Painting Spray Foam Insulation for Exterior Use

I went ice fishing a few years ago on Lake of The Woods in Minnesota. All the rental ice fishing houses were coated with spray foam and painted over that. They seemed to be holding up well. I don't know how old they were though. At least you wouldn't be the first to try it. Maybe call an outfitter up there and ask about longevity.

https://shop.rdrtechnologies.com/DC315-Thermal-Barrier-Fire-Retardant-Paint-for-SPF-p/dc315.htm?gclid=Cj0KCQjwrdjnBRDXARIsAEcE5YmrxwxOKyYZy0ygUQjAsFZcwiFU25vKYRnPakPcS3Ga2SVrJyKjKKgaAmFXEALw_wcB

Yes, you can paint the foam.

You might want to read this: Busting the myth on solar thermal reflective paints , and having a cool...

Probably not a concern here, but I will share a caution in the use of exterior foam insulation: the manufacturers say that it is of no nutritional value to insects, which is true, but that does not mean insects will not tunnel through it on the way to something nutritional. First hand experience: a carpenter ant infestation can be invisible because the ants will tunnel into the foam insulation below ground level to get into a wood-frame structure.

Just food for thought here....

While building a home from shipping containers is a novel idea, wouldn't it of been quicker & cheaper to install a modular home.

The utilities would be easier to install and service.

Certainly would be cheaper to permit....the cost of the plans and permits here would have nearly paid for a modular home, and that would be with all the plumbing and electric, insulation, windows, doors, exterior finished, etc etc...I think it would have been way cheaper and much nicer when finished...Why anybody would go this route is beyond me....Maybe if you got the containers for free or something...They are good for storage though...

The original poster gave no clue as to why the work was needed.

Thank you for all the insight.
I got the container for free, dropped off. I divided the 40' in half and made a bedroom on one side. It won't be a home, just a place to sleep when the rest of the beds are full.

It is in the shade so it doesn't over heat, but I am in the northeast so to use it below 60 degrees I installed a heater, but to use it much below that I would need to insulate.

With less than an 8' interior I don't want to lose the space framing out the inside.

Just thinking of possibilities.

You really don't need to use paint. In the area where I live, many modular homes are covered with sprayed on self leveling foam, then an elastomeric coating is rolled or brushed on. A silicone enhanced coating provides an even better and longer lasting finish. For less than $ 900.00 , a 20' x 100' sq ft. roof can be coated as a DIY.

Sounds a little sketchy.... jus' sayin'

The insides of cargo containers are routinely insulated, and the outside surfaces routinely painted.

Depending on the surface finish of the insulation, it may well need a covering of some sort to keep the weather out if the insulation is to go on the outside instead, and before it is painted.

The suppliers of cargo containers can advise over the telephone, especially if there is a sales lead in progress. So pretend to want to buy one, and talk to them in this regard.

Talk to insulation materials suppliers, especially those involved with insulating the outsides of industrial pipework, which is where the applicable experience will be found.

DO NOT spray foam the inside of the container! PU foam can cause breathing problems unless, and even if, professionally and properly applied and allowed to cure for a month, at least. Don't do this.

Stop the heat before it gets to the steel by foaming the outside and painting with a simple white latex/acrylic paint. Intumescent paint is a waste of money on the outside of a steel container.

Contrary to what PWSlack said, non-refrigerated shipping containers are not insulated. The two that I have are simply painted inside and out with hardwood plank flooring.