Intergalactic Insulation

I'm sorry... I just had to.  That title, this suit:

Dad, from the planet Spray Foam-ia, getting ready to spray foam insulation on the exterior walls.  

Two weeks ago, we began the tedious process of insulation, otherwise known as "how not to have a $700 heating bill."  Dad, the ultimate promoter of "doing things right," has developed the most cost and energy efficient method of insulating our home using a variety of materials including foam, wood, and our every last bit of patience.  

Here's the breakdown:

1.  Wood. Using 8 inch strips of plywood, we blocked and attached cut pieces between the beams to block airflow in the ceiling of the first story. After we placed the first set of blocks on the outside, we attached another set where the second story floor meets the wall to direct air intake from outside up and out the roof rather than in and through the floor.
(Side note: anytime we move to an untouched area of the house - ie the bottom line of the roof above the first floor - we find all sorts of gross and nasty treasures including but not limited to: decades old sweaty rags, birds' nests, pieces of old packaging boxes, and tons and tons and tons of black, sooty, dirt. When you clean, you sneeze black for about 24 hours...)

2. Seafoam green foam. To seal off large amounts of airflow in the wood sheath around the outside of our house, Dad used this highly toxic yet effective spray foam to cover the insides of the exterior walls. A nasty project, but one that has already given us a little sound proofing...not to mention a quite fashionable temporary wall color (ahem).

3. Foil backed foam. This dense, solid sheet foam is backed by foil on the side that butts up to the roof allowing heat to be reflected away from the interior. Using short blocks of wood, we attached these long boards to all our exterior walls in the second story leaving about an inch of room between the roof so air and moisture can travel up and our the roof vents.  Then when we get to - drum roll, please - caulk between every crack and connection.  For the larger gaps and those we can't fill with solid insulation, Mom fills in using a spray foam.  (One of her favorite activities is getting spray foam in her hair. No...wait...I take that back. Her real favorite activity is cutting her hair to get the spray foam out. Eek!)

Next up, we'll use even denser solid foam sheets topped with a 2x4 on each wood rafter upstairs to prevent any airflow between the wood beams themselves. I told you that Dad was a thorough man! Then we'll cover ev.er.y.thing. in the old pink panther fiberglass insulation and then hopefully call it a day (or a month)!