What is Spray Foam Insulation?


What is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation is polyurethane foam pumped into the home to insulate walls, ceilings and everywhere else one would expect insulation. As a result, it helps to keep the heat inside during the cold months and the hot air outside when it's warm. While regular fiberglass insulation can be easily installed by the homeowner, spray foam insulation isn't a do-it-yourself project. A professional will need to be called in.

Like any insulation, there are pros and cons to spray foam. Because it needs to be professionally installed, spray foam insulation is expensive, about twenty percent more expensive than fiberglass insulation. The process isn't neat, and the homeowner can expect to see foam places other than the intended target. If too much insulation is sprayed in, the walls can buckle as the foam expands. Your professional should know just how much to apply.

Cost and cleanliness aside, there are clear benefits to using spray foam insulation. Because it's a spray and not a long piece of pink fiberglass, spray foam insulation gets into all of the tiny nooks and crannies, providing better insulation. Drafts are filled and the house is warmer in the winter. No cold air can escape in the summer either. In light of these facts, the homeowner with spray foam insulation can expect lower utility bills.

Because spray foam insulation fills every little crack and crevice, vermin and bugs have a harder time getting into the home, saving on extermination bills. Plus, it's such a great adherent, it can stick to a floor and insulate from underneath.

Most homes insulated with spray foam have a higher resale value, especially newer homes. There are environmental advantages as well; most notably, there aren't any fiberglass particles floating around in the air.

Spray foam insulation also seems to last longer. It sticks to the walls and won't fall off like fiberglass. An extra bonus is that it doesn't cause itching when touched, unlike fiberglass foam, and it inhibits mold because it doesn't absorb water.

The do-it-yourselfer can also purchase small cans of foam at the home improvement store. These are perfect for sealing cracks around doors and windows as well as gaps around pipes and fixtures. For bigger insulation projects, however, it's in your best interest to call in a professional.

While it's more expensive to install spray foam insulation than fiberglass, it pays for itself with the money saved on utility and repair bills. When it comes to deciding which insulation is best for the home, spray foam insulation is the hands-down winner.

Spray Foam Insulation


There is no better home insulating material that can seal your home from air and moisture intrusion, save on costly utility bills, strengthen your home, and protect your family’s health from dangerous mold, airborne pollutants, and allergens than Spray Foam insulation.

Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

  • Stops air and moisture infiltration
  • Makes your home more comfortable
  • Saves on energy costs
  • Adds strength to the building structure
  • It is permanent and will not sag
  • Keeps dust and pollen out
  • Reduces capacity requirements, maintenance and wear of HVAC equipment

Spray Foam Insulation Redefines Traditonal Construction Methods and Benefits Modern Building Sciences and Energy Efficient Green Building Initiatives
Read all about how spray foam used in the Building Envelope outperforms fiberglass insulation, becomes a superior air abrrier, and defies traditional, and perhaps, outdated building practices of attic and crawl space ventilation.

SPF Saves You Money and Pays for Itself
SPF home insulation saves on energy costs and lowers utility bills. SPF is used to seal the entire “building envelope” of your home to prevent air and moisture infiltration. The US Department of Energy (DOE) studies show that 40% of your home’s energy is lost due to air infiltration. This air infiltrates the home in the form of drafts through walls sockets, windows and doorways.

Often times no expensive building wrap or additional vapor protection is required during construction when using SPF, saving money yet again.

High R-Value
Sprayed polyurethane foam has an aged R-value of approximately 6.0 per 1 inch thickness (depending on the particular formulation and application, higher values have been achieved), enabling it to provide more thermal resistance with less material than any other type of commercial insulation material. SPF systems are frequently used to insulate and protect a wide variety of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

Monthly energy and utility savings of 30% or greater can be achieved when compared to the alternative roofing and insulation systems. The cost of an SPF roof or insulation system can often be recovered in less than 5 years, simply through energy savings alone.

Prevents Air, Moisture and Gas Infiltration
Studies have shown that as much as 40% of a building’s total energy loss is due to air infiltration. Traditional fiberglass insulation is only stapled, or placed into the wall cavities and does not seal the stud and wall cavities from end to end, or top to bottom. Air infiltration can pass through these gaps, making it far less efficient than SPF. SPF not only adheres to, but forms to the walls and floors to create a tight seal and insulating barrier that stops this air leakage. SPF also boasts the highest R-value per inch than any other commercial material, (upwards of R-7.0, compared with Fiberglass at R-3.5) making your home more comfortable and less expensive to heat in the winter, and cool in the summer.

Since SPF acts as an air barrier, it also helps to reduce moisture infiltration, which is a source of dangerous mold and mildew growth in the home, and can cause severe health problems to its occupants. So save your family and save money at the same time with SPF home insulation systems. Moisture infiltration can also cause structural damage to your home or building.

