Re: [A/S] Urethane Foam Insulation

["Colin Hyde" <chyde@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Elsbeth,
While testing prototype snowmobiles about 15 years ago in Yellowknife, we
cruised around the houseboats frozen into Great Slave Lake and wondered what
it would be like living there. It seemed kind of odd having your pick up
truck & snowmobile pulled up in front of a houseboat that was randomly stuck
in the ice. I guess when the ice breaks up you get a different view each
morning, depending on the wind and possibly a bit sea sick but in the winter
you're in a house with a SOLID foundation. I think straw bales is a great
idea to add insulation value however I suspect that they would have to be
shipped in and end up costing a fortune.
I have also worked with Urethane foam in the industrial design business over
the past 20 years and would like to add that it is available in various
densities. I believe the lightest or least dense in 1 lb per cubic foot and
goes up to about 6 or 8. As the density goes up the relative expansion goes
down so you may not need to worry so much about deforming ribs or walls if
you go for a higher density. We also used it within composite panels,
generally between fiberglass lay-ups which made an incredibly strong
structure. I am not to sure about the outgassing issue though. You may want
to do some research with the manufacturer. If you do go ahead with it, you
will end up with the strongest Airstream roof structure out there and will
certainly withstand the riggers of the north.
Colin Hyde
PS We also tested the snowmobiles in Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit) Baffin Island
and it looked like an absolute moonscape compared to Yellowknife. You are
very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area albeit very cold.