"Foam board's cleaner and easier to control, but spray foam fills those awkward gaps better if you're patient enough to deal with the cleanup afterward..."
Have you considered using weatherstripping tape instead? I get why spray foam is appealing—fills every nook and cranny—but honestly, the cleanup hassle always makes me second-guess it. Weatherstripping tape might not expand into every tiny gap, but it's surprisingly effective around attic hatches and doors. Plus, it's way easier to apply and remove if you mess up or need adjustments later on. I flipped a house last year where the previous owner went spray foam crazy around the attic hatch. Took me forever to scrape it clean and make it look decent again. Ever had to remove dried spray foam from painted surfaces? Not fun. Maybe tape isn't as thorough, but is the extra bit of insulation from foam really worth the headache of cleanup and potential damage later?
Weatherstripping tape's definitely underrated. I've used it around attic doors and basement hatches, and it's held up pretty well. But for those really awkward gaps—like around pipes or wiring—spray foam still has its place. Trick is to mask off surfaces first with painter's tape or plastic sheeting. Makes cleanup way less painful afterward. Learned that the hard way after spending hours scraping dried foam from a window frame... never again.
"Trick is to mask off surfaces first with painter's tape or plastic sheeting. Makes cleanup way less painful afterward."
Wish I'd known that sooner—still have flashbacks of chiseling dried foam off my hands for days. But I'm curious, has anyone tried those removable rope caulks for awkward gaps around pipes or wiring? Seems like they'd be easier to handle and less messy than spray foam, plus reusable. Wondering if they're effective enough to justify the switch, especially considering the price difference...
I've used rope caulk around some tricky pipe gaps before—honestly, it's pretty handy stuff. Definitely less messy than foam, and you can adjust it easily if you mess up placement. Not sure I'd rely on it for bigger gaps though...probably best for smaller, awkward spots.
"Definitely less messy than foam, and you can adjust it easily if you mess up placement."
Yeah, rope caulk saved me a headache last winter when I was sealing around some old radiator pipes in my fixer-upper. Foam was a nightmare—expanded everywhere and stuck to everything (including my hair, don't ask...). Rope caulk was way easier to handle and adjust. But I agree, for bigger gaps or serious drafts, I'd probably bite the bullet and go with something sturdier.
