Foam filler has become an 'essential tool' for housebuilders to improve the airtightness of their dwellings. I am struggling to find any technical information about its environmental impact . It looks bad - Is it ?

and will hopefully save vast amounts of energy-in-use therefore GHG etc, in its installed lifetime. Best poss use for petrochemicals, if any.

Have used lots of squirty foam in our place, good stuff, but going off it because
1) mice seem to love shredding it up to make cozy nesting bedding
2) Not totally airtight, especially if you trim back the bead of foam thus removing the surface skin. Also doesnt stick to all materials but leaves a hairline gap.

Posted By: WillInAberdeenAlso doesnt stick to all materials but leaves a hairline gap.

That's the shrinkage for you.

Posted By: WillInAberdeenAlso doesnt stick to all materials but leaves a hairline gap.

If you have found a material that does not stick to squirty foam, that's a more important discovery than squirty foam itself!

Of course, dust can stop anything sticking to anything. You need clean surfaces. And slightly damp, too, if you believe the manufacturers' instructions. I tend to apply a fine water spray before letting loose with the frothy sticky stuff.

On reflection, the main reason for foam not sticking to surfaces is that it very quickly forms a non-sticky skin. If a blob of foam only begins to press against a surface after a minute's expansion, it won't stick. Like plaster, the foam has to hit the surface with a bit of momentum while fresh, and then it will stick. Aim the nozzle at the edges of the gap, not into the middle.

Jamesbl said: ''Surely building with more precision and care is better than foam in every orifice ! ''

I would agree in an ideal world, but consider an underdrawing insulation job in a hip-roofed attic conversion, with angles everywhre, rafters with unequal centres, on the twist, and everything else you find as you drop the ceiling! I think there is immense scope for gaps and leakage, and would rather see some foam than gaps hidden behind a well-fitting piece of plasterboard.

Posted By: rhamduIf you have found a material that does not stick to squirty foam, that's a more important discovery than squirty foam itself!

Loads that don't stick to it, it is how we used to mould it

Posted By: jamesblShredding by mice and hairline gaps do not bode well for long term savings of GHGs. Are there other forms of deterioration over time ?

Are we ignoring embodied energy now and is there any offgassing ... and does anyone know how it scores for under GWP - I couldn't find any technical literature from manufacturers to tell me.

Surely building with more precision and care is better than foam in every orifice !

do both?