The beamed ceiling looks lovely and charming. However, they have poor insulation and leakage, which can damage your home’s roof. Installing proper insulation will prevent that from happening.
How to insulate exposed beam ceiling?
Spray foam insulation is a popular method used for insulating exposed beam ceilings. In order to insulate, you’ll first need to take safety precautions. Then, you’ll need to prepare the area. After that, you’ll need to identify the areas you’re going to spray. You can then finally apply the foaming solution.
This was just a brief peek at the entire discussion. You’ll need in-depth knowledge to perform the task yourself. So, why not read along?
Without further ado, let’s begin!
Why Is Insulating Exposed Beam Ceiling Important?
Insulating the ceiling will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Also, it saves up to 20% on energy bills.
Insulation decreases noise and makes the home more serene to live in. Furthermore, it helps increase the resale value of the property. More importantly, insulation minimizes the carbon impact, making the environment safer for future generations.
Below we’ve outlined how you can install insulation via the spray foaming method in detail.
How To Insulate Beam Ceiling With Spray Foam
One of the most common ways to insulate ceilings is with spray foam. It’s relatively easy, cheap and you can do it all by yourself.
Before insulation, you’ve to make sure your ceiling isn’t leaking. If it is, you’ll need to fix the leaking ceiling. Once you’ve solved this issue, you can safely begin insulation.
This job will necessitate the use of a few tools. Let us have a look at what you’ll need-
Tools
Please cross-check to make sure you have all of them-
- Spray Foam Kit
- Wall scrapers
- Protective suit
- Respirator
- Eye protective glasses
- Moisture Meter
- Wall scraper
These are easily accessible at your local hardware store or online. Let’s now move on to the procedure.
Step 1: Wearing Protective Gear
To begin, put on goggles, a protective suit, and chemical-resistant gloves. Many compounds in foaming spray insulation might be dangerous to your health. So, make sure you’re wearing protective gear at all times during the task.
Step 2: Preparing The Room
While insulating furnace pipes, you’ve had to prepare the room. You’ll need to do something similar in this step as well.
Begin by clearing the area of anything that might be in the way. Then, set up ladders wherever they’re needed.
To finish up, set up a fan or two to vent the fumes outside as they can be harmful. So, it’s best to ensure no one enters the room while you perform this task.
Step 3: Preparing The Surface
That the room is ready, the next step is to prepare the surface for insulation. This is a crucial step, so ensure that you do it properly.
First and foremost, you’ll need to install proper backing. When backing, make sure that all of the joints are tight.
Otherwise, the foam will escape through the other end and get onto other surfaces. If that happens, you won’t be able to get them off easily.
Next, all wiring, plumbing, ductwork, and other components must be securely fastened. This is because when the spray foam expands, it’ll pull out the wiring with it. You may find it hard to plug-in electrical outlets.
Feel free to consult a professional if that’s the case.
The last thing you’ll need to do is ensure there’s no moisture on the surface. You must remember to never spray foam on a wet area.
So, grab the moisture meter and take a reading. See if it is below 20. If it is, you’ll need to get rid of the excess moisture.
A wall scraper works wonders when it comes to removing moisture. You can simply wipe the surface with it and it’ll be water-free in no time. On that note, here are the top 2 brands of wall scrapers we recommend-
| Product 1 | Product 2 |
We hope these wall scrapers satisfy you. Let’s carry on with the process.
Step 4: Insulating The Surface With A Spray Foam
We’ve now come to the main step. After preparing everything, it’s now time to insulate the exposed beam ceiling. The process is quite similar to insulating basement ductwork.
You should first thoroughly check all parts of the ceiling. Then, determine which locations you’ll spray.
To insulate an exposed beam ceiling, first, open up the ceiling. Then, cut the strip and remove any existing insulation.
You may now begin the process of insulation. So, take the foaming solution and thoroughly shake it before usage.
After that, start spraying half an inch around the perimeter. It should expand to a 1-inch layer and fill the wall cavities.
Make sure you don’t stop spraying for longer than 30 seconds. Otherwise, the foam will clog the spray gun nozzle.
After you’ve sprayed all of the previously identified areas, apply the drywall patch.
Once, you’ve successfully installed insulation, allow it to settle for 24 hours. Please don’t enter the area to avoid any reactions.
Congratulations! Your work is now complete!
On a side note, if you are wondering about getting a 5/8 drywall for the ceiling. It will depend on your budget as it can be expensive and also if you want a really smooth finish.
FAQs
Question: How often should I replace ceiling insulation?
Answer: Insulation should be replaced every 15 to 20 years as a general rule. However, it depends on the kind of insulation you are using. It’s also determined by the R rating of the insulation. Spray foam insulation, for example, will last at least 16 years assuming there’s no damage.
Question: What factors influence the life of my ceiling insulation?
Answer: Insulation takes place because the material you’re using has microscopic air pockets. They delay air passage from outside to inside your home. If these air pockets get damp, the insulation will no longer operate well. So, moisture will have an impact on your insulation.
Question: How much does spray foam insulation cost?
Answer: The total cost depends on how big your house is. Spray foam insulation ranges in price from $0.44 to $1.50 per board foot. You should also consider the cost of the supplies. Altogether, it’ll cost you around $1,000-1,500 to insulate your exposed beam ceiling.
Conclusion
Our guide on how to insulate exposed beam ceiling has effectively come to an end.
We hope you got the answers to all your queries. If you find the task challenging, you can always hire a professional. Keep in mind, that’ll cost you extra.
Take care and good luck!