Your home needs insulation. But are you ready for all the potential problems that may arise if you do it yourself?
It’s a real dilemma: do you hire a contractor, or do you follow YouTube tutorials to insulate your crawl space, attic, or rim joist yourself?
There are many things you should consider when considering DIY. It would help if you also had a backup plan in the event of an emergency. It is also important to weigh the amount of work it takes to complete the job versus hiring a contractor that can do the same thing in half the time.
ArmorThane is a company that has been in business for more than 30 years. They have experience in insulating homes throughout the world. They know what to do when a DIY project goes wrong.
We have put together a list of six top DIY mistakes that can lead to disaster.
Many things can go wrong, from choosing the wrong insulation material to how long it takes to install the insulation yourself.
These are the top problems you might encounter when installing insulation yourself.
You can’t warranty your own work
A warranty with the work you are having done on your home can come back to save you if there ends up being some unexpected problems.
If you do the work yourself, there is no warranty and it will cost you more money to fix.
It is important to take the time to teach yourself how to do the work
–You will need to learn how to do the job and verify the information that you receive.
It is important to research articles and videos to help you with your insulation project.
Find a reliable source and determine if you have what it takes to complete the task. Bob Vila, HGTV, and the DIY Network are excellent places to start if you’re trying DIY.
Choosing the Right Materials for Your Project Is Very important
You should use the correct type of insulation material to suit the area of your home.
You wouldn’t, for example, use cellulose in your crawl area or rim joint.
Learning what insulation materials best work for the project is only one part of DIY insulation installation.
Materials are not the only thing you’re buying. You will need special tools to install insulation. Also, you will still need supplies such as goggles, fasteners, and gloves to use the caulk or can foam.
It is important to make sure you have an air seal
Insulating and sealing your home is one of the most cost-effective and efficient ways to make it more comfortable and energy-efficient.
Creating an air seal can be complicated.
For example, when laying fiberglass insulation, it is important to ensure that the insulation fits perfectly in the cavity. Caulk and can foam are needed to do this. This is a lengthy process and one you might not be familiar with.
You will have a lot of product wasted if you don’t know how fast the foam comes out.
It is important to inspect your work.
After the project is completed in your eyes, inspect it visually and by hand to ensure that the work was done properly.
If you have never done the work yourself or seen the work completed in person, then you are solely basing what you think off of what you saw on the Internet.
When you are inspecting your work for the first time, it can be not easy. You will need to remove insulation material from any areas or gaps you missed and then start over.
It may still be best to hire a contractor.
Missouri is equipped with the knowledge and experience to make your home more comfortable by installing spray or injection foam insulation.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of foam insulation, check out the Learning Center on ArmorThane’s website.
The world can be loud and obnoxious. Thankfully Spray foam insulation is a great way to reduce noise and sound from your commercial buildings, warehouses, restaurants, or office.
Are you surprised?
Spray-on foam treatments are excellent for sound control. They have the same properties that make them such great air barriers, i.e., they act as insulators for cold and heat. These sound control solutions will keep noise at bay and increase energy efficiency, structural support and overall building comfort.
Win-win
Spray-On Foam and Coatings insulation offer the following spray foam insulation options to soundproof your home. These products can be used to make interior walls soundproof with high STC ratings. It doesn’t matter how loud the sounds are, they won’t penetrate walls, ceilings, or other dividers.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about open-cell spray foam’s ability to sound absorbers, sound barriers, inhibit sound waves, reduce sound noise, or act as sound-deadening treatment. We are happy to discuss with you a noise reduction plan and help you determine the best insulation products for you.
This insulation is made from spray foam that has been chemically treated with natural fibers. This insulation is resistant to fire, mildew, and mold. The adhesive is patented and can be applied easily. It creates a carpet-like texture. This insulation is often used in gyms and parking garages.
