U.L. Customer service rep I talked to for 1/2 an hour.... There is no insulation product U.L. Listed for use under a concrete slab. The 2" structural foam I have been using - Owens Corning Foamular 250 is listed as a roof insulating panel. I say again, according to U.L. just because the foam board we use everyday is U.L. listed and registered to provide the stamped R-value, that is only valid when the product is used as part of a roofing system. Real nice to hear heh? Lets see I have how many jobs already done.......

Cosmo Valavanis
Dependable PHC Inc

Steve Garson

My opinion is that the foil/bubble insulation would be squeezed into a conductive foil by the weight of a concrete pour. For walls and ceilings, that's another matter.

Steve in Boston

marc

rating

is stated at an R-10, bubble wrap, insultarp, what is the rated R-value

Cosmo_3

Exactly the problem,

There is no r-value to the bubble (i wanna make it pop) stuff. The insul tarp stuff makes claims, but how can 1/2" of foam be better than 2"?

Cosmo Valavanis
Dependable PHC Inc

kevin coppinger_4

tell the GC....

to stick to the framing and let the subs do what they know best...plain and simple...the stuff is junk and will not work well. There are No shortcuts. kpc

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Jeff Lawrence_24

foam board

Faom board is fine for some of you, but where I am it's a feast for the termites. I tell my customers that foam is good, but it's a superhighway for termites and carpenter ants.

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steve gates

my ? is

plastic leaks air. so when will the air leave the bubble? A ballon only last a couple of days.

Unknown

I believe a sand layer under the foam is supposed to prevent that.

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Unknown

No need for opinion. There have been several studies in the last year and a half and they all point to the same answer: this stuff is an R1 or R2 under slabs. You're partially correct there. It's not that it's smooshed into a conductive foil, it's that the reflectivity component of their insulative value is completely useless under a slab with concrete in direct contact with the insulation.

That R1 or 2 is worlds better than not installing insulation at all, but it isn't even in the ballpark of rigid foam.

You're spot on with the walls/ceilings though. Those are the only places I would ever consider spending the money on reflective insulation, and even then you need to make sure the insulation is not in direct contact with what it is insulating!

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S Ebels

Cosmo

The few jobs i have had to use the flexible foam type products on, have most definitely not performed as well as rigid foam. Not even close. I'd tell the GC that if he will assume responsibility for the function of the heating system , you'll be glad to install anything he wants. If he won't then stick to what you know will work. I think you know the answer already.

Good Luck.

Ted_9

Thanks for clearing that up Bob.

PATRIOT HEATING & COOLING, INC.

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