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Unfortunately, many people use the term “spray foam” interchangeably with injection foam, which leads to some uncertainty. Expansion rates are one thing that can get confusing when using spray foam interchangeably with injection foam. That’s because spray foam expands and that amount differs depending on whether it’s open or closed-cell. Injection foam doesn’t expand at all.

Both foam products accomplish the same in that they create an air seal, which makes the structure more energy-efficient and comfortable.

The differences arise when it comes to how they are installed, the products, and how they function.

ArmorThane of Missouri has been selling and installing spray foam insulation in homes across the United States for more than 30 years. They know both products are superior to traditional insulation, and they also know the differences between the two. I was able to team up with them in writing on this topic. To educate homeowners, we will break down the differences and similarities between spray foam and injection foam insulation.

Injection Foam vs. Spray Foam Installation Process

Injection foam and spray foam insulation have the same insulating characteristics for the most part.

Still, the way they are installed is completely different.

The installation process is complex and different, but so are the materials installed and the tools used during installation.

Injection Foam Insulation Installation Process

Injection foam insulation is installed solely in the enclosed cavities of existing walls.

It may seem like the process will produce a huge mess in your home, but the injection foam can be installed from the outside in, which means there is no need to tear down any drywall.

Before installation begins, the injection foam insulation is mixed in the trailer. ArmorFoam injection foam is a three-part resin created to insulate enclosed cavities. As the resin blends with a foaming agent and water transform into the injection foam insulation, looking much like shaving cream inconsistency.

The old insulation in the walls, like fiberglass, doesn’t need to be removed before the installation. Now, if there is cellulose in the walls, the crews will likely remove as much of that as possible before injecting the foam. This is done to ensure the injection foam fills all of the holes and crevices in the wall.

Injection foam requires less prep time to prepare for the installation than spray foam. Because the crews work with whatever siding the home has, they drill the holes, inject the foam, replace the covering, and clean up. We’ll examine the spray foam prep work in just a moment.

The siding home can change the installation method.

A home with aluminum or vinyl siding requires a piece of the siding to be removed all throughout the home so a hole can be punctured into each stud cavity. The injection foam is mixed in the trailer and runs into a hose with a nozzle to the surface. The nozzle is placed inside the hole so the foam can be tapped inside the cavity.

Once the foam insulation is then inserted into each stud cavity, the holes are filled with a Styrofoam plug, and the siding is replaced.

Brick exteriors are handled somewhat differently.

Smaller holes are drilled through the mortar joints between each stud so the foam can be inserted. When the cavities are full, the holes are re-mortared.

Lastly, the wood siding process is a little odd and a little more difficult.

If the siding can be removed, then the same method for vinyl and aluminum is followed. If the siding can’t be removed, holes must be drilled through the wood siding. After the foam has been added, the holes are filled with wood plugs.

Spray Foam Insulation Installation Process

Spray foam insulation is installed in any open cavities.

This includes crawl spaces, attics, rim joists, and newly built homes’ open wall cavities. Spray foam can also be installed in pole barns as either open-cell or closed-cell material, but more on that soon.

Most spray foams are made when two liquids combine, causing a chemical response to form the polyurethane foam. The two liquids come from two different drums or containers labeled the “A” side and the “B” side.

The “A” side of a spray foam system is ordinarily made up of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. The “B” side is a blend of polyols, blowing agents, catalysts, flame retardants, and surfactants.

When the two barrels are added to one another, the reaction is creating the spray foam.

The main ingredients in the spray foam we use are water-blown and organic synthetic compounds derived from petroleum extracts.

Before introducing spray foam in an existing home, the old fiberglass or cellulose must be eliminated. This is done so the spray foam has a nice, clean space to adhere to and can fill the area where it is sprayed. Much like injection foam, this ensures every little crevice is filled, and no air can flow through it.

The prep for spray foam takes more time than the prep for injection foam. This is because furniture and other items should be relocated out of the area or moved to the room’s center. The crew will then wrap everything in plastic, including the floors and surfaces, to ensure no spray foam gets on them.

Now onto the installation.

When spray foam is implemented, two hoses are run from the trailer to the home. These two hoses connect to the spray foam gun, where the “A” side and “B” side are mixed in a small chamber.

The foam is then sprayed onto the cavity.

