There are generally two types of spray foam available: open-cell and closed cell. If possible, you should shoot for closed-cell (polyurethane), as these types of foam have a higher R-value (construction industry term used to measure thermal resistance).
Remember when insulating the attic was an arduous task requiring fiberglass batts and staples? And then your wife would say something like, “Honey, why do you spend so much time in the attic?” to which you would reply, “I paid for this damn house, you show me some respect!” Well, that was a thing of the past now that spray foam insulation is providing a quick, airtight alternative. Spray foam insulation- keeping families together, just as it keeps heat from escaping through the walls.
What is it?
Spray foam insulation is readily described as an insulating and air-sealing product used primarily on residential wall and ceiling cavities. The foam itself is a liquid that contains a polymer and a foaming agent which causes it to expand about 100 times its initial volume once applied. Therefore, as it expands, it essentially fills in all air gaps, eliminating cracks and spaces that standard fiberglass insulation cannot avoid.
The two-component mixture is sprayed from the nozzle of a gun (easy there Dirty Harry, we’re not talking about a .44 Magnum here, but rather a specialized spray foam gun) into wall, ceiling, or floor cavities, where it expands and seals off any remaining gaps. After it fully expands, you may have to trim or shave away any excess foam that extends past any studs, therefore making your job easier once you’re ready to drywall.
There are generally two types of spray foam available: open-cell and closed cell. If possible, you should shoot for closed-cell (polyurethane), as these types of foam have a higher R-value (construction industry term used to measure thermal resistance). Whereas open-cell foam might allow water vapor and liquid water to penetrate the insulation, closed-cell foam is non-porous, thereby ensuring that no moisture will penetrate the insulation. This can be important, as any excess moisture build-up could result in mold.
Ideally, if insulation only needs to be administered in several small spaces or in a small part of the wall, you can save money by buying a tank of spray foam from a local contracting company. However, if the job requires more than a few quick sprays, professional contractors are the way to go, as they should be more readily equipped to handle large-scale jobs that may require other specialized tools.
Who needs it?
If you’re having heating problems in your house, there’s no better way to insulate than spray foam. Spray foam also works well in tight spaces, making it an ideal choice for insulating around outlets or on steel framing. Also, contracting companies such as Green Advantage Insulation are catering to those environmental-friendlies out there by offering a spray foam job that requires no HCFC blowing agents, which contain ozone depletion potential. And let’s face it, spray foam is fun, or at least a lot more fun than stapling fiberglass batts and blankets. Put it this way, there’s no other way to explain the invention of cheese wiz, other than that it’s fun to spray.