Helps Reduce Moisture and Mold
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. SPF insulation is the key. Watch Video...

Enhances Overall Building Stability
Since SPF is seamless and monolithic, foam sprayed into the walls enhances overall building stability and reduces “rack and sheer.

Deadens Sound Travel and Noise
SPF also reduces airborne sound making the home acoustically tighter and more private from room to room.

Residential Foam Insulation


Save Up To 30% With Residential Foam Insulation

With the cost of keeping your home warm going up and up it's good that there are some things you can do to save yourself money. You can consider upgrading windows and doors. You can also upgrade the type of insulation in your home to residential foam insulation.

When you think about installing attic insulation or insulation anywhere in your home you want to be aware of the R-value of the insulation. R-values are very simple to understand. R-value ratings are given by the building industry that are a key to how well different insulating materials work. The higher the R-value the better quality the insulation. R-value applies to cellular glass insulation, styrofoam insulation and mineral wood insulation.

When we looked into different types of insulation for our home we took the R-value into consideration. We also wanted a clean insulation. We wanted to get away from the pink Owens Corning fiberglass batt insulation we had in the attic and basement ceiling.

We considered do-it-yourself foam insulation. It's easy to find polyurethane foam insulation kits online. However, after some discussion we decided that even if it cost a bit more we'd have it done by a professional. It would undoubtedly go quicker and be done better by a professional. We figured that the amount of potential over-spray if we did the job ourselves would probably be costly. Also, the professionals have all the necessary tools and safety equipment.

We found out that the cost for residential foam insulation would be between $1.25 and $2.25 per square foot. The difference in price depends on the wall thickness and the type of spray foam insulation used.

There are two types of spray foam, closed-cell and open-cell. Closed-cell is polyurethane and open-cell is isocyanurate. You'll find that closed-cell has a higher R-value.

We were advised to put an open-cell residual foam insulation in the attic. This is due to the fact that the roof is where excess interior water vapors leave the home. We have vents in our attic which also help water to escape. We decided to use isocyanurate open-cell foal insulation in our basement as well.

Needless to say from what we've read if we were building a home from the ground up we'd definitely choose to have residential foam insulation applied. Even though we've been told that residential foam insulation can cost up to three times more than other traditional insulations such as Owens corning insulation, styrofoam, mineral wood and cellular glass, the increase in the R-value can cut energy bills by 30%. This can be a huge savings for most families.


Attic Ceiling Insulation


Today the best investment any homeowner can make is one that will help him save money. When my husband and I sat down and looked at our monthly bills we realized that the one bill we could change was the bill for our electric. We had read that with proper insulation we could save up to 30%. That was where we decided to start.

The attic ceiling insulation was the first insulation we investigated. We learned there are many different types of insulation and lots of differences in prices too. There is the readily recognizable Owens Corning insulation, mineral wool insulation, styrofoam insulation and cellular glass insulation. We looked into residential foam insulation too.

We live in an older home so our old attic insulation had settled over time and had been torn up by rodents. We had been thinking about finishing the attic so we wanted to keep a potential remodel when installing attic insulation.

We knew that we could definitely save money putting the attic ceiling insulation in ourselves, if we chose the appropriate kind. Owens Corning fiberglass batt insulation would be simple to install. Residential foam insulation would probably take a professional. Over spraying of foam insulation is a waste as excess is cut away and discarded. Also, professional foam insulation installers have the proper clothing and safety equipment for the job.

We looked into foam and foam board insulation. We read that it has a very high R-value compared to other types of insulation. The higher the R-value the better the insulation. When we are installing attic insulation if we use foam board insulation it has an R-value of 4 to 8 depending on the thickness. We learned that polyurethane and polyisocyanurate are two attic blown in insulation types we could use. Most people suggest the blow in foam insulation over boards as the foam adheres to and fills in all surfaces. These blow in foams have an R-value of 7 per inch used.

We also learned that attic ceiling insulation needs to breath. The roof is where excess moisture in your home evaporates. The last thing you want to do is trap moisture in the roof where it can cause damage to the roof and wood frame. When installing ceiling insulation use polyisocyanurate which actually breathes.

If you're considering having attic ceiling insulation installed in your home try to get the recommendations from friends and family of local trustworthy installers. Do your homework. There is a wealth of information online about insulation. You can read about Owens Corning insulation, styrofoam insulation, armaflex insulation, mineral wool insulation and attic blown in insulation. The right choice is crucial to help save your hard earned money.

Garage Door Insulation


Is Your Garage Door Insulated?