In most cases, open-cell spray foam is used in homes. This material expands up to 100 times its original size, so it gets into all the little spaces to produce an air seal.

Closed-cell spray foam is better suited for a pole barn’s exposed walls, but we will get more into the distinctions between the two in just a bit.

Injection Foam Insulation vs. Spray Foam Insulation R-Value and Air Sealing

Injection foam and spray foam insulation have the same air sealing qualities, while the R-Value can differ.

But R-Value doesn’t tell the whole story.

Let’s talk about that air seal first.

An air seal prevents the passage of air or vapor. Creating an air seal with foam insulation can work to block air movement into and out of your home, no matter if it is spray or injection foam.

Creating an air seal is important because around 30 percent of a home’s heating and cooling costs come from air leakage. The ability of spray foam and injection foam to fill all of the nooks and crannies in the attic, walls, crawl space, and rim joist can reduce energy loss in your home, which will reduce your monthly energy bills.

There are several other reasons why creating an air seal is good for your home. Do you or someone in your family suffer from allergies or asthma? Foam insulation’s air seal will keep those allergens outside, making your home healthier.

Another thing to consider is moisture in your home. The foam insulation air seal will keep moisture out of your home, especially in places like the crawl space, rim joist, and attic.

Now there is the R-Value of foam insulation.

Reducing insulation to a number doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s great to know the R-Value of your insulation, but it’s not the revered determiner for all things insulation that you may think. This is because foam insulation creates an air seal, which stops air movement.

But you want to know the numbers.

Open-cell spray foam insulation has an R-Value between R-3.6 and R-3.9 per inch. Closed-cell spray foam is R-6 to R-7 per inch. Once injection foam is in the wall, it lands at about an R-18 in total, but that varies depending on the cavity’s size.

The Difference Between Open Cell and Closed Cell Spray Foam

Spray foam can be either open or closed cell, while injection foam is a non-expanding open-cell foam.

While injection foam is an open-cell, it doesn’t expand because you wouldn’t want it to pressure the inside of the exterior wall.

Open-cell spray foam and closed cell spray foam have great insulation properties, but there are variations in how they are applied, their efficiency in homes compared to other structures, and how they work.

Open-cell tends to be lightweight, pliable, and easy to work with. Closed-cell is much more rigid and dense. This is why the open cell is better for homes because it can move and shift as the home settles, whereas closed-cell is nice and sturdy, making it a better fit for a pole barn’s exposed walls.

We already discussed the expansion rate of open-cell batteries, which is another reason they’re a great fit for homes. Closed-cell batteries don’t have that same expansion rate and are insignificant at best. This is why we recommend them for vans and tiny houses.

Next up– moisture permeability.

This is a crucial topic for many property owners. Open cell is inherently moisture-permeable; for example, a great open-cell spray foam keeps as much as 5 percent of its water weight.

Closed-cell spray foam, on the other hand, is 100 percent moisture impenetrable. That may seem like the best option, but this product conceals the leakage, and you do not desire that if your roof is dripping.

Foam Insulation for Your Home

The most significant difference between spray foam and injection foam insulation is how they are set up, which we discussed above.

Now that you know the distinctions between spray foam and injection foam, you may want to discover more about each’s advantages. We covered a few of those distinctions here. However, there is still a lot to discover.

If you’re interested in learning more about how foam insulation could provide incredible advantages for your insulation project, visit the Learning Center on ArmorThane’s site.

Spray-foam insulation can definitely crank up the performance of your home– if you make the ideal options. Here’s what to search for.
If a single item can declare the status of a green structure silver bullet, it might be foam insulation. Singlehandedly, these items can almost guarantee the highest useful R-value levels per inch, reliable air sealing, moisture management, and greater efficiency as broadening foam normally fills even hidden spaces; plus, foam remains less vulnerable to poor-quality installation, with the majority of jobs done by trained applicators.

But with considerable cost distinctions and subtleties in the performance characteristics and ecological impact of numerous foams, it’s crucial to comprehend the advantages and disadvantages of the fundamental foam items before choosing the best one for a specific project.

Foam Basics
If you’ve utilized a can of foam sealant, you already know the fundamentals: The insulation comes as a sticky, thick liquid that responds with air, broadening to flood any cavity you spray it into. Chemical additives in the foam insulation harden the expanding spume into a resilient, strong substance.

