All About Spray Foam Insulation
If you are looking ways to make your house or building more energy-efficient and comfortable, spray foam insulation is the way to go.
Spray foam insulation is the newest type of insulation available in the market. A great number of newer homes are being insulated with spray foam. Moreover, owners of already existing homes are now modifying and reconstructing their walls, ceilings, attics, and crawl spaces with spray foam so that they can easily fix the issues and save money at the same time. So, among the different types of available insulators, such as fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam, why should you choose spray foam insulation? In this article, we will explain what spray foam insulation is, how it works, and everything you need to know about it.
What is Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray foam is not your average insulation material. It is made of two separate chemicals: polyol resin and a form of isocyanate. The foam starts as two different sets of liquid and is sprayed as one to create the insulation. When these chemicals combine, they go through a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction produces a foam that expands when it is applied to surfaces that require insulation. This liquid is typically sprayed directly onto the surface in a thin layer, and the foam instantly expands and fills up, creating a tight seal. Spray foam insulation is an alternative to traditional building insulation. Due to its versatility, spray foam is suitable for any property area, including your roof, attic, walls, and floors.
Types of Spray Foam
Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation
Open-cell spray foam insulation is used in domestic applications: attic insulation, roof insulation, floors, and walls. Because the cells are “open,” water vapor passes through the foam, allowing your roof timbers to breathe while maintaining a total airtight seal.
Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation
Closed cell is a very cost-effective solution. Closed-cell spray foam insulation is used in shed, commercial, industrial, and agricultural insulation applications. Closed-cell foam does not expand like an open-cell, so when applied to steel, asbestos, and concrete, it forms an airtight, rigid seal that strengthens the structure while reducing heat loss and moisture build-up without allowing water vapor to escape.
Why Should You Choose Spray Foam?
Now that you are aware of what spray foam insulation is and the types that are available, it’s also important to know why spray foam insulation should be your first choice. There are numerous reasons why spray foam is preferred by homeowners and builders:
Spray foam seals your home. Air sealing stops air leaks maintaining the air condition of your house. Moreover, with good air conditioning, your air conditioner or furnace would not need to be turned on continuously.
Spray foam solves condensation on the walls. Whenever there is a big difference between the outside and inside temperatures, a sort of condensation is formed. Therefore, the air seal that spray foam insulation creates can help stop that condensation from forming by creating a barrier so that the outside and inside temperatures cannot combine.
If you are not convinced yet, this benefit alone can change your mind: Spray foam insulation is a premium product that will save you money on energy bills. The air seal helps your house maintain a constant temperature by not letting the outside air into your home. This helps lower your monthly energy bills!
Spray foam always maintains its shape. Unlike other insulation materials, spray foam insulation fills cracks, gaps, and the smallest crevices without getting compressed, sagging, or settling over time.
Spray foam insulation offers the highest R-value per installed inch. R-value is the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power. Spray foam assists in retaining the warmth and heat within your home, reducing energy costs with less heat being wasted and lost.
Benefits of Spray foam Insulation
DETERS MOISTURE
Water easily seeps through openings around pipes and vents, putting your home at risk of bacteria and rot. In other words, your home may be at risk for costly damage. Typically, when insulation gets wet, it needs to be replaced; however, spray foam retains its properties, no matter how wet it gets. Spray foam also pushes itself into even the tiniest nooks and crannies, so there’s little chance water will get in your home in the first place.
IMPROVES COMFORT
No one likes a drafty home. Luckily, spray foam prevents temperature fluctuations in a building by creating an air-tight seal, protecting your home from the elements to keep it warm, dry, and comfortable. Other insulation options don’t create this seal because, unlike spray foam, they don’t stick to every surface.
IMPROVES INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Spray foam minimizes indoor allergens, such as dust, mold, mildew, and pollen. These allergens don’t enter your home or office through open doors and windows. Instead, they make their way inside through your walls. Pest waste also commonly affects air quality, but insects and rodents aren’t attracted to spray foam because it’s not ideal as a food or nest. Spray foam is a non-toxic insulation option that keeps people feeling their best.
EASY TO INSTALL
Insulation doesn’t have to be complicated. No matter the time of year, spray foam is simple to install, even if you need to insulate a hard-to-reach area. It’s a non-intrusive process; a team of professionals uses a foam gun to spray the material on the desired area during installation. The foam dries quickly, rendered fully effective in just 24 hours.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
When it comes to building materials, everybody wants to go green. Thankfully, spray foam insulation is environmentally friendly, helping you to consume less energy and reduce your carbon footprint.