Do you know that you can lose precious heat through your garage door? Have you considered installing garage door insulation? Perhaps you should. We have a two car garage. It's not heated, most aren't. So, you may wonder, just how you are losing heating through it? Here's how. Most garage doors open directly into the kitchen, as our's does. We always notice the kitchen feels a bit chillier during the cold winter months and always feel a chill when opening the door out to the garage. However we never considered garage door insulation until we saw a neighbor installing it.We got online and did some research into garage door insulation. It seems that not a lot of people consider insulating their garage doors, so we're not alone. Of course installing garage door insulation will help keep the garage cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In fact, the use of reflective foil garage door insulation can keep the garage up to 20 degrees cooler in the summer.

Another place that may be in need of insulation is the garage ceiling, especially if you have living space above the garage. A lot of homeowners notice the change in temperature in living spaces above garages during warm/cold months of the year.

It's easy to find garage door insulation kits online. It's a definite do-it-yourself project. Most garage door insulation kits use reflective double foil panels. R-values are how insulative products are rated. The higher the R-value the better the insulative effect. Reflect double foil garage door insulation generally has an R-value of 6.0.

These panel kits come in a variety of sizes which allow them to fit most standard metal residential garage door easily. They can be cut to fit exactly with a utility knife. Some more expensive garage door insulation kits have insulation panels that fit exactly so they don't need trimming at all. Most kits come with double sided tape.

You can use residential insulation panels bought at Home Depot or Lowes just as well. Some homeowners prefer to buy fiberglass and foam insulation with a higher R-value rating and install it themselves. If you do-it-yourself you can use metal duct tape.

Don't forget to take into account the extra weight you're adding to the garage door when you install insulation. You may have to re-balance the spring-tension of the garage door opener. At the same check to make sure that the rubber gasket between the door and the floor is sealing tightly.

Foam Roof Insulation


Polyurethane Foam Roofing Systems For Business And Residential Buildings

Whether you're a business owner or a home owner you need to look to ways to save money on energy. With rising energy costs affecting both businesses and home owners, if you're thinking about increasing the insulation on your building or home, or if you're thinking about a new roof, perhaps you should consider a foam roof insulation.We heard about foam roof insulation from a business owner, my brother-in-law. He owns a very successful car dealership in our area. When he needed to have a new roofing system put on his business he researched the industrial insulation market. He talked to several polyurethane foam roofing specialists. The first thing he was interested in was a product that was going to have a long life. He needed something that was going to be energy efficient.

Foam roof insulation systems are also called coated foam roof systems or SPF roofing system (sprayed in place polyurethane foam). These polyurethane foam roofing insulation systems have an R-value of between 6.8 and 7.14, which is very high. They are lightweight when compared to convention roofing systems, weighing about 1/10th of a conventional roof. These foam roofs can be sprayed over almost any type of material, concrete, metal or built-up roofs.

Foam roof insulation systems are self-flashing and seamless which means there is no way for water to enter through the roof. When sprayed the polyurethane foam seals the surface completely and totally. This polyurethane foam insulation is durable and adheres to most substrates. It's virtually maintenance free. All it will need is an occasional re-application of the protective coating.

Foam roof insulation and the protective "cool coatings" that are sprayed on top of the polyurethane foam meet Energy Star guidelines. The acrylic coatings that are use can reduce energy costs by 50% and also maintain 70% of their reflectance a full three years after installation. All this adds up to incredible savings on energy costs.

Another thing to consider is that foam roof insulation is a proven technology. It's been used in commercial applications for over thirty years. Many business owners know the many advantages of foam roof insulation over other types of roofing.

So can this SPF roofing system work on a home? Yes! Especially if you have a flat roof on your home. You too can enjoy the proven money saving advantages of foam roof insulation on your home.

Expanding Foam Insulation


Expanding foam insulation is undoubtedly the insulation of choice if you're building a home or adding to your existing home. Expanding spray foam polyurethane insulation is cheaper than installing foam boards. Another reason for the popularity of spray expanding foam insulation is that it molds itself and fills an area completely ensuring that it's completely insulated. Unlike traditional insulation materials like Owens Corning fiberglass batt, foam insulation will seal the tiniest seams and cracks.

If you are considering replacing insulation or choosing insulation for the first time you should familiarize yourself with R-values. R-values are a rating of the insulative properties of all insulations, including expanding foam insulation. According to the EERE Consumer's Guide the R-value "indicates an insulation's resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value the greater the insulative effectiveness." R-values are based on the depth of insulation used. If you install multiple layers of insulation you will add together the R-values of the layers. Some polyurethane spray foams are rated R-7 per inch. This means 2 inches will give you an R-value of 14.

You will also want to keep in mind the climate where you live as well as the heating and cooling system in your home. These things will help dictate how much R-value you need to look for when using expanding foam insulation.

You can install your own expandable foam insulation in your home, however it can be a messy job and requires the proper clothing, breathing apparatus and safety procedures to be followed. Expandable foam insulation is a two-part product and the components are mixed together through the sprayer. There are some spray foam businesses that have equipment rental programs where you can rent sprayers. Some polyurethane expandable foam insulation kits come with disposable dispensing guns. You may find it is quicker and safer to hire a professional installer.