Acoustical Treatment “FC”
Sprays that are made up of fibers and adhesive are used for this treatment. The thickness can vary from 1/2″ to 1″. It is one of the best methods for sound absorption. Spray foam can be used in many areas, and on different types of projects, including those with different surfaces. It can also reach places where stretch fabrics or panels are not possible. Spray foam is easy to adapt to any surface, so you’ll often see it used in vaults and corrugated decks or domes that require soundproofing.
URE-K
This type of sound insulation is also known as a thermal barrier. It can be used over foam in commercial buildings. It can be used as a protective coating on top of the foam in new construction projects. National code bodies and insurance companies have approved this product. Spray foam can be used to fill in cracks and crevices in walls to improve sound control.
ArnmorThane’s ArmorFoam 2.0
ArmorFoam 2.0, a closed-cell, liquid spray-applied, low density, all-water blown, rigid, polyurethane insulation foam, comprises two components. It has superior insulation properties than other insulation materials and is flame retardant to the highest standards. ArmorFoam’s quick response time makes it easy to use and allows for fast completion of difficult jobs.
ArmorFoam 2.0 closed-cell polyurethane foam has a high R value and reduces moisture and air infiltration. ArmorFoam 2.0 improves structural integrity and extends the life of structures. The product prevents vapor drive problems such as mold and mildew growth. ArmorFoam 2.0 expands upon application to increase performance by sealing the building envelope. Up to 200oF (94oC) will not cause steel corrosion by cured foam.
Contact us today to learn more about sound control and how we can help you get it started. We can assist with sound dampening, sound transmission prevention through layers of drywall, and many other things.
We are looking forward to speaking with you about your options! Feel free to message us with questions or contact ArmorThane, the world leader in spray foam insulation to find out how you can become a professional spray foam applicator.
It is choosing the right type of spray foam insulation is an incredibly important decision. Companies such as ArmorThane have a wide variety of portable spray systems to choose from, which can be used to install both closed-cell and open-cell spray insulation. This gives their customers true flexibility when it comes time to perform essential tasks.
There are no differences in quality between closed and open-cell spray insulation. However, due to the different physical properties of both insulations, open-cell insulation may be the best option depending on the location where the spray foam is applied.
The foam forms “cells” as it expands and cures. Whether the air is trapped within these cells will determine if the foam can be considered an open or closed cell.
Open-cell spray polyurethane foam is best suited to interior projects because it is less dense and requires less material for coverage. The foam is free from gas, so it doesn’t trap gas in its cells. Instead, the foam leaves openings in its structure that allow other cells to connect and interlock. These openings are then filled with air from around the environment. Because open-cell spray foams can be porous, they don’t resist water and are therefore unsuitable for use above grade or in areas where moisture is unlikely. They do improve sound deadening and have an R-value of around 4.3 per inch.
Closed-cell spray foam consists of tiny bubbles made of gas suspended in the process of application and curing. The propelling agent traps the gas, which adds insulation to the foam. Its typical R-value is around 6.0 Closed-cell foam can be used in both exterior and interior applications and can improve the structural strength of walls being insulated.
Closed-cell foam can also resist water and vapors due to its strength and reinforced nature. The foam’s structure makes it denser and requires more material to cover it.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL SPRAY FOAM APPLICATOR
Companies such as ArmorThane offer a wide range of spray foam equipment, including portable spray foam and polyurea equipment. ArmorThane equipment is industry-standard and can be used to accommodate any type of spray foam insulation project, closed cell or open cell.
You can browse their extensive selection of equipment here. This includes open-cell spray foam equipment and closed-cell spray foam equipment. ArmorThane can make your next insulation job easier and more efficient.
They are always available to assist you with any questions regarding open-cell or closed-cell spray foam.
Spray foam insulation can crank up the performance of your homes—if you do it right. Check out our daily posts on the Foam Insulation and the Foam Insulation Market. We review each company and relay the information directly to you. Join our mailing list and have them sent directly to your email each and every day.
If you would like to know more about polyurea or spray foam, we recommend visiting ArmorThane
