Tip of the Week: How to Cut Rigid Insulation

Installation expert Jared explains how to cleanly cut rigid foam insulation to prevent "fly-aways".

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[russelldawkins]

So simple yet valuable tip. Thanks. Edit: I just used this technique and got a beautiful clean cut with ease - amazing how much better than every other method I’ve tried. I’m very grateful.

[davidyeh]

This was actually quite helpful to me, thanks.

[floobertuber]

Such a small difference, long blade vs. a 'normal' short length matte/utility knife blade.... But such a huge difference in the quality of cut! Thanks for the tip. Nobody likes those chewed-up edges you sometimes get!

[jrgal]

ace tip no need to sharpen a putty knife or make a hot wire cutter so simple but effective

[bassgasmask]

can you leave Rigid Foam Insulation Boards exposed? meaning with out having to put them in the walls and or put drywall over them, are there any heath risks? I ask because the room that i'm in has no insulation in the ceiling or the walls, and i want to use several Rigid Foam Insulation Boards and attach it to my ceiling since that is where most of the heat from the sun is entering and leave it exposed... doesn't need to be pretty i just need to insulate my room/cabin

[larrypahl]

Notches, Pilaster, Dato, and rabits please

[eargasmhq]

Why they don’t make right size foam in the first place it’s beyond me. Joist and stud spacing is standard, so they should manufacture insulation to be tight fit.