IT LASTS
Traditional insulation can lose effectiveness over time. Spray foam, on the other hand, is composed of long-lasting chemical products and performs for decades. It’s made of only two materials: polyurethane and isocyanate. When these chemicals interact, they expand and harden, so spray foam never loses shape. Once the foam cures, it stays in one place and won’t sag or shift over time, even in extreme temperatures. Spray foam also has a high R-value, making it heat-resistant. When you choose spray foam installation, you can relax knowing you won’t have to upgrade or replace it anytime soon.
STRENGTHENS STRUCTURES
Spray foam is dense, with strong adhesive qualities. It acts as a glue between building materials, strengthening the overall structure of the residential or commercial property. It acts as a layer of protection against humidity and wind, strengthening floors, walls, and ceilings.
REDUCES SOUND
You won’t hear road traffic or sounds from neighboring houses thanks to spray foam insulation. Spray foam fills cracks and crevices, absorbing sound waves for a quieter home or office.
SAVES YOU MONEY
Spray foam insulation saves money on energy expenses. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, the average household loses 30% of its utility costs to air leaks and bad insulation! Fortunately, spray foam insulation expands, sealing up cracks and holes. As a result, your utility system won’t have to work so hard to compensate for lost air. Plus, an energy-efficient home is more valuable to prospective homebuyers.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT SPRAY FOAM INSULATION?
Read on to learn more about this innovative insulation solution, now available throughout Ireland:
Is it safe?
Our Foam is certified by NSAI Agrément (Irish Agrément Board). The government designates the NSAI to carry out European Technical Approvals. NSAI Agrément Certificates establish proof that the certified products are ‘proper materials’ suitable for their intended use under Irish site conditions and per the Building Regulations 1997 to 2017. In the opinion of NSAI Agrément, E: ZeroTM E500 spray foam insulation if used per the Certificate, meets the requirements of the Building Regulations 1997 -2017 as indicated in Section 1.2 of the NSAI Certificate.
How long does it take to install?
Spray foam insulation is often installed in a single day. Preparation, application, and cleaning of the treated area can all be accomplished in one day, leaving you to enjoy your cozy home with minimal fuss.
How effective is spray foam insulation?
R-value rates how well the insulation prevents heat from entering or escaping the home. The better the R-value, the more value the insulation will add to the house.
R-Value per Inch:
Fiberglass (loose) 2.2 – 2.9
Fiberglass (batts) 2.9 – 3.8
Cellulose (loose) 3.1 – 3.8
Stone Wool (loose)2.2 – 3.3
Stone Wool (batts) 3.3 – 4.2
Cotton (batts) 3.0 – 3.7
Polyurethane (spray foam) 5.6–8.0
How long does spray foam insulation last?
Unlike fiberglass, spray foam insulation doesn’t lose its value over time and usually lasts over 80 years.
Is it environmentally friendly?
Yes. Spray foam insulation is the most energy-efficient type of insulation currently available. It combines polyol resin and a form of isocyanate, expanding to fit the shape of the area in which the foam is applied, creating an airtight seal in even the smallest and hardest-to-reach areas, including electrical outlets and plumbing pipes. Due to this seal, spray foam insulation is incredibly effective, and it can significantly lower your energy bill and carbon footprint. As a bonus, it can also help prevent the growth of mold and mildew in your home.
If you’re interested in insulating your home using an eco-friendly type of insulation, consider enlisting the services of FOAM-PRO.
Why shouldn’t I use traditional insulation methods?
In the spray foam insulation vs. fiberglass debate, spray foam wins, hands down. Spray foam insulation is like a warm windbreaker jacket; it stops the cold air from passing through. Fiberglass and cellulose insulation are like a wool sweater; if there’s any breeze, it doesn’t keep you warm. Even if they’re thick enough to give an extremely high R-value, they’ll let air leak and increase your energy bill. Spray foam insulation expands up to 200 times to fill gaps resulting in maximum insulation. Fiberglass, cellulose, and traditional insulation materials are extremely difficult to install perfectly—the spaces that are left create draughts and lead to heat leaking from your home.
If you're looking for something that will last a lifetime, let a professional install spray foam.
How is spray foam insulation installed?
The crew needs to prepare the area that is going to be insulated. They will cover any sensitive areas in plastic, including approach routes. After this is done, they will directly spray the foam out of a hose to cover the area that is to be insulated. As the spray foam is applied, it expands and then hardens into place. The crew trims the foam where required and cleans up the area, and it is finally done!
About FOAM-PRO
We take pride in our exceptional customer service and are happy to answer any further questions you may have. Customers love our team because we arrive at your property on time, thoroughly inspect the area that requires insulation, perform outstanding work, and clean up afterward. If you want the job done right, contact FOAM-PRO.