When you think of spray foam insulation, what comes to mind? You may immediately think of the air-tight quality that it provides. However, it is not entirely air-tight after setting. It is a liquid and when it dries, it expands to fill air spaces and hardens. This material is not flexible, which is a major drawback for a building that needs flexibility. That said, if your building has gaps, spray foam can easily fill them up.
Spray Foam Insulation contains a compound called isocyanate. This compound is made from benzene and chlorine compounds. The main ingredient, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, is also a known carcinogen. It can cause respiratory problems, blurred vision, and skin irritation. The isocyanate compound in the foam has bioaccumulative and endocrine disrupting properties. Because of this, it is important to use respiratory protection when using spray foam insulation.
Spray foam insulation is available in two varieties, open cell and closed cell. Each type of foam has its pros and cons. You should determine the type that best fits your building’s insulation needs and budget. While it may be easier to find closed-cell insulation than open-cell foam, both are useful for insulating buildings. For those that want to use environmentally-friendly options, Demilec makes an extensive line of spray foam products. There are also several environmentally-friendly spray foam options.
Spray foam insulation works by keeping air and moisture out of a building. It also has a high R-value. A closed-cell foam has a higher R-value than open-cell foam, and is water and mold and insect-resistant. Additionally, the closed-cell foam does not settle, making it ideal for the job. That makes spray foam insulation a highly cost-effective and environmentally-friendly option for insulation.
Many spray foam companies have begun addressing the high global warming potential of their blowing agents, which is why many of them now include low-GWP options in their products. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that global HFC consumption in building foams was equivalent to 38 million tons of CO2 in 2010. Consequently, the transition from HFCs to low-GWP spray foam products is crucial for green building. In fact, some building certification programs have already banned the use of HFC-containing spray foam products.
Another benefit of spray foam insulation is that it helps keep energy costs low. Many studies have shown that up to 40 percent of energy costs are wasted due to air leakage, which is equivalent to leaving a window open all day. By using spray foam to seal the building envelope, you can reduce energy bills significantly. And while these benefits aren’t completely a guarantee, they are well worth considering. And the benefits don’t stop there.
While spray foam insulation is environmentally friendly, it isn’t right for every job. Tiny houses, shipping container homes, and basements are some of the situations where it isn’t suitable. Tiny house builders often don’t include ventilation systems, and you wouldn’t want to have off-gassing problems in a concrete basement. And if you can afford the costs, you’re in for a win-win situation.
Besides being cheap and easy to install, fiberglass insulation also comes with several advantages. Fiberglass is easy to install and can be DIY-ed. But if you want to get the most out of its energy efficiency, it’s best to let a professional do it. It has a short payback period and a substantial annual utility bill-saving benefit. If you’re wondering if spray foam is worth it, read on!
There are several factors to consider when deciding which spray foam insulation system to use. First of all, how much will it cost? The cost of spray foam insulation depends on the type of foam you’re interested in. You can expect to spend around $1,284 to $3,741 for a single attic project, and you can also choose to include walls and crawl spaces in the cost. You may also qualify for a whole-house discount if you’re looking to install insulation in multiple locations.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a type of insulation is the R-value. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation will be. It’s worth noting that spray foam insulation costs less than fiberglass and is an excellent option for sprayed-on insulation. If you’re unsure about which type to choose, you can always ask a seller to give you a fact sheet. For example, you might find that spray foam has an R-value of 6.3. This is an excellent value for your money!