Because of this expanding quality, effectively used foam will normally fill every nook in a wall cavity, band joist, floor joist, and attic rafter so that the entire surface has a tight air seal. Given equal R-values, foam delivers about 20% to 40% better total performance than standard fiberglass or cellulose insulation, says Rick Duncan, technical director of the Spray Foam Alliance. The factor for this considerable difference, in spite of equal R-values, includes skilled installation and the integrated air seal.

Closed-cell foam insulation also handles moisture well enough to satisfy present ICC code requirements without an included interior vapor retarder in most applications. Perhaps most surprising, closed-cell insulation includes significant structural value, comparable to about 75% of the ultimate shear strength of a 1/2- inch sheet of plywood, according to Duncan.

On the other hand, spray-foam installation expenses between 100% to 300% more than professionally set up standard insulation systems. And from a green structure point of view, foam gets dismal marks in cradle-to-gate comparison, consisting of no to extremely low eco-friendly material or recycled material, compared to staple insulation products such as cellulose.

Many foam insulation is made with polyurethane, a two-part chemical structure that when combined produces gas bubbles, and then, like epoxy, sets up quickly, trapping the bubbles in a plastic matrix with outstanding insulating properties.

For the technical reader, polyurethane foam insulation arises from the reaction of diisocyanates blended with polyols. Chemicals, such as catalysts, surfactants, and flame retardants, may be added to control the set time, workability, and flame-spread attributes of the end product. It’s in the information of these chemical additives that foams separate themselves in both performance and ecological qualities.

Foams provide exceptional insulation and air seal; numerous fulfill Greenguard indoor air quality requirements and contain the most innovative propellants available without any effect on the ozone layer and enhancing international warming indices. Bio-based items have actually gone into the foam insulation market to balance out a few of the unfavorable effects, or at least perceived negative effects, of foam’s petroleum pedigree. However some misconceptions exist.

A common misunderstanding is that bio-based spray-foam insulations are made specifically from quickly eco-friendly plant sources, such as soybean oil, castor oil, and sucrose-based oils from sugar beets. But most items with bio-based content include less than 20%; in fact, the USDA’s limit for claiming spray foam is made with sustainable, bio-based products is only 7%. Nonetheless, the inclusion of plant oils decreases the petroleum content of foam insulation; national green requirements supply points for the use of foam insulation products that satisfy the requirements for the USDA’s Biobased Affirmative Procurement Program.

A research study of the ecological advantage of soy-based polyols commissioned by the United Soybean Board in 2004 concluded that every pound of soy polyol that changes a pound of petroleum has a favorable carbon benefit of 5.6 pounds; however, it stays a small element of foam insulation and some argue that the water and land consumed in growing crops, such as soybeans, has greater unfavorable environmental impact than the petro cost savings. Neither camp has conclusive evidence of considerable advantage or damage and the majority of claims in either case seem geared toward marketing instead of ecology. Overall, insulation of practically every type offers greater environmental advantages than costs.

Open-Cell Vs. Closed-Cell
The real difference between kinds of foam insulation concentrates on whether they are open- or closed-cell. In general, both are made from the very same materials and work in the same way, trapping air or gas in a plastic matrix. The differences start with the “blowing representatives” utilized to produce bubbles and end with both varied performance and expense.

Open-cell foam costs somewhat less for the same thickness, but provides lower per-inch R-values than closed-cell items. In some circumstances, this is a downside, but where thickness is less pertinent, or where higher R-values are not required, then open-cell can offer the much better choice. It likewise has some green benefits over closed-cell: The blowing representative used to install open-cell insulation is water, which responds with air to become CO2– while closed-cell items use HFCs.

Due to the fact that CO2 expands quickly, the bubbles tend to burst prior to the plastic sets, and for this reason the “open cells,” which produce a spongy, light-weight foam. The market describes the foam as “half-pound” product, which just means the foam has a mass that weighs 0.5 pounds per cubic foot. This density yields an R-value of roughly 3.6 per inch, equivalent to many traditional insulations. Because of the open cell structure, open-cell foam permits some vapor to pass through, making it a good option in hot, damp environments, and under roof sheathing, such as in conditioned attics, where water vapor caught in between insulation and sheathing could promote wood rot.

