What Are the Different Types of Spray Foam Insulations?
Spray foam is pretty handy to seal any cracks into your ceiling, walls, and anywhere else. There are different types of spray foam based on cell structure and density.
Each of these types of spray foam has its unique attributes and benefits. In this guide, we are going to explore and compare these types, so keep reading.
What Does Spray Foam Do?
Spray foam is a unique sealing and insulation product applied on the site as it conforms to the surface where you are applying it. The entire application procedure creates a tight envelope around your home or building. The entire purpose of doing this is to improve the energy efficiency of the building.
This spray foam insulation and sealants are made by mixing unique components in their liquid form. These liquids then react with one another, so you have to apply them as quickly as possible. As soon as these components get in contact with one another, they create foam.
This spray foam insulates and seals gaps within the cracks and crevices, holding moisture, air, and vapor to one side. With this barrier in place, energy consumption is reduced, and those pollutants and allergens are held off too. It makes your entire home much more comfortable.
Benefits of Spray Foam
There are various benefits of spray foam. Whether your home is a newly constructed one or an older project, you can use spray foam to insulate your house effectively. This spray foam will create barriers for moisture and air to enter your home through those holes or gaps in your walls or ceiling.
There is no other product that can match the performance of this spray foam. It can reduce energy bills significantly by reducing heat loss/gain. It can also eliminate air leaks and improve the overall energy efficiency of your home.
A recent study has found that spray foam can reduce energy consumption by up to 5638 kWh annually compared to the same building insulated with something else.
It amounts to the reduction in greenhouse gas, CO2 by up to 1566 kilograms annually. In other words, it equals about a 33 percent reduction in annual car emissions. Therefore, you can reduce your carbon footprint from your energy consumption in your home.
Therefore, you can help in dealing with climate change. Homes with spray foam insulations can reduce their energy costs and are entitled to receive rebates and tax credits too.
Different Types of Spray Foam
Based on cell structure
Spray foam is available in two different types based on cell structure. One is an open-cell structure, and the other is a closed-cell structure.
● Open-cell structure
The open-cell structure is spray foam that is full of cells that are not entirely encapsulated. In Simple words, these cells are deliberately left open. As a result, this type of spray foam is softer and more flexible.
● Closed-cell structure
The spray foam with a closed-cell structure is made of cells that are encapsulated closely together. These cells are pressed together to make sure it is air or moisture and gets into the foam. Therefore, this type is much more stable and rigid as compared to its open cell counterpart.
Based on density
Based on density, there are three different types of spray foam. Closed-cell spray foam is much denser than its open-cell counterpart. But it has further two categories. You will have to noise the R-value here to distinguish these three sub-styles of spray foam. R-value is the resistance of spray foam to heat flow. A higher R-value refers to a greater power of insulation.
● High density
High-density spray foam is a pure closed-cell spray foam with a density of over 3 lbs per cubic foot. Its R-value is over 5.5 per inch. It is a useful type of spray foam for roofing and exterior applications.
Building contractors turn to this type when they need high strength and values. It is a denser foam. It will be highly resistive to any heat flow either in vapor, moisture, or air.
Therefore, this type of spray foam is used in roofing and exterior application. It will maintain the inner temperature of your house or building steadily. Therefore, it will reduce your energy consumption significantly.
● Medium-density
It is another type of closed-cell spray foam, but it is less dense than high-density spray foam. Its density is 2 lbs per cubic feet while its R-value stays between 3.6 per inch and 5.5 per inch. Builders use this type frequently for interior cavity fill, continuous insulation, and other non-vented attic applications.
● Low density
This type of spray foam is an open-cell spray foam with a low density of up to 0.5 lbs per cubic foot. As a result, its R-value is lower than 3.6 per inch, and it is an ideal choice for interior wall cavity filling and other non-vented attic applications.
Book Your Assessment Right Now
Want to hire a company that provides the best spray foam solutions for your home? Pick up your phone or send us an email right now, and we will be in touch with you in no time. We deal in high-quality 2 lbs. spray foam (medium density), and we are right at your service.
In your initial assessment, we will run a check on your house and provide you with details on where your house stands in mold probability and moisture control. Then, our team of experts will provide you with all the steps and measures you can take to keep your costs under control.
