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9 Answers
Corrugated metal indoors (as ceiling/wall panel)

Dear experts, I need some advice.

Instead of drywall we want the 'barn' look. We want to install these wavy corrugated metal panels on the ceiling and perhaps walls.

If you've been to Joe's Crabshack, that's what we want it to look like, roughly.

are there any concerns using galvanized steel like that indoors?
how about air quality?
fire hazards?

thank you so much

Asked By Don J. | Jun 19 13
3 Answers
Spray Foam Odor Help

Hello and thanks for looking at my post. I'm obviously new to this and am here out of desperation. I had a company install ThermoSeal closed and open cell into my home recently (last week 6/12,13,14). The closed cell has no odor but the open cell has a strong chemical odor. I've left windows open and have 3 fans going. The company put closed cell in all 2x4 framing and 2" on the roof deck then covered it with 6-8" (well thats what they said...Ive found many areas they were short or thin and they are returning to fix it) all of the 2x6 framing has the open cell.

Asked By joe k | Jun 17 13
1 Answer
Question regarding rigid foam under slab (for Martin)

I'm building a home in Ottawa, On. (zone 6)

I'm laying 2 inches of EPS under the slab (R-8) and 4 inches of EPS on the interior foundation walls. (R-16)

I will be installing Rub-R-Wall and Geo Wrap over the exterior of the walls.

From reading previous posts, I will be adding my poly directly above the foam, directly below slab.

Question: Can I tape up all the seams with recommended foam tape? Will this help? just so we can walk over the foam while installing the foam on the walls.

Asked By Stephane Vizzari | Jun 19 13
6 Answers
Insulate PEX?

If all plumbing lines are within the envelope, and a recirculating pump is installed, what might the payback period be for insulating PEX hot water lines?

Because the advantage of PEX is that the pipes are easily curved around obstacles etc., I bet insulation coverage wouldn't be more than 90% in even careful installations.

In any case, insulation would serve no purpose whenever the wait between uses exceeded a couple of hours, no?

Is this one of those cases where the money would be better spent on more insulation elsewhere?

Asked By David McNeely | Jun 18 13
11 Answers
Shortchanged on spray foam

OK - So I began to rip down some of the smelly open cell foam and realized that the foam guy
completely ripped me off with the closed cell that was supposed to be under the open cell. There was supposed to be 2" of closed cell....I'm lucky if there is 3/4.

My question is do I leave the envelope alone and just live with it or do I have someone come in and rip it all out and seek legal action for the removal and for the shortchanging on the closed cell?

I'm supposed to have R-38 in the roof decking. I'm lucky if I have R-24 or R-30 in some areas.

Asked By joe k | Jun 19 13
13 Answers
Pink vs. blue XPS foam board under slab? ...or EPS?

Hi...is there a preference between pink and blue XPS foam board to be used under slab?

...and any drawbacks to using EPS in place of the XPS foam?

Thanks!

Asked By Eric Mikkelsen | Jun 18 13
3 Answers
How to retrofit a metal skin pole building?

I am up in Seabeck/Silverdale WA State (4c zone) area and have inherited a pole
building work shop.

It was not used for a long time and mice had gotten into the insulation and destroyed it.

Asked By Kelsey Thomas | Jun 18 13
15 Answers
Closed-cell foam on underside of roof with no AC: Do I need to vent?

I am working with a local energy efficiency contractor. They are replacing my old roof (which badly needs replacing) with a new roof. They will be spraying five or so inches of closed cell foam directly against the decking. This will fully seal my attic. My question is, how does this work if you do not have air conditioning in the house, other than window units in the bedrooms and one in the living room.

Asked By Rob Graff | May 7 13
1 Answer
Geothermal closed-loop heat pump vs. lightning

I live in central Oklahoma. My house was hit by lightning and we have hail damage.AC (among other things) is out.

The HVAC guy has experience with the geothermal system, installing, etc, but not with lightning strikes. They have already replaced two circuit boards...still not working.

Catastrophe insurance adjuster has experience with lightning, but not with geothermal heat pump system. His bottom line...can the unit be repaired or will it need to be replaced?

I just NEED coolness. Please help this very hot early 50's wife!!!

Any help is appreciated.

Asked By tami weathers | Jun 18 13
3 Answers
Will permeable pavers be useful over clay?

We need a new driveway and would like it to help with drainage problems. We sit at the bottom of a hill and have a big roof. The old drive slopes and has inlets and subterranean pipes to direct water from hill and downs spouts to street. The underlying soil is clay and I mean clay, as in the clay that is used to make pottery. I don't think permeable pavers would be of any use here as there is very limited percolation into the clay. Am I thinking correctly and if so what would be a good material to use to make the driveway?

Thanks

Asked By barbara matheson | Jun 18 13
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