When you’ve been looking for insulation options in your construction, you’ve likely come across numerous kinds of insulation like fiberglass as well as cellulose as well as spray foam.

You’ve heard of spray foam, but you aren’t sure what it is or the way it functions.

The Icynene Lapolla spray foam is a newer kind of insulation that has been in use since.

Many modern homes get insulated using spray foam to increase energy efficiency as well as comfort benefits.

In the same way, homeowners of older houses are considering retrofitting your attics, walls, and crawl areas to spray foam to address discomfort in the room and cut down on monthly energy costs.

Spray foam is also a great alternative to pole barns.

Find the answers to foam insulation FAQs in our online learning center.

ArmorThane USA of Springfield MO has more than 30 years of experience in insulating thousands of homes across the lower peninsula and more recently, the Toledo region. We are knowledgeable about spray foam as well as the advantages of insulation of your home by using spray foam.

In this post, we’ll go over exactly how spray foam insulation will be composed, how it’s constructed and how it functions, and much more. So, kick back and relax as we know more about spray foam insulation.

What is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation is an insulation and air barrier material that is used to seal walls floor, ceiling, and wall cavities from the movement of air.

This is the case for areas around electrical outlets as well as fixtures for lighting, as well as at the point where walls join doors and windows.

Spray foam can be sprayed through an opening area as in new construction such as attics, crawl spaces, and the rim of joists. It is also used in commercial buildings, as well as pole barns. If the cavity is accessible and there is access, then spray foam can be applied.

Spray foam does not lose its shape. In contrast to traditional insulation products, spray foam fills cracks gaps, crevices, and gaps when it is installed. It doesn’t shrink, compress or settle as time passes.

Why Use Spray Foam Insulation?

There are plenty of reasons to upgrade your insulation however, why should you make the decision to install spray foam insulation?

There are many reasons spray foam insulation is a high-quality product that homeowners select and the decision is typically dependent on the benefits of the material.

If you’re paying constant energy bills due to your home’s inability to keep a constant temperature then the air seal made by spray foam could help. Spray foam seals the building envelope in the house, which means that the air doesn’t get into your home, and will also be unable to escape.

The air sealing of your home will stop the air from leaking and your air conditioner and furnace will not be constantly running. This can save you money each month on your energy bill.

The air-seal made by spray foam will also stop drafts from entering your home. Everywhere that air can get into the home there will be. Because of the way the spray operates, it is able to get into every crevice and crevice and stops air circulation.

Another problem that people are aware of which spray foam can remedy is condensation on walls.

If there is a huge temperature difference between the outside to the interior of the house When those two temperatures are met, condensation is created. This is the case in walls that have very little or no insulation coverage.

Another scenario is in which the air seal made by foam insulation will help prevent condensation from developing. The condensation isn’t able to form because the foam has formed an obstacle so that outside air and the inside treated air don’t get in.

One of the most common issues faced by homeowners is ice dams that can form in the winter months.

The formation of ice dams occurs when water is frozen on the roof, and the heat loss that comes through the attic helps melt it which causes it to run through the roof, creating an ice dam at the bottom of the roof near the gutters.

This is an example of how it is the air seal that is created with spray foam insulation in the attic will stop the formation of ice dams. The air that is treated in your home circulates and is directed into an attic area. The insulation of the roof deck of the attic stops the warm air from venting through the roof.

The prevention of air movement to stop the formation of ice dams.

What Does Spray Foam Insulation Do Its Work?

Open Cell, as well as Closed cells, spray foam insulate your home, while also creating the air-tight seal.

The insulation offers many advantages, including, sound-dampening qualities as well as preventing the growth of mold and reducing airflow, and stopping drafts and cold flooring. It can also reduce your monthly energy costs.

Spray foam insulation effects on conduction (heat transfer) and convection (airflow), which can affect your home’s comfort as well as energy efficiency. The main function of insulation is to block the flow of heat into or out of the space. It helps keep your home warm during winter, and cool house cool in summer.

When you think of traditional insulation that is the fiberglass or cellulose consider it in the same way as wool sweaters and windbreakers.

A woolen sweatshirt on a cold autumn morning is cozy and warm. The same wool sweater won’t make you feel warm if the wind is blowing across it. A windbreaker is much more efficient to keep you cozy, similar to spray foam.

The leakage of the air can be a major issue in many homes. It is a major cause of energy consumption and also the discomforts caused by the cold floor, drafts, and the formation of ice dams. There are homes that let in enough air every day to fill two blimps which is a huge impact that will have on your cooling and heating expenses.

A few opened cells spray foam insulation is able to expand to 100 times its initial size, filling every crevice and corner of the cavity. This prevents air leakage. When using traditional insulation such as cellulose and fiberglass gaps and spaces which aren’t filled may leak air.

The use of spray foam can lead to an energy-efficient and draft-free home.

What’s the difference between Open Cell and Closed cell Spray Insulation?

Spray foam is either closed or open cells foam insulation.

Both materials can create air-tight seals, they have a few differentiators between them that could create a different outcome for your project. Let’s look at.

Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation

open-cell spray foam insulation is spray-applied on open cavities of any structure.

Open-cell forms an air seal as well as continuous insulation inside the existing house or new house, or pole barn. The spray foam insulation can be described as lightweight flexible and pliable. It can expand as much as 100 times to fill in every space that it’s installed.

Here are some of the benefits open-cell spray foam has to offer.

