How can CC compete with OC? | Ask Mason Knowles - SPF Consultant | Spray Foam Technical Questions and Answers | SprayFoam Magazine Q&A Forums

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Chad Gritzmaker Posted: Jan 01, 2009 11:46 AM	How can CC compete with OC? I recently looked at a job that has 2x6 construction, how can 3" of CC at R21 compete with 5.5" of OC at roughly R21. 2" of CC may be closer to the OC price, but it shows an R14 or so. We can all do the math and know that my material costs with CC are approximately twice of those with OC. Yeah OC might be more labor intensive, but I know my labor is cheaper than the material. Do I even have a chance. If so I need some sort of super selling technique, after all of the obvious advantages of CC. If this home was 2x4 construction this would me a mute point, and we would be spraying 2" and being done with it. Thanks Chad
mason Posted: Jan 01, 2009 09:29 PM	Chad, I like to evaluate each job according the primary needs of the customer. Sometimes open cell foam will be the most cost effective insulation and someimes, the closed cell. Open cell provides more R value for the same amount of cost and is a better sound absorbing material Closed cell SPF adds very good structural strength to a building (important in high wind areas), high resistance to water absorption and can be used without an additional vapor retarder in colder climates. In addition the closed cell foam can be used in combination with other insulation as a hybrid system. (flash and batt, 1-2 inches of closed cell foam with fiberglass or cellulose or even open cell foam). So, ask yourself what is best suited for your client, their building and environment. Many contractors spray both foams for this reason. In fact there are many situations where both materials can be used more cost effectively in one building.

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Comments

Chad Gritzmaker

Posted: Jan 01, 2009 11:46 AM

How can CC compete with OC?

I recently looked at a job that has 2x6 construction, how can 3" of CC at R21 compete with 5.5" of OC at roughly R21. 2" of CC may be closer to the OC price, but it shows an R14 or so. We can all do the math and know that my material costs with CC are approximately twice of those with OC. Yeah OC might be more labor intensive, but I know my labor is cheaper than the material. Do I even have a chance. If so I need some sort of super selling technique, after all of the obvious advantages of CC. If this home was 2x4 construction this would me a mute point, and we would be spraying 2" and being done with it.
Thanks
Chad

mason

Posted: Jan 01, 2009 09:29 PM

Chad,
I like to evaluate each job according the primary needs of the customer. Sometimes open cell foam will be the most cost effective insulation and someimes, the closed cell.

Open cell provides more R value for the same amount of cost and is a better sound absorbing material

Closed cell SPF adds very good structural strength to a building (important in high wind areas), high resistance to water absorption and can be used without an additional vapor retarder in colder climates.

In addition the closed cell foam can be used in combination with other insulation as a hybrid system. (flash and batt, 1-2 inches of closed cell foam with fiberglass or cellulose or even open cell foam).

So, ask yourself what is best suited for your client, their building and environment. Many contractors spray both foams for this reason.

In fact there are many situations where both materials can be used more cost effectively in one building.

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