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Closed Cell Spray Foam Adhesion

Closed Cell Spray Foam Adhesion to Dis-similar Materials

Reader GREG in ASHEVILLE writes:

“How long will closed cell foam maintain adhesion/air barrier function to dis-similar materials (sheet metal and lumber in the case of post frame)? I ask because my experience with foam is limited to what was sprayed beneath my floor/floor joists (estimating late 70s to early 80s). The bottom of the floor joists has a membrane to hold the foam in place. When the membrane is not present, the foam can be seen as laying on the membrane/no longer attached to the wood joists/sub-floor.

I love the concept of post framing w/ foam, seems like this saves on materials and labor needed for construction. We are currently looking to build our last/retirement house, and I believe the foam will outlast me, but when it’s time to sell will the next owner have a problem with the air sealing?

What are your thoughts?”

Mike the Pole Barn Guru responds:

In my humble opinion, engineered post frame construction is truly an answer for material, labor and energy efficient low-rise buildings (up to three stories and 40 foot tall walls or 4 stories and 50 foot with fire suppression systems).

https://hansenpolebuildings.com/2022/01/why-your-new-barndominium-should-be-post-frame/

I have researched your adhesion concern and have been unable to find any closed cell spray foam ‘coming loose’ instance.

SPF adheres to various construction materials including metal, wood, and concrete very well. However, licensed installers must ensure surfaces are completely dry, and oils, grease, dirt, and debris free as outlined in code-referenced application standards.

It is also important to assess weather when applying spray foam. While the product may be applied in various climatic conditions, it is important to follow manufacturer’s recommendations and its Evaluation Listing installation limitations. Sprayfoam and related coatings should not be installed when there is ice, frost, surface moisture, or visible dampness present on the surface to be covered. Surface moisture can react with SPF chemicals resulting in poor-quality foam and/or adhesion lacking.

SPF system adhesion is a key field test and licensed installers are required to conduct a field test series for adhesion and density on every project, every chemical lot change, and every eight hours. These tests are conducted using field test kits installing contractors must have on their spray rigs. Test Result must be recorded on daily worksheets and submitted to their third-party certification organization for review and retention.

In some SPF insulation installations, substrate surface priming may be required, especially when applying foam to large metal surfaces. Primers can greatly enhance adhesion between SPF and existing substrates. Primers can help seal porous substrates and improve adhesion to metal substrates.

This entry was posted in Insulation, Pole Barn Questions, Pole Building How To Guides, Pole Barn Planning, Pole Barn Structure and tagged spray foam, closed cell spray insulation, fire suppression sprinklers, closed cell spray foam, adhesion, code referenced application standards on October 25, 2022 by admin.

Barndominium Questions

Questions About a Pole Barndominium

Reader PAYTON in CANTON writes:

“I have a few questions regarding building a pole barn/barndominium. 1. Do you offer any model homes we can explore? 2. Can we set up a consultation to discuss our options as far as building/kits? 3. What is the lead time for purchasing a kit? We are about 2 years out from building but are trying to gather information and plan things out time wise and financially. 4. What are size options? 5. What do the kits include? Probably more- feel free to call if that’s easier. Thank you!”

Mike the Pole Barn Guru writes: Thank you for your interest in a new Hansen Pole Building post frame (pole barn) barndominium.

All of our buildings are 100% custom designed to best meet each client’s wants, needs and budget, so we do not have any ‘model’ homes. You are always welcome to come visit my lovely bride and me at our 8000 square foot post frame shouse (shop/house) in Roberts County, South Dakota (just reach out to us in advance so we will be assured of being available).

Hansen Pole Buildings has a staff of trained Building Designers available to discuss possible options. You can reach them via email (Sales@HansenPoleBuildings.com) or dial 1.866.200.9657.

Pre-COVID our lead times were generally three to four weeks from order to delivery anywhere in the continental United States. Currently, with COVID influenced shortages of components and transportation challenges, we ask our clients to allow eight to 12 weeks (other than overhead doors are out as great as 16 to 18 weeks).

Barndominium sizes are limited only by your local Planning Department requirements. We can engineer anything up to and including three above grade stories with a 40 foot sidewall (increase by a story and 10 more feet with fire suppression sprinklers). For footprint, you can cover in excess of an acre, should you require this sort of space.

Hansen Buildings Construction Manual Your new building will be designed for an average physically capable person who can and will read instructions to successfully construct your own beautiful buildings (and many of our clients do DIY). Your building will come with full 24” x 36” structural blueprints detailing the location and attachment of every piece (suitable for obtaining Building Permits), a 500 page fully illustrated step-by-step installation manual, as well as unlimited technical support from people who have actually built buildings. Our kits include all materials necessary to erect structural portions of your new home – this would include building shell, any raised wood floors, stairs, windows and doors. We do not include any concrete, rebar or nails normally driven by an air nailer.

This may be helpful to you in your planning process: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2021/02/a-shortlist-for-smooth-barndominium-sailing/

This entry was posted in Barndominium, Pole Barn Questions, Pole Building Comparisons, Shouse, About The Pole Barn Guru, Building Department, Pole Barn Planning, Professional Engineer, Pole Barn Homes and tagged fire suppression sprinklers, shouse, barndominium plans, structural blueprints, sprinklers, barndominium on August 18, 2021 by admin.

Elevating to Avoid Flood Level

Building in flood zones can be problematic, with one solution being to elevate to get usable spaces above high water mark. Typically jurisdictions and insurance companies want to get structures above 100 year occurrence flood level, however to error towards caution’s side can prove advantageous.

Today’s article has been sparked by reader MJ in DRAKE who writes:

“What is maximum narrowness and tallness a pole barn home/resort can be constructed? I am planning to build one on a narrow site that was previously flooded, and the prior structure was destroyed. I also plan to have the bottom floor just above the flood certificate level . Generally how deep into the ground are the poles placed, or are they bolted to a concrete pad? Was hoping putting them deep in ground would make them more flood proof and insurable. Was also considering having the area beneath the bottom floor serve as a drive through tandem parking structure. Has this been done?
Any other thoughts or factors come to mind, when considering my plan? Any specs or materials I need to be sure to include, like galvanized ?
Many thanks, for your thoughts and expertise as I research before buying the lot.”

Mike the Pole Barn Guru responds:

Narrowness will be determined by minimum width necessary for useful occupancy of your building. Consider shotgun houses, a one-time urban staple. “Shotgun’ references an idea if front and rear doors were opened a shotgun blast fired into a house from an open front doorway would fly cleanly to other end and out back door. Many of these shotgun houses were no more than 10 and 12 feet in width!

Height will be dictated by maximum column length of 60 feet, other than Code limits wall height to 40 feet, without sprinklers. An additional 10 feet of wall height can be allowed, provided appropriate fire suppression sprinklers are installed. Column depth will be determined by soil characteristics of your site, building height and climactic loads. Certainly having parking in an area beneath your first floor would be possible.

Top priority when considering your structure – to either have it designed by a competent RDP (Registered Design Professional – engineer or architect) or to engage a firm providing a complete materials kit package. The package must include engineer sealed plans specific to your building upon your location.

You can read more about stilt houses here: https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/2017/09/stilt-houses/.