• Open cell is typically more affordable than closed cell however, it still offers the air seal you’re seeking.
• When your home shifts and settles, the open cell will move along with structure without breaking or breaking away studs.
• An open cell allows water to flow through it, however it doesn’t absorb it and hold it as sponge. When it is wet it’ll dry up while it doesn’t encourage the development of mold or mildew.
• If you’re trying to cut down on the noise that is coming into your home open the cell spray foam does help by reducing the sound. It’s not a complete soundproofing solution for your house but it can to reduce the sound that comes into.
• Water is the agent that blows in open cell spray foam.

Closing Cell Spray Foam Insulation

Closed-cell spray foam insulation It is applied with a spray to create an air seal as well as continuous insulation.

Closed cell spray foam is applied to the cavity spaces of houses, new homes pole barns, as well as commercial structures. Although we generally do not recommend closed cell in homes, there are situations when it’s the best choice over open cells particularly when the building has a limited area.

Closed cell is most commonly employed in commercial pole barns, pole barns structures and vans.

Here are the advantages that come with closed cell spray foam.

• Closed-cell spray foam is durable, therefore it is able to be left out in the open without being concerned about causing damage to the foam.
• Water can’t be able to pass through closed cells of spray foam, but that does not mean that it cannot be used to repair any leaks that might be there.
• Similar to open cell it also limits air leakage in the area where it’s in use.
• Since the closed-cell spray foam doesn’t have a large expansion rate, this is why it’s a perfect fit for smaller projects such as car transporters as well as tiny houses.

What is the Spray Foam Insulation?

The majority of spray foams are produced by mixing two liquids creating the chemical reaction to create what is known as spray polyurethane foam. The two liquids are contained in different containers or drums. Contractors usually refer to one container as the “A” side and the other container as the “B” side, according to the website Spraypolyurethane.org.

It is the “A” side of a spray polyurethane system is generally composed of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric methylene diphenyl isocyanate (pMDI).

“B” Side “B” side is typically composed of polyols, catalysts, blowing agent surfactants, and flame retardants according to the website.

In the event that it is the “B” side is introduced to the “A” side, there is a reaction that creates foam.

“A” side and the “A” side and the “B” side are both exclusive with every spray foam manufacturer. The majority of “A” sides will share components, however, each manufacturer will have its unique mix.

The Icynene-Lapolla spray foam insulation’s main ingredients are organic and water-blown chemical substances derived by petroleum extractions. This spray foam is environmentally safe, Class One Fire Rated, and does not hold water.

However, it’s crucial to remember that each spray foam manufacturer will be different in the material they employ and the type of material they use as blowing agents. It’s why it’s crucial to inquire in with the foam insulation contractor about the materials they intend to use, and also get more details about the particular product.

Cost price associated with spray foam insulation will also vary in price from manufacturer and manufacturer and even from contractor to contractor.

Does Spray Foam insulation safe to use in my home?

If you’re in the market for spray foam insulation, then you’ve probably read horrifying stories about off-gassing, and high VOCs or volatile organic compounds. This leaves you in a state of confusion as to whether spray foam is safe to install within your home.

As we mentioned earlier It’s true that not all spray foam is made identical and isn’t of identical quality. It is essential to ensure that you are well acquainted with the materials the contractor is planning to use.

The spray foam insulation can emit discharge gas however, the amount differs between different products. There are some health issues associated with off-gassing and odor but only in large quantities. This is the reason when researching spray foam insulation it is important to be looking for products that are marked “low-VOC.”

Low-VOC spray foam has a low amount of off-gassing and a shorter re-occupancy period of approximately 2 hours.

What’s the procedure of installing Spray Foam Insulation?

After you’ve received an estimate from the company and are waiting for the installation to begin the initial phase of the project will begin when a team arrives at your house and take away all current insulation out of the room to be insulated.

If it’s a newly constructed house, pole barn as well as commercial construction, there will not need to be removed.

On the day of the installation, crews must prepare the area on which the foam will be sprayed. The method of preparation depends on the area where the foam will be applied. If the basement rim joist will be sprayed in the basement and you have objects that are in the area, the team should ensure that, if they weren’t removed prior to the spraying, they are relocated to the middle area. These items should be covered in plastic to protect them from damage.

Once the pre-construction work is finished and the team will then run a hose over the location to be insulated including the crawl space, or rim joist of an existing house. Walls that are not covered in new construction, as well as pole barns, can get sprayed using foam insulation as well for brick walls made of concrete.

You’ll be able to see the trailers and trucks and that’s where the magic occurs. With the higher-end, larger rigs, it is impossible to blend and spray poor foam. The technology within the rig guarantees that the foam is properly mixed each time, and also that the foam is at the right temperature regardless of what temperature outside.

After everything has been sprayed and cleaned, the crew will clean up the area to ensure that it appears as it did before the task was begun.

What is the impact of spray foam Insulation Influence the energy efficiency of a home’s Cost?

Air leakage could account for up to 40% of the energy used to cool and heat your home according to the Department of Energy. It’s like having an open window every all day, year-round.

It is the only spray foam insulation that can guard against the primary cause of heat loss air leakage since it creates an air barrier.

Beginning with an Estimate

If you’ve now learned about spray foam insulation, you might have decided that it’s ideal for your home.

If you reside within the US and you’re ready to arrange a no-cost home estimate or are interested in becoming a spray foam applicator, contact ArmorThane by phone or complete the request form at their web site. Also, you can look over the estimate calculator to give you an estimate of the price to insulate your home.