Elkhorn Insulation Applies Spray Foam to Renovated Montana High School

LIVINGSTON, MT – October 23, 2012 – Starting a spray foam project in the summer months in Montana isn't only a plus due to better weather conditions, it also helps when you are spraying a high school that would otherwise be bustling with students. So when school was out in summer of 2011, Elkhorn Insulation took their spray foam rig to the project site, which was undergoing a total interior renovation, plus a new addition. The renovation was conducted classroom by classroom, so although Elkhorn started spraying in the summer, the last foam application was done 12 months after the first.

Elkhorn sprayed through the summer months until school returned to session in the fall. Once school re-opened and the students came back, Travis Richtmyer, Elkhorn's President, said, "We had to do a lot of weekend work because of the off-gassing and fume issues."

After working through the summer, Montana's colder weather began to set in. Luckily, the drop in temperature did not pose a problem for crewmembers. The school was heated during the entire project, eliminating the need for space heaters.

While spraying took place, crewmembers employed scissor lifts to reach the 12-foot-high ceilings. The only overspray protection necessary was plastic and masking to cover exposed brick walls that remained inside the classrooms. Doors and windows were not yet installed, but the empty frames that would eventually house them were covered. In order to ventilate and evacuate fumes and bring in fresh air, crewmembers used fans. Fresh air supplied full-face respirators were also used by the crew.

Elkhorn applied 3 inches of 2 lb. closed-cell Gaco Western Wallfoam underneath the roof deck of both the renovated portion of the building and to the new addition. One inch of Ure-K thermal barrier spray coating was applied over the foam insulation. The entire spray area totaled roughly 80,000 sq. ft.

Reflecting on the scale of the project, Richtmyer said, "I wish they were all this big. We do projects ranging from small additions on houses to large projects like this one."

About Elkhorn Insulation, LLC: Elkhorn Insulation is a Montana-based residential and commercial insulation company with over 20 years combined experience. Elkhorn's quality workmanship has earned a reputation as one of the state's premiere insulation contractors. Elkhorn specializes in ground-up construction as well as renovations, add-ons, and remodeling. Elkhorn specializes in Roofing Systems and Fire Proof Coatings. For more information about Elkhorn Insulation, please use the contact information and links provided below.