Expanding Foam Insulation

The Benefits Of Expanding Foam Insulation

You may have heard about Expanding Foam Insulation or seen it used on the TV home renovations, but you may not know why it is used over the traditional fiberglass insulation.  This newer form of insulation is becoming increasingly popular within new construction and even home renovations.  Spray foam insulation is made out of polyurethane or acrylic latex.  It has been used as an insulator for many years in refrigerators and water heaters for many years.  Now more and more contractors are realizing the many benefits it carries when using it as a home insulator.

One of the most beneficial aspects of expanding foam insulation is that it fills any cracks and crevices that are between the joists that may not be seen.  Typical insulation can not fill all crevices therefor leaving cracks for moisture and air to enter the home.  When the spray is applied, it will begin to expand, sealing any cracks that it may come in contact with.  It then will dry to a solid aerated material.  The whole idea behind insulation is to minimize energy transfer between walls.  This expanding insulation maximizes a home's energy efficiency by dramatically reducing the loss of heat.  You can actually achieve the same r-value with only 4" of spray foam insulation as you would 6" of traditional fiberglass.  This will allow contractors to reduce building costs since they will only have to building 4" walls, as opposed to 6".

Another benefit that expanding foam insulation has over traditional fiberglass insulation is that it does not absorb or transfer of moisture.  Many homes have problems with moisture and humidity which can lead to a structural breakdown of the wood materials as well as cause mold to form.  Since spray foam doesn't allow for this transfer of moisture, you reduce if not eliminate the problems associated with moisture.  Also, since spray foam dries to such a hard substance, it will actually increase the structural integrity of the roof and walls of the home.

There are a few drawbacks to using expanding foam insulation, like it does cost around three times as much as fiberglass and due to the chemicals and potential hazards with the material prior to its hardening, it is recommended that you hire a professional to install it for you.  The brand of insulation used will depend on the professional you hire.  One brand used by professionals is Polar Foam 7300.  It is said to have the highest R value of any spray foams available on the market.  When looking to hire a professional, make sure to ask for references so that you know they do professional work and use quality materials. 

The benefits of using expanding spray foam insulation certainly out way the drawbacks and over time, the money saved from energy, is well worth the initial investment.