• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Start Here
  • Money Pit Podcast
  • Leave a Review
The Money Pit house logo

The Money Pit

Home Improvement Tips & Podcasts

  • Media Kit
  • Affiliates
  • Ask a Question
  • Spaces
    • Outdoor Living
    • Kitchens
    • Bathrooms
    • Garages & Sheds
    • Basements & Crawlspaces
    • Home Exteriors
  • Reno/Repair
    • Air Conditioning
    • Windows
    • Floors
    • Roofs & Gutters
    • Insulation
    • Lighting & Wiring
  • Popular Topics
    • Storage & Organization
    • Painting & Decorating
    • Cleaning
    • Pests & Wildlife
    • Buying or Selling a Home
  • Features
    • Green Home
    • Pet Friendly
    • Kid Spaces
    • DIY
    • Quick Tips
  • Podcasts
    • The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast
    • Money Pit Minute Podcast
    • Your Calls, Our Answers Podcast
    • Top Products Podcast
    • ProFiles Podcast
Man painting a white kitchen

Expandable Foam Insulation

Expandable Foam Insulation

Podcasts Your Calls, Our Answers Podcast
FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmail
The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo
Leslie Segrete & Tom Kraeutler, Hosts of The Money Pit by The Hosts Leave a Comment
  • iTunes logo
  • Google Podcasts logo
  • Spotify logo
  • Chartable logo

LESLIE: Alright, now we’ve got Mac in Texas who has an insulation question. What can we do for you today?

 
MAC: Hi. I have about a ten-year-old new home and I am trying to figure out what will be more efficient; adding existing insulation with a radiant barrier versus the – enclosing the attic with that spray foam insulation and I’m just kind of curious as what y’all think pros and cons and which one will probably be more efficient. I know the spray-in is going to be probably a little more expensive but kind of take that out of the mix and I’d like to hear your thoughts on that.
 
TOM: Well, if you use a spray-in-place insulation, you’re going to do a much better job of sealing up any chases (ph) or other places where you can get a transfer of hot or cold air between the attic and the house but it’s a lot more work, that’s for sure. A basic insulation coupled with a radiant barrier in Texas is a good idea and probably least expensive. Whether or not you’ll get the payback by going with the foam, hard to tell. Depends a lot also on how long you’re going to be in that house, Mac.
 
MAC: OK.
 
TOM: You’re going to be there, you know, a really long time, you may get the payback. Doubt it would have – you’d be able to make an argument that your house is worth more with one versus the other.
 
MAC: OK. I plan to be there quite a long time.
 
TOM: OK. The expandable foam is not a bad way to go but also remember this: once you do that, makes it really hard for you to make changes like running wires or extra lights and things like that; another thing to consider.
 
MAC: OK. Alright.
 
TOM: I would go easy. You know, there’s so many other things that you could do to save money in your house and improve your energy-efficiency. I wouldn’t put all my marbles in one basket like that.
 
MAC: Got it. OK.
 
TOM: Alright?
 
MAC: Spend the money on adding insulation and get the radiant barrier.
 
LESLIE: Mm-hmm.
 
TOM: Exactly, and then look for the other things that you can do. You know, get an energy audit done. I bet you’ll find a ton of other things that you can do that will save you some money and not cost nearly as much.
 
MAC: OK.
 
TOM: Alright, Mac? Good luck with that project. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
Podcasts Your Calls, Our Answers Podcast

Related Posts

The Money Pit Tips & Tricks text logo with lightbulb

How to Select a Spray Foam Insulation Contractor

Insulate and Air-Seal Your Home with Icynene Spray Foam Insulation | Video

Man applying spray foam in attic

Seal Out Drafts and Insulate Your Home with Icynene Spray Foam Insulation

how to install insulation

How to Insulate Attic with Spray Foam Insulation

Young couple taking measurements

Top 5 Home Improvement Mistakes

The Money Pit Tips & Tricks text logo with lightbulb

Spray Foam Insulation Concerns Addressed: Learn the features benefits of using spray foam insulation in your home.

Related Podcasts

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

Choosing Efficient Insulation

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

Expanding Foam Attic Insulation

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

Icynene vs. Fiberglass Attic Insulation

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

Spray Foam Insulation for Sill Plates: Open or Closed Cell?

insulation when building new house

Best Insulation When Building New House

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

Roof Insulation Tips

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmail

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Trending Posts

Get Ready for the Game with The Money Pit’s $1,000 Tailgate Treasures Sweepstakes!

Attic flooring added to increase storage space

How to Floor Your Attic for Storage Without Wrecking Your Roof

Best Garage Floor: Tiles, Mat or Paint?

Garage Heater Dyna-Glo 30,000 BTU Natural Gas Blue Flame Vent Free Wall Heater, White

Best Heaters for a Garage: Forced Air, Infrared or Portable?

Stock your DIY liquor dispenser!

How To Make A Liquor Dispenser | Video

Ask Us Anything

Ask A Question

Favorite Posts

Attic flooring added to increase storage space

How to Floor Your Attic for Storage Without Wrecking Your Roof

How to Get Rid of Thousand-Leggers Without Getting Grossed Out

Get Ready for the Game with The Money Pit’s $1,000 Tailgate Treasures Sweepstakes!

Best Garage Floor: Tiles, Mat or Paint?

Popular Podcasts

Repair Crumbling Cinder Block

Electric Meter

Service Entry Cable and Electric Meter: Who is responsible for repair?

dirt to use around house foundation

Type of Dirt to Use Around House Foundation

What Smells Like Burning Rubber in My Home?

Newsletter

Get weekly updates with the latest tips and tricks to save money in your home.

As Us Anything

Ask A Question

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • About
  • Media Kit
  • Partners
  • Posts
  • Endorsement Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy & Solution
  • Radio Stations

Copyright © 2001–2023 · The Money Pit · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme

Ask A Question