Yes, you can put drywall over foam board insulation. In fact, building codes typically require a 15-minute thermal barrier (such as 12 12-inch drywall) over foam plastics because the foam can emit toxic smoke in a fire.
Simply attach drywall to the InSoFast studs using all-purpose coarse drywall screws. Type W Bugle Head Screws attach single layer gypsum panels to InSoFast framing. Screws provide greater holding power than wallboard nails, minimize popping and help prevent damage to the panels.
Because spray foam can trap moisture, hide the condition of the roof, make it difficult for surveyors to inspect, which means risks like timber decay, dry rot, and not forgetting increased fire risk. If you've got it or you're buying a property that does, this is something you need to know upfront.
Acrylic paint (spray paint dissolves styrofoam!) works best and coats just fine.
Foam insulation is a common target because it's easy for them to chew through. The material offers little resistance, allowing mice to create tunnels or nests within the insulation. But mice aren't just interested in chewing for the sake of it—they're also drawn to the warmth and shelter insulation provides.
Rats are a primary food source for a wide variety of animals. Their most significant natural and artificial predators include:
The Amish control mice through non-chemical, self-sustaining methods, relying on active trapping, natural scent repellents, and structural exclusion. Rather than using commercial poisons, they focus on physical barriers and natural predators to keep rodent populations in check.
Regular styrofoam is not insulation. Rigid foam board is typically used in areas that might get moist or a little wet (think basements). It doesn't prevent mold, but it acts as a water barrier. It's more expensive than fiberglass batts and is harder to work with.
Foam board insulation itself does not support mold growth because it is inorganic and non-porous. However, moisture can still get trapped behind or between the boards. Mold can grow on the accumulated dirt, dust, or adjacent organic building materials (like wood framing or drywall) if the area remains wet.
These joints interrupt the air barrier, expose panel edges to moisture migration, and introduce pathways for convective heat loss. Tape bridges those transitions, maintaining continuity where fastening systems alone cannot provide environmental control. Air leakage at insulation seams alters thermal performance.
The healthiest, non-toxic insulation for your home is natural sheep's wool or hemp insulation. These materials contain no chemical binders or formaldehyde, actively regulate indoor humidity to prevent mold, and do not off-gas.
WD-40 affects foam in different ways depending on the type of foam. It is highly useful for cleaning, holding, or dissolving, but can cause permanent damage to certain materials.
The cost to insulate a new build with spray foam typically ranges from $14,100 to $30,500 for an average 2,000 to 2,500 sq. ft.
Unfaced insulation is great for new construction, remodels, walls, floors, ceilings, basements, attics and crawlspaces. It's best used for interior wall applications that do not face the outside and also in rooms that don't need moisture control, like living rooms, dining rooms and studies.
Preparing ICF Walls for Drywall and Mounting
Nudura ICFs feature vertically embedded fastening strips every 8 inches, which provide anchor points for coarse-thread screws, providing a stable connection for both drywall and other wall-mounted items.
Early signs of mold exposure frequently mimic seasonal allergies. They include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, coughing, postnasal drip, and red, itchy, or watery eyes. Skin irritation or rashes may also occur, and mold can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms like wheezing and chest tightness.
Construction: PVC foam boards used in construction, particularly for temporary formwork or cladding, can last 5 to 10 years in outdoor settings. However, in more protected indoor environments, their lifespan can be much longer, with some boards lasting up to 15 years or more.
Direct contact with fiberglass or breathing airborne dust containing fiberglass may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. The symptoms of irritation are often nonspecific, temporary, and may include itching, coughing, or wheezing.
Yes, mice can easily chew through foam insulation. Because mice have strong, continuously growing teeth, they will chew through soft materials like foam to create tunnels, sharpen their teeth, or gain access to a warm space.
Generally, no. You do not need a separate plastic vapor barrier if you are using rigid foam board insulation. In fact, adding one can cause moisture to become trapped inside your walls or studs, leading to rot and mold.
Summary: The Amish typically have their teeth pulled out by unlicensed dentists instead of incurring the high cost of dentistry. They perceive dentures as more cost effective and easier to maintain oral health.
Several common human foods and ingredients are highly toxic to mice. Understanding these is important for the safety of pet mice or for keeping these items out of reach in households. The most notable include:
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.