60 JULY/AUGUST 2019 FAMILYHANDYMAN.COM
PHOTO:TOUCH ‘N SEALFLOTATION AND HOBBY
Like the post-setting foams, these products are
mixed in a container and poured into a cavity.
Flotation Foam from TotalBoat comes in 2- to
6-lb. densities. The lowest-density product is
for adding buoyancy to watercraft and floating
docks. The others are for buoys and art proj-
ects, such as statues, which require more com-
pressive strength. They cost the same—about
$110 gets you a gallon of each component—
and yield anywhere from 8 to 30 cu. ft. of foam.PACKAGING
Two-component foams can protect fragile
objects for shipment and storage. Instapak
Foam Packing Kits are bags that you massage to
combine the ingredients, activating the foam.
After activating, nest the object on the bottom
bag, and then activate a second bag to cover
the object. The bags come in a variety of sizes.
A 15 x 18-in. bag costs $9 online.
POSTS
It costs more to set posts in
foam than in concrete. But
if you want to save your
back, it’s a bargain. You just
combine the two compo-
nents in a bag or bucket
and pour the liquid into the
hole around the post. The
foam sets in minutes and
reaches full strength in an
hour or two.
Foam might seem like a
wimpy substitute for con-
crete, but we’ve heard good
reports from people who
have used it for fence, mail-
box and sign posts. It’s not
for use with structural com-
ponents like decking posts.
A 33-oz. pouch of Sika Fence
Post Mix ($20) does the job
of two 50-lb. bags of con-
crete mix. For $80, you can
get a Secure Set kit with a
gallon of each component,
enough to set 10 posts.TWO-COMPONENT
SPRAY FOAMS
Most foams in cans are for filling
gaps, while two-component spray
foams are mainly for insulating. They
come in bags or pouches that need
mixing and are commonly applied in
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They’re also used to dampen sound,
set posts, protect fragile items,
increase buoyancy and do crafts.SINGLE-COMPONENT
CYLINDERS
These kits include a
10- or 16-lb. cylinder
of one-component
foam, a 10-ft. length
of hose and an appli-
cator wand. This
single-component,
Quick Cure foam from
Touch ‘n Seal is tack-
free in 15 minutes, has
an R-value of 4.9 and
is certified as residen-
tial fire block sealant.
High-yield and
reduced-expansion
foams are avail-
able. Prices
range from
$100 to
$190.INSULATION KIT
DAP Touch ‘n Foam spray kits cost
anywhere from $40 to $800. Before
you buy a kit, get a bid from an insu-
lation contractor. For large jobs, hiring
a pro might be cheaper than a kit.
FOR LARGER JOBS
In most cases, it takes no more than
a few cans of foam to insulate and
seal problem areas around a home.
For big jobs and specialized proj-
ects, consider using the larger “pro”
cans. It could save you money in the
long run, but be sure to factor in the
cost of the gun-type dispenser,
which is sold separately.
Additionally, the pro-size cans
give you access to products
not available in cans that use
straw-type dispensers.PHOTOS:SIKA(P. 60, LOWER MIDDLE);CHESAPEAKE LIGHT BOATS(P. 60, LOWER RIGHT)
Boat
hull