Comments on: Soy Based Foam Insulation: What It Is, and Why You Should Use It

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:49:48 +0000

Can anyone tell me where I can buy the aerosol cans of Soy Seal?
Thanks kindly

By: Drew

Drew — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:00:24 +0000

“I’m wondering if there is any experience with rodents eating soy-based home insulation.” I haven’t seen that problem. Heatlok Soy and some of the other soy-based brands aren’t food for critters or insects. The most you have to really worry about is having termites burrow into it. It’s not a food source, but it happens in areas with bad termite infestations.

By: John

John — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 10:27:40 +0000

It is true that “soy”-based foam is mostly petroleum-based. But so is nearly everything that houses are made from today, from the basement concrete, which requires HUGE amounts of fossil energy for its production, to the asphalt shingles. Ditto for glass in windows and fiberglass insulation, which require much energy for manufacture.
But here is my main point. You should report on the blowing agents that are used in foam insulation, because these are usually HFCs or pentane, which are bad greenhouse gases. The HFCs are especially bad (see Great Stuff in the handy spray can). If either is listed in the MDA, it should be boycotted. You can find spray foams that use water as the blowing agent. Only such foams can be called green. You sacrifice a little convenience and a lower initial R value, though the long-term R value is the same (once the greenhouse gas has escaped into your home and the atmosphere.) By the way, gasses other than CO2 are becoming a huge part of anthropogenic greenhouse warming, so this is a real issue. If you need help with research or documentation of any of the above, contact me.

By: gail

gail — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:48:41 +0000

First thank you for the informative article.
I have a question about the off gassing, if the soy based product contains petroleum based products how is it that it doesn’t off gas?

thanks
gail

By: Dennis

Dennis — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:35:38 +0000

Your article only covers one side of using spray foam insulation. To be fair to your readers, there are other considerations that need to be considered before spray foam is used in the attic.

First, if the spray foam is used on the uderside of the roof sheathing there is the concern of trapped moisture in the roofing system’s structural components. The spray foam insulations do not allow detection of roof leaks that occur often in roofing systems. These undetected leaks can lead to structural failure of roofing members. Second, most asphalt roofing shingle manufacturers will not warranty their product (or reduce their warranty) if spray foam insulation is used without proper ventilation of the roofing deck. Special construction of the roof deck (additional cost) is needed to provide ventilation to the roof deck. Lastly, a dedicated mechanical ventilation system and ducting are recommended to exchange the “stale” inside air with “fresh” outside air since spray foam construction leads to a tighter building envelope. Only a dedicated mechanical ventilation system can provide adequate protection from the negative effects of indoor humidity, pollutants, microorganisms, combustion appliances and odors.

Your article was informative about the soy-based spray foam product. But, it is also important that potential users understand all factors so informed decisions can be made.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:09:03 +0000

I’ve read about rodent problems with soy-based insulation on automotive wiring. I have one friend that experienced more than $5000.00 damage to their Toyota. I’m wondering if there is any experience with rodents eating soy-based home insulation. Having had a terrible rodent problem when I first bought my house, I wouldn’t even consider installing something that might bring that problem back!

By: Gary Schumacher

Gary Schumacher — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:00:12 +0000

Great bunch of info.One thing that is seldom mentioned is the actual thickness that one can use.It is suggested to have R 20 in walls and R 40 in ceilings–even R 50.
From what I have read,it should not be used over 5-6 inches thick.Therefore you cant get the high R value for the ceiling.
R 20 in the walls would allow you to use 2 x 4 as opposed to 2 x 6.
Part of the efficientcy of spray foam is the sealing from air leaks.Is it possible to use 2 inches of spray foam and then use batts to finish it off?
If that could be done,it would help with the cost.
I did have an industrial building built in the 70`s.I had 20 in the walls and 40 in the ceiling.It was 5400 sq ft.The heat bill was 1/4 of the amount of a similar building with less insulation.I also used high efficient outside air furnace.The other company used unit heaters.
2 things that stand out was,my building increased in value 300% in 20 years.Yes there was inflation,but the insulation also was a great part of that.
The other thing was,the cost to heat.The last year I had the building the cost for the year to heat was 1400.00 and the other company was 4800.00 .These are CDN dollars.The first year mine was 678.00 and his was 1800.00.
I spent about 3500.00 extra dollars to insulate.I paid back well.
gns1544@yahoo.com

By: Chris Bolton

Chris Bolton — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:28:28 +0000

I very much enjoyed your article and will refer back to it as a launching off point.

One issue though in which there is some debate is the production of the soybean themselves as being truly “green”. Many American farmers are now growing GMO soy products, and “RoundUp Ready” soybeans. The use of these technologies does come at a cost, both to the farmer as well as the environmental impact of a monoculture crop production reducing biodiversity. Although roundup ready soy reduces pesticide use, ironically it does increase herbicide use.
Although a better alternative to using a petrochemical product, and using spray foam insulation quite a bit, as a timberframer, I’m not 100% sold on the idea of raw materials coming from an outfit like Monsanto as being truly a Green Product. Greener, yes, but Green … I’m not entirely sure.
But thank you for taking the time to write the article.

Regards

By: Jordi

Jordi — Mon, 31 May 2010 13:16:23 +0000

I had a soy-based insulation blown into my attic, front wall and some basement joints about two years ago. The attic is totally sealed and my contractor said it was necessary to make a thermal envelope. The house is old- 1796. I live in PA, no central AC, oil-fueled radiator heat. Now it seems there is a lot of humidity in the attic. I am not sure if it is closed or open cell.

Anyone know if high levels of humidity is a problem? Does the attic really have to be sealed off?

By: Russell G. Namie

Russell G. Namie — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:16:22 +0000

I am checking into removing the attic’s fiberglass and having open-cell foam sprayed. We are in a ” heating ” climate ( PA ) and I am still undecided about doing the attic floor or the roof rafters. No HVAC equipment is in the attic. Does anyone know if Demilac is better than Lapolla? Is Lapolla better than Bayer, or Icynene? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, RgN