Foam Q & A
- What is Spray Foam Insulation?
- What R-Value does spray foam provide?
- What brand of Spray Foam does HES use?
- How important is R-Value?
- How "green" is Spray Foam Insulation?
- My house was built with a vented attic. Can I use spray foam insulation?
- Are there health hazards associated with spray foam insulation?
Have an insulation or spray foam question? Submit it here.
What is Spray Foam Insulation (SFI)?
SFI is an air sealing insulation applied to roofs, walls or foundations which far outperforms traditional batt or blown insulation. There are two main types of SFI: Open Cell and Closed Cell. Open cell SFI acts as an air barrier and allows a slight amount of air to slowly breath through the material. Closed cell insulation is a complete air barrier and a complete moisture barrier. For this reason, closed cell insulation is the only SFI appropriate for below grade applications. Air sealing is key to the success of all SFI installations.
Technical Answer: Spray Foam Insulation is a two part material which, when combined, creates a chemical reaction that causes the liquid to become foam and grow 20-100 times its volume within seconds. The reaction is complete and the foam sets within 1-2 minutes of application. to top
Modern Marvels looks at Spray Foam - Watch Video
This Old House - Open Cell full fill wall insulation - Watch Video
What R-Value does spray foam provide?
There are several types of foam and several manufacturers. Each type and manufacturer differ slightly. Open cell foam has R-values of 3.4-4 per inch. Closed cell foam has R-values of 6.4 to 6.9 per inch. Both open and closed cell foam provide the benefit of air seal. Closed cell foam provides a complete moisture barrier. to top
What brand of Spray Foam does HES use?
Hottel Energy Solutions is an independent insulation service provider. Therefore we are not tied to a specific brand of foam. This gives us the fredom to install products from a variety of manufacturers. Our product offerings include:
- NCFI - Insulstar®
- BioBased
R-Value is the measure of a materials ability to resist changes in temperature. While this is an important factor in insulating your home, it is not the only consideration for those looking to achieve energy efficiency. Laboratory tests have shown that up to 50% of a building's energy loss is due to air leakage, air sealing is recognized by building scientists as fundamental to achieving an efficient building envelope.
How "green" is Spray Foam Insulation?
When considering how green a product is, there are two primary areas to consider. First, the embodied energy, the type and amount of petroleum necessary to manufacture the product. Second, energy impact; the environmental effects of the application of the product, or how much energy the use of the product will save over time. A third important consideration is the products toxicity to the natural environment. Spray Foam is non-toxic and inert a few seconds after application.
Embodied Energy: Most SFI is petroleum based (most have varying amounts of vegetable or recycled materials, usually less than 20% by volume). A typical 2500 sq. ft home will use less than 200 gallons of refined petroleum products.
Energy Impact: By reducing energy consumption 20-50%, thousands of tons of CO2 can be saved over the life of their home. The greatest green value of spray foam lies in its ability to air seal. By sealing in the air, HVAC efficiency is increased. In a house with $600 per month energy bills, this translates into potential energy savings of $1440 per year. to top
Toxicity: Cured spray foam is non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and chemically stable. No CFC's or HCFC's are released during the manufacturer or application of spray foam insulation.
My house was built with a vented attic. Can I use spray foam insulation?
Eliminating the vented attic will save 20% on your heating & cooling costs and extend shingle & roof life. In years past, builders vented attics and installed larger heating and cooling units to make up for the lost heat and cooling. This was the accepted industry practice. Energy was inexpensive. Things have changed, specifically the cost of energy. By eliminating venting in attic spaces, energy usage can be reduced by 30-50%. Energy costs have risen to make utility bills a significant monthly expense. Reducing environmental costs is a matter of good citizenship. to top
More Info @ Building Science.com
Here is a great explaination of unvented roofs.
Are there health hazards associated with spray foam insulation?
At HESFoam, we recommend all persons stay clear from the application area. This is to avoid contact with any uncured foam. Once foam has been applied and cured it is chemically dead, and there is no out gassing of chemicals. No CFC's or HCFC's are released in the manufacturing or spraying processes. to top