Spray Foam Insulation

This is a common topic that constantly comes up with clients during home inspections. I figured I’d post a blog all about spray foam insulation and why you as a home owner need to know about it.

Beautiful!

Spray foam insulation is different to your traditional fibreglass insulation in that it is a two-part mixture that is sprayed out the tip of a gun. This expanding foam is great for insulating attics, wall cavities, concrete slabs and just about anything that needs insulating around your home. 

Spray foam also had the highest R-value of all insulations available. R-value is known as thermal resistance and is a way to understand how good insulation performs. The higher the R-value of an insulation product lets you know how effective the product may be over another similar product. Closed cell spray foam insulation typically has an R-value of R-5 to –R-6 per inch. Typical fibreglass insulation has an R-value of R-2 to R-4 per inch.

In comes in two types:

Open Cell Insulation:

This type of spray foam insulation is exactly as it sounds. The cells it is composed of are not completely closed. It still is a good air barrier, but it not considered a vapour barrier. It is more sponge like and is not recommended for exterior use.

Closed Cell Insulation:

This type of spray foam insulation is composed of completely closed cells. The foam is more dense than open cell and is a both an air barrier as well as a vapour barrier. This product can be used anywhere in the home and is becoming a popular choice for new residential construction.

The benefits of using spray foam insulation:

• Savings on your homes energy costs & utility bills. 
• Better thermal resistance. Higher R-value per inch. 
• Protects buildings against moisture, which reduces the chance of mold and mildew. 
• Reduces noise & provides a very comfortable home that is easy to maintain a constant temperature. 

Spray foam insulation is great product and is highly recommended for making your home more energy efficient. It does however come at a higher price than traditional fibreglass insulation and may not be suitable for everyone. If you are considering using spray foam insulation on your home please contact a few local insulation contractors and make sure you find out what products work best for you and your budget.

If you have any questions about your home or potential inspection please feel free to contact us anytime. House CSI