In other words, open-cell foam, tested in accordance with ASTM E 283, offers an air barrier with vapor breathability. Water-blown solutions have less environmental impact than the present HFCs utilized for many closed-cell spray-foam insulation. And open-cell has about two times the sound decrease coefficient in regular frequency varies as closed-cell foam. Due to the fact that the blowing representative in open-cell insulation dissipates as it sets, instead of gradually in time, there is no degeneration of the R-value– a minor point offered aged closed-cell R-values still surpass open-cell R-values by a magnitude of nearly 100%.

Unlike open-cell foam, closed-cell foam utilizes chemical blowing agents that can be found in liquid form and become gasses as they are used. These gasses expand, however not as quickly as CO2, enabling the polyurethane plastic to set before the bubbles burst. This yields thick foam weighing almost 2 pounds per cubic foot, and without the capillary attributes of open-cell, it remains impermeable. The blowing representatives utilized carry out like the inert gasses in between the panes of high-performance windows, contributing to the insulating qualities of the foam. Unlike open-cell foam, closed-cell foam seldom needs any cutting, with little or no jobsite waste.

Closed-cell has more apparent benefits over open-cell, and a somewhat greater price (20% to 30% for the same density). It supplies both a vapor and air barrier and offers an aged R-value of a whopping 6.5 per inch. Because of its density and glue-like consistency, it stays extremely strong, supplying both compressive and tensile strength to structure similar to included sheathing, increasing the racking strength of walls by as much as 300%, according to the NAHB Research Center. Because water does not penetrate or deteriorate the item, FEMA recommends closed-cell foam as an appropriate insulation product for flood regions.

The principle drawback of closed-cell foam includes overkill. If you do not require the extra vapor barrier, structural strength, and R-value per inch, then you might be squandering money. As for the added wall strength, while real and substantial, it’s not acknowledged by building codes currently, so you can’t minimize the structural bracing as a tradeoff.

Environmental Tradeoffs
With the phase-outs of chlorine-based chemicals, third-generation blowing representatives such as Forane’s HFC-365mfc and Honeywell’s HFC-245fa have actually become commonly utilized in closed-cell foam, lowering concerns about ozone depletion. Although it no longer includes ozone-depleting chemicals, closed-cell foam still poses a high global warming capacity (GWP). The typical impact these days’s closed-cell foam blowing agents approaches 1,000 GWP versus 1 GWP for water-blown open-cell foam.

A current article in Environmental Building News argues against utilizing HFC-blown closed-cell insulation due to its high GWP. In computer system modeling referenced by EBN, the results revealed that closed-cell spray-foam insulation using HFCs can have lifetime GWP payback lengths of as much as 30 to 60 years with insulation depths from 1 to 4 inches, versus less than one year in all cases for cellulose.

Producer BASF states that the article doesn’t consider the air tightness achieved in a house with closed-cell spray-foam insulation, arguing that the relative efficiency advantages of this kind of foam in minimizing house energy consumption over the life time of the item surpass imbalances at the manufacturing and installation phase. The maker says a 3rd party– verified Eco Efficiency Analysis of its closed-cell polyurethane spray foam (which factored in the production, usage, and disposal phases) shows that cellulose insulation has more than twice the GWP than its closed-cell product over its lifecycle; the GWP for fiberglass was four times higher over its lifecycle.

In addition, new blowing representatives remain in advancement, with several chemical business anticipated to introduce fourth-generation blowing agents within the next 2 to 3 years, with no ozone depletion attributes and a significantly enhanced climate change profile of less than 15 GWP, according to Duncan. The EBN article acknowledges that this would alter the formula.

Recycling polyurethane foam provides another difficulty. As a thermoset product, it can not be melted or broken down into its parts for reuse. This indicates that even jobsite waste is tough to recycle, so correct setup with minimum overspray is vital to accomplish ecological effectiveness. Foam can be shredded and utilized as packing product or filler, however given that foam adheres to constructing structures and is difficult to extract and different from other materials throughout demolition, the labor, transportation, and processing expenses needed for reuse are not usually justified.

