How to Make Styrofoam Insulation
Styrofoam, the blue foam that the Dow chemical company makes, is most often used for boat making and construction grade insulation. The insulation found at home improvement stores is generally expanded polystyrene foam. This is similar to Styrofoam, but not exactly the same. Expanded polystyrene foam is the most common material used for foam board insulation. It is a type of plastic, so making it at home would be virtually impossible. Using it as insulation, however, can be done at home for little cost. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Measure the area that you want to be insulated using the measuring tape. Foam insulation needs to be installed underneath the dry wall, so it is best to install it before hanging the dry wall. Unfinished basements and attics are ready for insulation.
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Purchase enough foam board insulation at your local hardware store to cover all surfaces measured.
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Install the foam board by cutting it to size with the utility knife and pushing it against the wall, in between framing 2-by-4 pieces of wood. Put two pieces side by side or one on top of another if needed to completely fill the space.
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Apply seam tape to cover all the seams once installation is complete. Seam tape can be found at your local hardware store. Seam tape is an important step to installing foam board insulation as much of the heating and cooling can escape through seams in the insulation.
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Repeat this process until all surface areas are covered. Once the insulation is installed, the dry wall can be hung or it can be left open.
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- Photo Credit house image by Cora Reed from Fotolia.com
