Lisa,

Icynene is a liquid blown-in insulation. Since you have a balloon frame, they will probably go to the top floor and drill holes at the top of the wall. They will then pump this liquid down in the wall cavity. The nature of this product is that it begins to expand upward rather than outward, thus filling up the entire wall cavity.

Theoretically, it should fill every crack and crevice, thus eliminating any air infiltration into the house. Blown in insulation has a tendency to settle over time and not seal every nook and cranny. I do not know the R-value that is associated with this information, so that is something for you to look into. Icynene is a brand name of a company and here is the necessary information for you to do your research.

Icynene Inc.
5805 Whittle Rd #10
Mississauga, ON LAZ 2JI Canada

800-758-7325 (Don't know if it is toll free)

Amazing what information is available at this site, eh! The eh is canadian lingo- might come in handy. If you do find the R-value I would appreciate the info... Good Luck.......

One small correction- Many times on balloon structures, they will place fire stops inside of the first floor wall. These are nothing more than 2x4's run horizontally between the joists. So you may end up with a few more holes than I originally mentioned.

Dr. Home,
I had a sales rep come visit last night and got all the info I needed. The R-value for a 2 x 4 stud is R16 and for a 2 x 6 stud is R25. Theoretically of course. Also, it turns out they start from the BOTTOM and work their way up in a balloon frame house to make sure all voids are filled, by drilling 1/2" holes every foot(vertically) in the wall between every pair of studs. The other insulation people I talked too with the regular blow in insulation were talking about going in from the top and did not have an answer for the firebreaks. That R value was 12. Now I have to decide if I'm willing to patch possibly hundreds of tiny holes (or have them do it, that's included in cost)! Icynene also has several web sites, twtco.com is for the company I might use. Hope that gives you a bit more info and thanks for the help.

That is a good R-value, the better choice. I am surprised about the number of holes. From the spec sheets and information that I have, this was to be avoided because of the vertical expansion. Amazing how you learn more things everyday. Thanks for the answer and good luck, it will all pay off in the end $$$$$.......

Lisa:

If I may be so bold, could you tell me what it is going to cost? and how big your home is? I have the same situation in my 1954 cape, and am looking to get an idea of the cost before I bother a sales rep.

Thanks

Don't mind at all. For a 2500 sq ft home they quoted me $4500. That included regular blow in insulation in the attic, drilling & repatching holes. It did not include my porch area or bathroom (would have to dril through 80 year old tile which I can't replace. Beautiful stuff). A second dealer from a state over quoted me $5200. Went with the local guy

Lisa:

I was curious if you had the work done, and if so, how do you like it.

I have been thinking about possibly doing the regular blown-in cellulose insulation, because I can do it myself, but your product still intrigues me

Thanks - TomR

Lisa,

Did you have the work done and did you like it? We have a 100 year old house that we are planning to insulate with icynene, but we were quoted a very much higher price. Any info would be appreciated.