Harmful Blowing Agents and Fire Proofing
Totally cured polyurethane foam includes no residual off-gassing. Nevertheless, foam insulation includes harmful chemicals such as benzene and toluene, which position a possible risk issue throughout manufacture, transport, and installation. This is why installers must be trained and use protective equipment– a portion of the blowing agents in closed-cell foam dissipate throughout the installation, launching VOCs and greenhouse gases during application.

Producers no longer utilize polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), synthetic fire-resistance chemicals that posture severe health and environmental risks, but concerns remain with their replacement. Many makers now use halogenated retardants that posture a health risk to installers and residents if the foam burns. Safer chemicals exist, such as triethyl phosphate (TEP), a non-halogenated fire retardant, and some producers are moving in this instructions.

No matter its petroleum makeup and toxicity throughout application, foam items supply such compelling toughness, air infiltration, moisture management, and energy-saving advantages that their usage continues to grow. Makers are working to keep improving their items from an ecological viewpoint, including a brand-new generation of high-density open-cell, water-blown foam.

Cost remains the most significant market barrier to more common use of foam in the structure market at large, however some contractors have actually found methods to obtain the benefits of foam while slashing off a few of the increased expense. For instance, some builders utilize a hybrid insulation system called “flash and batt,” applying 1 to 2 inches of closed-cell spray foam to a wall cavity very first followed by a standard fiberglass batt, cellulose, or, sometimes, even open-cell foam. This supplies the air-sealing advantages, with enhanced R-value, at lower expense. Some home builders utilize foam just in difficult-to-insulate locations, such as rim joists and eaves, where even the very best installers have problem matching the air seal and vapor-retardant qualities of foam.

Contact ArmorThane today and ask about their flagship foam application, ArmorFoam!

In this article we will go over how to get started with your own Spray Foam Insulation business the right way…

We will make certain that you have all the details feasible to ensure that you know the spray foam business is right for you. If you are questioning just how to start a spray foam insulation business, it’s easier than you probably think.

Why should I begin a spray foam business?
Beginning Your New Spray Foam Business– GREEN is The Key

You may have ask yourself, how can I become a part of this expanding industry? It may look like a very difficult process, however, starting a spray foam insulation business is an extremely simple procedure to start as long as you do it right. Due to market-leading tools, such as ArmorThane spray systems, spray foam has actually become a whole lot less complicated and even more user friendly for the everyday contractor. ArmorThane products include cutting edge innovation that makes spraying foam much easier than it has been in the past.

EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT SPRAY FOAM

Is there a company that can assist me in the process?
The IDEA is simple. Partner with an industry-leading manufacturer as well as provider, such as ArmorThane.

Starting a spray foam insulation business is just like beginning any other business. It’s actually extremely straightforward. Initially, you should select a business strategy. Let us know which market you are going to go after as well as we will certainly provide you with the devices and support to pursue that market. Having a vendor that has everything you require will certainly aid your business run efficiently. We will certainly assist you in getting started with the right instructions and supply the support to make your business dominate in the market.

ArmorThane is a certified Graco Distributor. They specialize in High-Performance Coatings and Foam as well as Protective Coatings Equipment. They offer a complete line of Spray Foam Equipment consisting of the Graco Reactor. Their staff will train and also support your company on the best quality tools available.

They will certainly likewise have the ability to provide you with your necessities. ArmorThane supply all items, safety supplies, and also materials you will require on every Spray Foam job imaginable. Everything

Do I need any kind of unique training, accreditations, or licenses to start a spray foam business?

Training is also another vital element. ArmorThane is able to train you on the product you will be using, the equipment you are spraying it with, and also proper upkeep, treatment, and also upkeep with your tools. ArmorThane provides a two-day training course for all new applicators with the purchase of your equipment and product.

ArmorThane likewise provides certification once you have passed the training course. ArmorThane aims to communicate the understanding to you and also help you end up being a certified applicator via the SPFA PCP Program. Put yourself ahead of your competition with industry-wide accepted training.

ArmorThane understands that you have to be successful in order for them to be. That’s why they make it their # 1 Goal to supply unparalleled sales as well as technical support for every one of their customers. By investing with them, you are not only obtaining a top-notch piece of equipment; but a long-lasting friendship supporting you every step of the way.

Their Technical Service Staff make it their priorities to keep you up and running. They provide the complacency that all brand-new business owners require. It is their objective to support you.