What is Spray Foam Insulation?

What is spray foam insulation and how can it benefit you with your business or home?

About Insulation

Insulating your home or office has many benefits, such as a reduction in electricity bills, improved air quality, and improved comfort. Insulation is made of materials that are meant to stop heat or sound from moving from one place to another. It is usually used to keep heat and/or sound in or out of your home or to keep it in certain parts of your home. Insulation can function in a variety of ways, but the majority of the time it is made of materials that contain millions of tiny air pockets.

What is Spray Foam insulation?

Spray polyurethane foam insulation is a 2 part liquid applied plastic applied under heat and pressure that expands up to 100 times its original size! This is the only type of insulation that provides seamless, continuous, monolithic air and vapour barriers while boasting fire retardant properties. These unique feature of spray foam insulation make it the ultimate multipurpose insulation solution for energy efficiency and various other benefits.

Why Insulation?

Our beautiful Cayman Islands normally experience fantastic tropical weather throughout the year. However, these lovely conditions aren't always suitable for indoor living. Because of the tropical temperatures, it is difficult to keep spaces cold all year round without spending a small fortune. To protect and improve indoor environments, spray foam insulation forms a thermal shield around people, pets, buildings, equipment, and materials. Spray foam insulation helps us in the Cayman Islands by keeping the heat and humidity outside while keeping the inside cool and dry.

What’s wrong with traditional insulations such as fiberglass, cellulose, etc?

The answer is air leakage.

Traditional insulations are known for having high thermal resistance properties (also known as R-Value), but these properties only stay true in an absolute zero wind and zero moisture environment. Zero wind and zero moisture are not real-world. Our houses leak air, all our buildings leak air, and they often leak water. This is known as air infiltration or exfiltration, depending on the air pressure of the building. Water vapor from the atmosphere, showers, cooking, breathing, etc. constantly moves back and forth through walls and ceilings. If an attic is not properly ventilated,

How is spray foam insulation different?

The answer is air sealing - keep the outside air out, and the inside air in.

Spray Polyurethane Foam insulation works differently from traditional insulations by being applied as a liquid then expanding up to 100 times its original size to fill gaps, cracks and crevices, stopping air leaks. Spray foam will never shrink, settle or sag, and is able to conform to hard to insulate spaces such as around plumbing and electrical fixtures in walls and is a completely custom fitted, continuous insulation, thermal envelope that provides a seamless, multipurpose barrier. Traditional types of insulation, on their own, are not able to accomplish this. By air sealing, a new world of benefits arise. It can reduce utility costs up to 60%,

Open Cell vs Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation

The answer is air leakage.

Open and closed cell foam are two different types of spray foam insulation. Each has strengths and weaknesses, and neither is necessarily better.

Closed-Cell Benefits
  • R-value of R6 – R7 per inch means more heat flow resistance. 
  • Expands to seal air off from cracks, crevices, creases which helps prevent intrusion of hot air, salt air, humidity, bug/pest infiltration and outdoor pollutants for optimum indoor air quality.
  • Fully adhered which will never sink, settle or sag, lasting 50+ years or the lifetime of the structure.
  • 99% waterproof to act as a secondary water mitigation system.
Open-Cell Benefits

  • R-value of R3 – R4 per inch means higher value than traditional insulation and does not lose performance due to humidity or air movement like fibrous insulations.
  • Rigid, medium-density foam which adds structural and/or racking strength to assemblies.

So how should I insulate? It depends on location, insulation goals, and budget. Call the Foam Pros today to find out your best solution.

Free Quotation

img-10
4
5
2
3

Spray Foam FAQs

Spray foam insulation is a type of insulation that is made of polyurethane or a similar material. It is applied as a liquid and then expands and hardens to form a tight seal that helps to prevent air leaks and reduce energy costs.
Spray foam insulation offers a range of benefits, including improved energy efficiency, reduced noise pollution, and improved indoor air quality. It can also help to prevent mold growth and protect against moisture damage.
Spray foam insulation is typically installed by a professional contractor who will use specialized equipment to apply the liquid foam to the desired area. The foam expands and hardens within a few minutes, creating a tight seal that helps to prevent air leaks and reduce energy costs.
Spray foam insulation is generally considered safe, but it is important to ensure that it is installed correctly and in accordance with all relevant safety guidelines. It is also important to follow all recommended safety precautions during installation, as exposure to the chemicals in the foam can be harmful.
The cost of spray foam insulation can vary depending on a range of factors, including the size and complexity of the installation, the type of foam used, and the location of the property. However, it is generally considered to be a cost-effective option over the long term, as it can help to reduce energy costs and improve indoor comfort.