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Insulation and curves

Posted:
Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:00 am
by Tripmaker
Where do you guys find R-Tech? I've checked all the big box stores and all they have is rigid foam and batting. Anyone have any alternative suggestions other than curfing the hard foam panels? My first attempt at curfing (oe is it kurfing?) by making cuts on the outside radius of the panel led to less than desireable results.

Posted:
Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:46 am
by Miriam C.
Don't know about R Tech but kerfing can be tricky. I did mine on the table saw. I set the blade where there was 1/4 inch left uncut.
Trick was to stand to the side cause the foam hurt and came out hot if I moved it too slow. Move it through fast and hold it from the side---NO FINGERS on top!!! I also kerfed half and flipped it over so my fingers wouldn't be anywhere near the blade I couldn't see.
I cut every 1 1/2 inches for large curves and 1" for the 12" ers. 1 1/2 inches would have been fine for all.

Posted:
Sat Nov 25, 2006 12:04 pm
by apratt
You want the cuts on the inside of the curve, so that way they will compress together and not lose to much r-value.

Posted:
Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:27 pm
by asianflava
Must be a regional thing because I bought mine at the big boxes.

Posted:
Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:46 pm
by BrwBier
I used two layers of 1/2" pink foam and it bent around my curves easly.
Brwbier

Posted:
Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:00 pm
by Endo
BrwBier wrote:I used two layers of 1/2" pink foam and it bent around my curves easly.
Brwbier
I did the same thing. I used 3 layers of 1/2" in the curved areas of the roof. It worked great.

Posted:
Sun Nov 26, 2006 2:50 pm
by Tripmaker
Good idea, I'll try thinner stuff and see how it goes. Thanks everyone.

Posted:
Sun Nov 26, 2006 4:07 pm
by Endo
Tripmaker wrote:Good idea, I'll try thinner stuff and see how it goes. Thanks everyone.
I used 1/2" Perma "R" (3 layers). It bends very easy. I think it bends easier than the pink or blue insulation. It is sold at Lowes.

Posted:
Sun Nov 26, 2006 4:40 pm
by Leon
I used two layers of 3/4" and it worked great. The 1" didn't want to bend that well but 3/4 and below does fine.

Posted:
Sun Nov 26, 2006 5:21 pm
by Denny Unfried
I also used three layers of 1/2" but try to get the polystyrene as it bends easily.