My house was built with the spray on cellulose. It is mixed with a glue in their truck. It fills every small space between the studs and it stays right there. It's a better way to go than just using batts. Money well spent.

Since it's cellulose, I wouldn't think there would be any problem for asthmatics.

dang i cannot spell!

that should be BETTER!

This spray on is the foam type that swells up and is in liquid form, it fills in the space and then they shave off any excess...I think I've decided, it's pretty much double the cost of regular batting insulation but I think it will save me $$ over the years, just wondered if anyone had the spray foam and had issues with it...(accessing electrical etc.)

Tara

I don't have the spray foam. I've seen it used in existing old houses where a remodel was going on and the walls were closed up. If the walls are open, they can use the sprayed cellulose with glue. What's the advantage of that as compared with the foam? I don't know--maybe someone else has more knowledge on it.

If you are going to have any rafter/attic areas sprayed, make sure that venting is either not or is required in your area. Some foam companies will claim no venting is needed ignoring county codes that require it, or areas of the country where venting is a good idea because of condensation issues on the EXTERIOR.Interior it typically doesn't allow for condensation build up because it completely fills the cavatie, but in some areas can condense on the outside causing rot, mold,etc.

Thanks Sierra and green...as far as I know this was icynene...it's supposed to be water based not sure about the glue part, they did cover up all soffits and the vent on the outside of the roof...EVERYTHING was sprayed...it is amazing that the temperature in there is now 20 degrees less...I hope mold won't be an issue...mold is rampant here in Huntsville, AL...but the soffits are on vinyl...so hopefully it will be an easy issue if we ever face it...I was told it had a lifetime guarantee and has the seal of approval from the asthma associations (lung etc.)...glad I went ahead and did it.

But now there will be no insulation between my walls...should I put some in anyway for sound??
Tara

Hey Tara, The foam is a complete envelope of the perimeters of the house eliminating the need to insulate ceilings that are normally done in a typical batts or sprayed cellulose application. If you wanted to insulate those areas to help deaden sound, that will make things considerably quiter, but if you are going for sound deadining, that gets more involved such as when you have a home theatre room and are going for complete sound control.I remember as a kid a friends house where all walls and ceilings were insulated,(fiberglass batts in those days),and the house was extemely quiet.

Being in alabama, i dont believe you will have the condensation issues that i mentioned as it is generally a problem in icy,freezing conditions that are lasting for days on end.You might run it by your foam installer for peace of mind, but even though your neck of the woods gets chilly in the winter at times, i think you have no worries.In your area, the foams biggest benefit will be to keep your house cooler in the hot summers as well as lower heating bills in the winter.There are differences of opinion about costs payback and how fast you will get a return, but i look at it this way: You will enjoy a very comfortable house throughout the year and are doing your part to have an energy efficient home.We were considering foam for our build, but was mislead by the only company servicing our area about venting (required), and in some cases where they sprayed homes in our area,the county made the homeowners rip it out and vent. This would have been a very costly ordeal for our build and was for those particular homeowners as the foam cannot be re-used.

Enjoy your comfortable and efficient home!Best of luck with the rest of your project.