Spray foam insulation is a popular option these days, and it is a great choice for many homes. At Insulation Rebates, we will look at spray foam insulation as a possibility for your house, taking into account the R-value recommendation for your area along with your desired price range.
Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation
Back in the day, in order to make sure that insulation was working as effectively as it should have been, there were many different layers of insulation. There would be sawdust, vermiculite, fiberglass batt, and cellulose all crammed in one attic to make sure that heat was not lost from the house. Today we still use batting and cellulose to help keep the heat in, but there is a major innovation in today’s insulation that has made the processes much more efficient. Spray foam has contributed greatly to the insulation processes that we use today and is used in most homes looking to become more energy efficient.
- It has a high R-value. The R-value in closed-cell polyurethane spray foam is higher than in any other insulation that is used today. Though it depends on which formula of spray foam, the value is usually around R-6.2 per ince, if not higher.
- It acts as an air barrier. Not only does spray foam insulate, but it also air-seals at the same time. The basic property of the spray foam expanding once sprayed out of the can makes it a perfect material to air-seal any cracks. It can be used in these areas specifically as an air barrier, or it can be used in bigger areas and act as the sole source of insulation.
- It is waterproof. Another reason spray foam is so popular is that it is waterproof. The way the cells in the foam are oriented creates a barrier that water cannot pass through.
Spray foam is also a more reliable form of insulation than almost any other kind of insulation. There is a lot of room for human error in almost all other insulations. Gaps and indecent coverage of an area are common problems when trying to piece together sheets of insulation. Spray foam expands to fill the entire area and has a very sticky surface that will ensure that it stays in place.
Disadvantages of Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation is an effective way to insulate and a great option for your home. It does have some drawbacks, however. Here are some things that you should consider before choosing spray foam insulation.
- It is expensive. Since spray foam is one of the most effective options for insulating your home, it can get a little pricey. When done right, it can cost more than double or triple the amount that other options will cost you.
- It is difficult to get right. All spray foams are not the same. They all expand and fill differently. A technician has to know where to spray the foam, the appropriate kind of foam, and the right places to spray. For instance, you don’t want to spray high-expanding foam in an area where it might affect a door or a window negatively, but you don’t want low-expanding foam where you need more insulation. The balance can be tricky to get it right.
- Temperature plays a factor. The chemicals that cause the insulation to foam are effected by temperature. It is imperative that when using the spray, it is within the temperature that is directed.