House Spray on Foam Insulation

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Spray-on Foam & Home Insulation

Spray-on insulation is a powerful and relatively new plastic material, with an insulating efficiency (rated in R-values) that amounts to the double of traditional insulation materials, namely fiberglass batts/rolls.

Most of spray-on insulation is made of liquid polyurethane or polystyrene, also found in small aerosol cans and used in refrigerators and water heaters.

Home sprayed foam insulation is an alternative to traditional insulation materials. See: Insulation materials, Fiberglass, mineral wool & Home insulation and Cellulose insulation.

Uses

Spray foam insulation is excellent for insulation of home cathedral ceilings, side walls and basement walls.

It is also excellent for filling small house spaces — window jambs, rim joist areas, small stud bays, and other penetrations — where traditional insulation materials (fiberglass batt insulation) are difficult to use.

How spray-on foam insulation works

The spray foam liquid is pumped through pressurized spray nozzles on the surface of cathedral ceiling or sidewalls and basement walls, forming a continuous insulating barrier.

After applied, the material expands and conforms to the shape of the cavities, filling and sealing them thoroughly.

The pros of spray-on foam insulation

Unlike fiberglass, cellulose or rock wool insulating materials, spray foam insulation fills and seals all the miniscule cracks and seams in walls and other surfaces, eliminating any energy loss by air filtration.

Because it provides a particular high performance (R-value) per inch, it is possible to use 2x4 construction on exterior walls (instead of the 2x6 studs), with the correspondent savings on framing costs and extended window and door jambs.

Foam insulation is also fire and insect resistant and a powerful mean to control moisture condensation.

The cons

Installation is a complicate task in existing homes. Sprayed foam insulation is more adequate to new construction.

The other big disadvantage is the price. Sprayed foam insulation may cost the double or the triple of traditional fiberglass, cellulose and mineral wool insulation.

Costs-benefits analysis

The installed cost for sprayed foam insulation runs about two-three times more than traditional insulating materials - something around $1.25 to $2.25 per square foot (depending on wall thickness or type of foam...)

Nevertheless since spray foam insulation acts also as an air barrier, it provides air sealing besides insulation. And since most foam insulation products have a higher R-value per inch than traditional insulation materials, its higher initial cost becomes rather relative.

Installation

Installation should be done by an experienced installer. It demands special equipment and requires skill and knowing to spray the materials into cavities…

Warranties

Some sprayed foam insulation manufacturers provide a lifetime limited warranty.

Sprayed Foam insulation and environment

Most today’s foam insulation are environmental friendly. See Insulation Materials & Environment.