Does Spray Foam Insulation
Have
Building Code Approvals?
Yes! Spray Foam Insulation
has approval of all four major building codes
in the United States and the Canadian building
code. In fact, it is one of the most extensively
tested insulation products ever. Concern in the
1970's over the excessive off-gassing of an early
foam product called urea formaldehyde, and related
concerns in subsequent years over the health effects
of other insulating products, specifically asbestos
and fiberglass, have resulted in some of the most
thorough and sensitive emissions testing of a
new building product to date. Based upon the results
of this stringent testing, Spray Foam
Insulation met the requirements
of the building codes and subsequent
re-certifications as required on a periodic basis.
What Are The Advantages Of Spray
Foam Insulation?
The major advantage of Spray Foam
Insulation is that it does more
than just insulate. It also windproofs and airseals
wall and ceiling cavities from air movement, with
a 3 1/2" sample of foam proving to be about
24 times less permeable to air infiltration than
a similar thickness of fiberglass batt. In addition,
the insulating power of foam insulation is not
diminished by lower temperatures or by air movement.Its
R-value performs as stated. By contrast, some
building experts state that an R-13 fiberglass
batt in the presence of a 10 mile per hour breeze
(the real world) diminishes the insulating power
of a batt to an R-5! Hardly the kind of protection
from heat and cold you were hoping to arrange
for your family.
What Is Spray Foam Insulation
Made Of?
Spray Foam Insulation
is an organic material developed from products
of the petrochemical industry. It is a two component
system that is sprayed like paint. The chemical
constituents are similar to those used in the
manufacturer of many products already in your
home, such as upholstery foam and the foam used
for pillows and mattresses---although the properties
of the foam are different.
Spray Foam Insulation
is an environmentally friendly urethane in which
the ozone-robbing CFC's have been replaced with
air and water.
How Long Does It Take To Cure?
The foam is created within seconds after spraying. You can watch it expand within seconds to 120 times its original volume, literally before your eyes. It completely cures within a few minutes.
Does Open Cell Spray
Foam Insulation Absorb Water?
No ; it looks like a sponge but it is actually
hydrophobic, i.e. it repels water. If placed in
water it will float, and on removal, it will dry
rapidly with no loss of insulating properties.
If you ever have a roof leak or plumbing leak
in your home which would soak the insulation,
the water will ultimately settle out of foam insulation
and it will not damage the foam. We can't say
the same for other insulations. Water breaks down
the glue in a fiberglass batt so the batt is destroyed
and loses its effectiveness. Water also turns
cellulose (ground newspaper) to mush and it dries
out VERY slowly (have you ever tried to dry out
a wet newspaper?). The cellulose settles into
a lump leaving a large un-insulated cavity in
the wall. Of course, if it remains wet long enough,
it can cause wood to rot and foster mold or mildew
growth within your walls.
Does Spray Foam Insulation Entrap
Water?
No. As stated above, Spray Foam Insulation
is an opened or closed cell foam which is ideal
for architectural purposes. The open cell foam
breathes slowly, and any moisture in the buildings'
concrete or lumber can escape through the foam
as the building dries out, thus eliminating any
risk of lumber rot or mildew usually associated
with materials that trap moisture. Closed cell
foam will simply not let water penetrate it very
easily.
How Long Does Spray
Foam Insulation Last? Does It Change Physically?
Aging is not an issue with Spray
Foam Insulation. It is inert, and
its physical and insulating properties are constant.
Are There Glass Fibers Or Formaldehyde
In Spray Foam Insulation?
No to both. Glass fibers have been listed as
a suspected carcinogen by the EPA and most fiberglass
batt manufacturers now print a warning label on
the wrapper . Formaldehyde was present in an early
commercial foam called urea formaldehyde which
was also used in residential applications in the
early 1970's. Spray Foam Insulation
is free of both glass fibers or formaldehyde and
is a great choice for insulating your new home.
What's Your Question about Insulating With Foam?
Call 651-285-8493
