Closed Cell foam is the Lexus of insulation. Let me show you how I’m using it in the roofline of a 150 year old Austin home.
Matt Risinger
www.MattRisinger.com
source
Closed Cell Foam Insulation :: Risinger Goes Rogue

Closed Cell foam is the Lexus of insulation. Let me show you how I’m using it in the roofline of a 150 year old Austin home.
Matt Risinger
www.MattRisinger.com
source
What is R value?
A big insulation company here in Massachusetts, is saying to use R-38 worth of open cell insulation in a cathedral ceiling instead of closed cell. Why?
Are the potential fears of fumes being released anything to worry about or is that just a bunch of drama?
… well, and because its epoxy. Be careful when you hire someone to do this. If not mixed properly or allowed time to harden between coat, it can remain soft and off gas toxins into your home forever.
You say that it is a moister barrier, won't all the wood rot then? and there will be mould in the attic? Because you have a constant flow of moisture from inside the house, showers, aspirating etc. And all that moisture has to get out somewhere.
Ok go, use tenaciously in a sentence..
Don't used closed cell… It ends up gaping at the edges of where it sets.. so overtime it shrinks causing gaps. House movement causes gaps. FOAM DOESN'T MOVE.
So.. so much for your Air barrier… as moisture laden air can now get in these gaps.
The moisture is then traped between substrate and an impermeable vapour barrier (the foam). it will rot wood
Have you ever thought of using closed cell on the outside of the house and roof as a monolithic barrier? And then just use regular osb Sheets instead of zip. I know Comercial applications where they spray it on flat roofs
some people confused http://blog.polytechinc.com/open-vs-closed-cell-foam
And this is in the San Antonio area
I live in a dome house no attic , Can this stuff be used on the top side of the roof , direct sunlight? I've been painting the roof white w/ Henry's but it only lasts about 5 years. Thanks
Great idea but how do get at cables that are damaged
Toxic Junk also closes in the radon gas in the homes waste of time and money .. your home has to breathe
I like your videos, however I am frequently disappointed that you don't show more of the houses you are building. I would love to simply see a walk-through on different houses you are building, pointing out features, techniques and special methods you have needed to use on it. For example there was a beautiful staircase in the background of one of them, but we didn't get a good look at it. Maybe you could do a series where you simply guide tours through your houses under construction so we can just enjoy the architecture and methods used.
Anyone you recommend for the Houston area?
I'm a retired pilot with > 29,000hr aloft…in aviation, we call this "wet wing" structural rigidity…your work is awesome
Hi All, I want to make my garage into a Wood-shop year round on LI, NY. Relatively mild winters. The roof is 2×4 constructon and there’s no ridge vent. The soffit is small at 4.5”. Would spray foam work for me?
Does spray foam cause any potental issues with wiring overheating. I.e Does the electrician need to derate the circuit capacity due to the cable being completely surrounded by thermal insulation thus preventing the dissipation of heat from within the cable itself? Thanks.
Hello Matt,
By using a closed cell spray foam insulation applied directly to the roof can we eliminate the need for a soffit ventilation system and is there a need to vent the attic at all?
Does not look like it will last. Shrinks? They always say it will last you just need to get a professional to do it. Feel like I have heard that before.
Can i use open cell first and then closed cell later, let's say spray the open cell first for first layer and then spray the closed cell on top of the open cell, would it stick and anyone been trying to do this?
Matt I've learned so much from your videos. Keep up the good work! I have a question… I just bought a 1993 outside of Houston. It has the normal blown-in insulation in the attic and temps in the attic easily reach 130-140s. I'm a big DIY guy so can I get fiberglass batts and install between the rafters or nail up 4×8 sheets of foam to the rafters to create a conditioned attic space. Basically is there a way I can create the conditioned attic without hiring a closed cell foam company to come spray the underside of the roof?
What's with the zodiac symbol?
Hi Matt, we in Brazil are very greatful for your videos, can you explain how gonna happen the vapor and air flow through the closed cell foam?
i hear you say it fills the cavity but the spot you interviewed from looks like half of the 2×4 cavity is covered or filled.
Hey Matt, any health concerns with spray foam? I have only heard of speculation so far, but nothing conclusive.
Some drawback using spray-foam (in my opinion):1. It has to be mixed perfectly. if the amount of hardener is too low or isn't fulling mixed, the foam never fully cures and outgasses VOCs for years. if it does not cure, you will need to rip out the framing and plywood and replace it all, where the spray foam is applied, which can cost big money. Youtube has lots of videos about spray foam horrors.2. Spray foam Makes repair or changes difficult for wiring & plumbing. If you need to run new wiring or plumbing, repair a leaky pipe, its going to be a real hassle. If you have a leak in your roof, its going to make it difficult to notice and repair. 3. Outgassing toxic fumes in a fire. if you have a fire in your home its going quickly fill your home with toxic fumes. FWIW: I would recommend caulking or spray sealant on framing, and use Roxul rigid bats. Roxul does not burn or outgass and has the highest fire-resistant of all insulation materials. It also hydrophobic (no mold growth). Roxul bats can be removed for repair. Roxul bats are semi-rigid so they won't sag or settle over time like fiberglass or cellulose.For roofs with limited space for insulation SIP panels can be used instead of standard plywood to add more insulation and act as a thermal break with the framing studs. Perhaps this option does not offer the very best insulation performance, but does provide some flexibility for repair and future home remodeling.
hi mr matt Risinger i been watching your videos very helpful i have to said that i respect your knowledge in the building industry look im plumber by trade for a 15 years i got my license in2007 since that time i been developing comercial & residential jobs here in my state CA here is the situation : about 2years ago just upgrade my licence to B im general contractor now we been doing residential jobs like additions & houses from ground up! in my last job (garage & two rooms with a full bathroom )the architect design the ceiling in living space with spray foam insulation and we get couple of quotes from 4 differents insulation contractors and like three of them told me that sprayed insulation had several recall's because they cause mold specially in the enclosed areas because they not allowed to breathe the building my question is this is a true or jost myth i will really appreciate if you answer this question to me especially because im a big fan of you im always look your videos when i have any question during my construction projects thanks!!!
I am an architect in San Jose California. We do a modern houses with flat roofs. Hard to vent. We use 2.5" of close cell and batt insulation. The 2.5" allows for the dew pt to occur in the 2.5" making it a vapor barrier and add more insulation with batting to keep cost down. I just did a house in Richardson TX (North Dallas) I ran into the problem of they would not allow closed cell? End up using rigid insulation on top of flat roof. Why do they not allow close cell. Does it have to do with humid climate?
Can't emphasize enough how fantastically useful your videos are as a learning tool. You're a great teacher, and I learn something with every video you post, which makes me a better builder. Thank you.
I inquired about closed cell but my builder told me they didn't use it in TX because the house needed to breathe? Also, I thought the closed cell I've seen Mike Holmes use was purple. Are there different types of close cell that are used in TX than in a more northern climate? By the way, great videos and info, Matt. Wish I could have had you build our house here in Driftwood. Maybe someday in Austin..
What about ventilation and condensation risk?
what do you do if your roof leaks?CC foam will keep the water on the roof sheathing. Also remember those r values are prescriptive not performance. love the channel no hate just another view on foam