Spray foam insulation is popular because it creates an airtight seal, insulates better than fiberglass or cellulose, and can be installed in hard-to-reach areas. Spray Foam Insulation Houston also helps reduce energy costs by preventing air leaks.

This insulation is sprayed into place, expands, and dries quickly. It comes in open or closed-cell varieties, each with advantages and disadvantages.

Air Seal

The air seal created by spray foam insulation prevents unconditioned outdoor air from entering living spaces, a major cause of high energy bills. It also stops drafts, prevents condensation on the interior walls, and helps prevent ice dams in the winter. An effective home air seal will reduce allergy and asthma symptoms by keeping outside allergens out, while keeping conditioned indoor air in.

Traditional insulation like cellulose and fiberglass does not have the ability to act as an air barrier, but spray foam does. This type of insulation fills all the nooks and crannies where air leaks from your house, making it one of the best options for preventing energy loss in your home.

An effective air seal will help to keep moisture out, and the wood framing in your house safe from rot and mold. Foam insulation can also cut down on those pesky odors that are associated with untreated wood, and even prevent pests from invading your home.

Foam insulation can also prevent condensation on your exterior walls, and keep fungus from growing inside your wall cavities, which is a common source of mold. This is particularly important for those with allergies or asthma. Foam insulation can also keep dust mites and other allergens out, which is a great benefit for those who suffer from these health conditions.

There are many ways to create an air seal in your home, including adding caulking around doors and windows, covering fireplace flues when not in use, replacing door bottoms and thresholds, and putting plastic over single-pane windows. But none of them are as good at sealing as injection foam or spray foam, which can offer an airtight seal and some of the highest R-values available in any insulation.

Energy Efficiency

Unlike fiberglass or cellulose insulation, spray foam does not sag, shift or break down over time. This means that you will save money on energy bills and also reduce the amount of materials that are consumed during the lifespan of your home.

Spray Foam Insulation has a higher R-value per inch than fiberglass and can be used in walls, ceilings and attics. Closed-cell spray foam is a dense and rigid insulation that will seal all gaps in a wall and prevent air, vapor and moisture from penetrating into a home. It can be used in walls and ceilings to provide a more energy efficient building envelope.

Up to 40% of a building’s energy is lost due to air infiltration. This occurs due to gaps and holes in the building envelope that allow hot or cold air, vapor or moisture to leak into the home. Spray foam is a 2-part liquid insulation that seals and insulates wherever it is sprayed. The chemicals mix in the heated hose and expand, creating pockets that seal cracks and crevices and provide effective insulating value.

If you are looking for an energy efficient solution to your building needs, spray foam insulation is the answer. The air seal it creates keeps conditioned indoor air inside and outside air out, which will lower your heating and cooling costs. This savings will help you recoup your investment in the cost of installing spray foam insulation.

Energy efficiency upgrades to a home not only save money but also increase the value of the property. Studies have shown that a well-insulated home has an average resale value of 14% higher than non-insulated homes.

Aside from the energy savings you will receive from spray foam, it is a sustainable material that can be re-used again and again. This is in contrast to cellulose and fiberglass that must be re-installed every time a house is remodeled or added on to. Spray foam also lasts much longer than other types of insulation. The inert polymer that spray foam is comprised of allows it to stay at its optimal performance level for years before needing replacement, reducing the overall impact on the environment.

Durability

Spray foam sticks to plywood sheathing, studs, and drywall surfaces, making it much more durable than fiberglass batt insulation. It also forms little pockets of air between itself and the studs, creating an extremely strong barrier that prevents heat energy from passing through the structure. Spray foam also has a high R-Value, meaning it insulates much better than batt insulation. Moreover, unlike fiberglass, which has a short lifespan and requires regular maintenance, spray foam lasts for years.

A significant factor in home energy loss is uncontrolled air leakage. This can happen around windows, doors, and attics. Spray foam is a great way to stop this uncontrolled flow of air and keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Open cell and closed-cell spray foam both provide effective insulation. Closed-cell spray foam is more expensive but it does a better job of sealing and insulating, as well as providing an effective vapor barrier. It also does not support the growth of mold or mildew in damp spaces.

However, a poor application can lead to serious problems. Spray foam must be sprayed precisely to ensure every crevice is filled. It’s important to choose a licensed and experienced contractor. If a homeowner attempts to do the work themselves, they may not get the proper results. Incorrectly applying the insulation can leave nooks and crannies exposed to outside cold air during the winter and unbearable hot air during the summer.

Another concern is the safety of the materials used in spray foam. Closed-cell spray foam contains isocyanates, which can react with the occupants of the house and cause health problems. These include asthma, lung damage, skin irritation, and gastrointestinal problems. However, open-cell spray foam does not contain isocyanates, and therefore it is safer to use. However, both types of insulation must be installed properly to ensure their durability and safety.

Safety

Spray foam insulation is extremely hazardous when it’s first mixed for application. It emits a host of chemical fumes that can affect your respiratory and neurological health. It’s best left to the professionals that install it, as they are trained to handle this material correctly and in a safe manner.

When the mixture of isocyanates and polyurethane are sprayed onto surfaces, they chemically react to expand into thick foam that seals gaps and fills holes. Once it dries, it acts as an air barrier and vapor barrier in one. This keeps hot and cold air, moisture and odors from entering your home, which can help reduce energy costs by keeping the indoor temperatures more consistent throughout the year.

This all-in-one insulation product also adds structural strength to walls. Depending on the type of foam used (open- or closed-cell), it can also be a fire retardant and acoustical barrier. This is a great choice for those looking to make their homes more environmentally friendly while saving money on heating and cooling bills.

The open-cell type is generally less expensive, but it’s also more susceptible to mold and mildew growth. The closed-cell version is more expensive but offers superior moisture and mold resistance. It is also more effective at sealing gaps and cracks in walls. It also provides a better R-value per inch than fiberglass or cellulose.

Icynene is a spray foam insulation that combines an air barrier and vapor barrier with a high R-value. It’s designed to keep hot and cold air, moisture and odors out of a home while providing increased structural integrity for the walls and roof. Developed 31 years ago, this spray insulation has taken North America by storm.

When working with any form of insulation, it’s important to wear the proper protective gear and always read the safety guidelines. On a spray foam job, this includes a respirator mask with goggles, gloves and special clothing to prevent stains. It’s also important that everyone else who isn’t working with the spray foam leaves the area while it’s being applied. In addition to this, a portable eyewash station loaded with fresh water and a first-aid kit should be present on any job site that uses spray insulation.