I’m trying to decide which one to use to insulate my horse trailer.  Also if you use the Tekfoil how did you attach it to the walls.  I’m thinking the Styrofoam would be easier because you can wedge it between the support rails.  Any advice on the pros and cons of either would be appreciated.

Karen

Hello Karen: My name is Mike and I am by trade a general contractor in Georgia. I have never seen styrofoam used. By definition styrofoam is the white stuff with big cells that break apart easily.

I would personaly use what is called polystyrine. It is much more dense than styrofoam, and cost a little more. The brands are Owens Corning brand that is pink, Dow brand is blue, Ceilotex brand is a yellow color and has a thin sheet of tin foal bonded to one side and is marketed by the name "tuff-R".

All of this stuff is easy to use and can be cut with a utility knife and a straight edge. A dab of liquid nails can be used to secure it if the fit is a a little loose.

Good luck with your project.

MIke and Darcy

Yeah Polystryine is what I meant.  I guess I also need an education on the right terminology.   The Tekfoil I am talking about is advertised as insulation for animal buildings, I’m guessing its also called foil bubble.  I’m wondering if the foil would be a better insulator than the polystryine.

As someone employed by a manufacturer of the stuff, a little clarification.

Styrofoam is a brand name owned by Dow.  The white foam that chunks is actually polystyrene bead foam.  It's made up of little beads of foam.  The disposable foam cups are made of the same type of beads.

The other polystyrene foam boards, Mike is speaking of, are extruded with an insulating gas.  They have a better "R" value and strength. 

There are foam boards are made of other materials too.  I don't believe Owens/Corning and Celotex boards are made of polysytrene foam 

Thanks for the correction.

When I ask my helper to bring me the Dewalt or Milwaukee "circular" saw I tell him, (bring me the skill saw) He knows what I mean even though it is not the skill brank of saw.  I think it is the same with the white bead board. It has the generic name forever of styrofoam.

To get back on track to the original posters question, What would you recomend since you are in the industry? My vote is to pay a litle extra and get the type that is more dense and has the better R value even though it cost a little more.

Mike.. My post wasn't meant to diminish your info.  Just a clarification.    As to your question... I have extruded polystyrene foam in my trailer.  It's all the things you said it was, compared to bead foam..

no problem hosspuller, I was not offended by what you said. I was not aware of how the dense stuff was made and was glad to find out how. Thanks for the info.

Mike

Trail Rider, now that you have decided on the insulation, what are you going to cover it will and how will you attach that material to your trailer?

This is where I am looking foward to hearing some intresting ideas.

Mike

Trail rider, I may be wrong but I think the theory is the metal needs air to sweat. I think I would still use the dense polystyrne and make sure it is cut tight. If I had any rust or pain loss I would treat this with a good rust primer and then perhaps use a spray on undercoating to completely seal the metal before instaling the inc.

I think this is about as good as you can do starting out with steel.

I insulated my steel trailer tack room with the foil backed 1/2" insluation board and then put cedar furring strips all the way around, and last put up nice paneling.  On the corners that were rounded where the ceiling and walls meet, I used double thickness of the foil backed bubble wrap insulation.   I have not had a problem with the trailer sweating or with condensation, except in the boot box, which I now leave open when I am not using it.  That solve that problem.  It is really warm and quiet when all windows and door are shut.  I sleep like a baby.  It stays a little cooler than it did without the insulation.  Biggest bonus is I have been able to leave my stuff in the trailer with no fear of it being ruined due to mildew and moisture.  I used construction adhesive where I could and aluminum tape for every seam.  Thet's the first time I had used aluminum tape and it was the best!!!    I'd definitely recommend using that!