Foam and Baffles

You've probably already noticed the huge gaps and cracks in the Momplex. Mom certainly has, and commented on how she doesn't like drafts.

Well we are going to take care of that today!

Now remember, not only are we trying to get our Mom's a new house to live in, but we are also building super insulated to keep heat bills down. Getting these cracks filled is very important to keep Mom warm and not broke! Some people in Alaska pay upwards of $1000 a month to heat their homes in winter months!

Spray foam works great for sealing in cracks and gaps. It just sprays in.

We've invested in a spray gun so you can turn it off when you need to without spoiling a whole can.

Every inch of the Momplex is inspected and filled with spray foam where needed.

And of course, windows are spray foamed too.

And then you let the spray foam dry.

<p>But what to do with the excess foam?</p><br /><p><img src="http://ana-white.com/sites/default/files/spray foam doors windows21.jpg" alt="" /></p><p></p><p>We find a handsaw works best.</p>

The dried foam cuts easily off, flush with the wall. Another trick is to use a sharp, thin bladed knife.

<i>So that's why my shoulder was aching that day! Not from the handsaw.</i>

<p>And you are left with a nice clean window!</p><p></p><p><img src="http://ana-white.com/sites/default/files/spray foam doors windows20.jpg " alt="" /></p><p></p><p></p><p>And a nice big mess!</p><p></p>

After spray foaming all of the gaps and cracks, there's still the open eaves at the truss ends. We've got to put something in there to keep the blow in insulation in place.

We start by cutting a bunch of blocking and placing the "blocking kits" in between each truss.

The blocking kits are nailed in place with a piece of plywood covering.

But the plywood isn't enough.  Come a good wind, the blow in insulation will just fill up those sofits!

You can buy foam baffles specifically designed for this application for less than a buck each.

And they just get stapled in place.

NOTE: You actually don't need the plywood blocking for these foam baffles, but with the high winds up at the Momplex, we opted to put them in.  Cheap insurance.

The baffles went up really fast! 

Now we are one step closer to getting the Momplex fully insulated!

What's left?

- Vent Pipes in ceiling (done deal - will be blogging about in few days!)

- Plumbing Pipes for vents in ceiling (done deal too!)

- Electrical Boxes in ceiling with wire run to switches (still working on wiring)

- Vapor Barrier on ceiling

- Drywall hung on ceiling

- Insulation blown in ceiling

- Garage doors installed (happening right now!)

I feel pretty good about getting at least one Mom moved in by this year! 

So how do you insulate where you live?  Is insulating for hot weather the same as cold weather?  Have you used the baffles?  Do they hold up?  We'd love to know!