Insolating my shop/barn with free styrofoam

[ACUDANUT]

  I need some ideas.  The sheets are 4x8 and 5 inches think.  Do I lay them alongside the studs, or between them.  I am afraid if I just tack them on the studs, the empty space between them might turn into a rodent motel.
Also:  What is the least messy and best way to cut these. 

[1BAD68]

I would put them between the studs.
When I was cutting 2" it seemed easiest with a nice serrated knife like a steak knife.

[rav440]

5" THICK    yes go between the studs , hopefully they are 2 X 6 studs or more other wise the foam will ectend beyond the studs , no big deal , just cant hang any sheeting over the wall . a serrated knife will work well but youll have a ton of foam crumbs evrywhere , try finding a vey sharp thin blade knife with atleast a 5" blade , if you can heat the blade and keep it hot it will slice thru the foam like butter it may stink and what ever you do dont catch it on fire .

[ACUDANUT]

 I think I am going to try a saw-all's with a 5 inch blade. I will let you know what works best. Thanks

[HITMAN 149]

hey nut...
check out a craft store.. for a styrofoam cutter.... it's basically a wire that gets heated up by using a battery (d sizes or 9 volt??) it should cut thru the foam like butter (just like rav440 said) but you have to go slow..or you will break the wire!! (experience ) hahahaha
good luck!!!

[dodgecharger-fan]

+1 for the hot wire idea. Much cleaner.

[BigBlackDodge]

+1 for the hot wire idea. Much cleaner.

Thats what alot of the stucco guys use. They do make a plug in type wire cutter..........not sure of the cost though.


BBD

[Moparsky67]

I have a couple of questions regarding this myself:

     Should you leave an air gap between the foam board & the external sheeting ?
   
     Is a vapor barriert necessary ?

[supserdave]

A utility knife works fine for the Pink insulation board. You can score and snap it like sheetrock.

[Skyview69]

A table saw would work good to and make quick work of it 

[PocketThunder]

A table saw would work good to and make quick work of it 

Table Saw!  Holy Crap!        Wait, is this 5" foam the pink or the white stuff?

[rav440]

A table saw would work good to and make quick work of it 

use a dado blade to make even more foam crumbs

A utility knife works fine for the Pink insulation board. You can score and snap it like sheetrock.

yep it its ridgid thats the best and fastest & cleanest way