HOME HANDYMAN
Foam insulation gets high rating for roof gables, attics

By Glenn Haege

Q. I wonder about the foam technology that claims to have the highest R-value. Seal Tech, www.sealtechinsulation.com, is a company that uses Icynene foam. Do you recommend using this foam over blown-in loose fiberglass for insulating an existing home?

A. It depends upon whether you want to use the hot-roof or cold-roof theory of insulation.

Foam is used to insulate the underside of the roof and gables. It cuts off attic ventilation. Fiberglass and cellulose insulation insulate the floor of the attic and unrestricted soffit and ridge ventilation is required.

The traditional approach is the cold roof, fiberglass or cellulose insulation method. That does not mean that it is better, just dominant at the present time.

Glenn Haege, who writes this column for the Detroit News, also hosts "Ask the Handyman," a syndicated radio show heard on 195 stations nationwide. You can contact him via e-mail: editor@flashcom.net. See www.masterhandyman.com. Volume prohibits personal answers.