There are two different types of expandable foam insulation, open cell and closed cell. Polyurethane foam insulation is closed cell. Polyisocyanurate is an open cell urethane foam. The open foam has larger cell walls and air spaces throughout the material. Closed foam insulation is extremely dense because the air pockets are full of gas, which gives it a high R-value.

The area of your home will dictate whether you want an open-cell expandable foam insulation or a closed-cell expandable foam insulation. Closed-cell foam is definitely stronger and has reduced leakage of water or air vapors. This is fine in areas where you won't have a build up of water. You will want to make sure you use an open-cell SPF (sprayed in place polyurethane foam) in your attic so that water vapors can escape through your roof.

Three Types Of Blow In Insulation


Today every homeowner is looking for ways to save money. The cost of everything is through the roof, especially energy costs. Home heating costs have soared over 70% in some areas. If you live in an existing home consider the use of blow in insulation, which can help save 20%-40% on energy bills.

There are several different types of blow in insulation you can choose from when installing attic insulation. It's also possible for you to do-it-yourself if you're so inclined. You'll find fiberglass and cellulose the most commonly installed by homeowners. It's easy to find equipment to rent for this type of blow in insulation. Cellulose is often used because it has a higher R-value than other types of blow in insulation. Some homeowners prefer to use cellulose because it is a "green" product. It is made out of recycled newspapers and does not contain formaldehyde. Cellulose blow in insulation is also a loose product which helps it to seal different shaped areas more easily than other types of insulation. Cellulose also has more R-value per inch than blow in fiberglass.

Fiberglass blow in insulation is not combustible, which is important to some homeowners. It will also not lose any of it's R-value during it's installed lifetime. Blow in fiberglass insulation also gives a better R-value than a fiberglass batt such as Owens Corning insulation. This is because of the way the blow in fiberglass lays in the attic.

We also decided that along with attic blown in insulation we wanted residential foam insulation put in the walls. We decided to use foam because we read this is the most effective material for that application. Foam insulation will not shrink, nor will it expand so it's perfect for existing walls. It will also completely fill any shaped wall. Spray foam insulation also gives a bit of soundproofing in a home. You'll not be able to do your own foam blow in insulation. It takes special equipment so you'll need to have a professional do the job for you. This does mean that you'll incur some extra costs but in the long run the money saved on your energy bill will make it worth it.

Before you start any residential foam insulation or attic ceiling insulation project make sure you have a thorough understanding of the R-value of the insulation you're using and follow the manufacturers instructions to make sure you get the correct amount of insulative protection. Installing attic blown in insulation is easy to do for most homeowners. Make sure you also protect your body, eyes, and lungs from exposure to the insulation. Follow all safety precautions recommended by the manufacturer.

Steam Pipe Insulation


Whether you're a business owner or a homeowner you need to save money where ever you can. Making sure you have a tightly and properly insulated building is just one way. Whether it's foam roof insulation, residential foam insulation, blown in insulation or steam pipe insulation you need to spend money to get quality insulation that will save you valuable energy money in the long run.

My husband and I are business owners, and home owners. We've tried to insulate both our buildings to the best of our ability. We have had foam roof insulation but on our business, and have open cell attic ceiling insulation. We have had expanding foam insulation added throughout the walls in our home. However the one type of insulation my husband and I hadn't thought about was steam pipe insulation.

We live in a very old home with an unfinished basement. It wasn't until we were visiting a neighbor that we learned about steam pipe insulation. He had placed it in his home. He said that he noticed how warm his basement was from the hot water pipes and knew it was costing him a lot of money. He wanted to capture that warmth and keep it in the pipes. He spoke with a builder who suggested that he use steam pipe insulation on all the pipes in his basement.

The type of insulation you're looking for is an easily identifiable fiberglass pipe insulation. In it's easiest to use form it's a piece of insulation that a is surrounded by a high intensity kraft paper. It's shaped like a pipe, and comes in different lengths and widths. It's easy to measure and then cut to fit perfectly. The steam pipe insulation comes with an adhesive strip to keep it on the pipe.

The type of steam pipe insulation that we chose was a Micro-Lok fiberglass pipe insulation. It can be used over hot or cold, concealed or exposed piping. The company Thermwell makes a pre-slit fiberglass self-sealing fiberglass tube pipe insulation that comes in a variety of lengths and widths. Tunuap and Armstrong also make insulating pipe tapes. Owens Corning insulation has fiberglass pipe insulation that has an R-value of 5 per inch. This steam pipe insulation is molded of heavy density resin bonded with inorganic glass fibers.

Installing steam pipe insulation is a very simple job that should be done by the homeowner. It's simple to measure and install preformed insulation on all the exposed pipes in your basement, or any area in your home to give you added energy saving.