Nowadays, the use of spray foam insulation has become a big consideration during home construction. Many homeowners believe that spray foam insulation can help save energy cost and lower utility bills, protect homes from moisture, reduce noise, and more. But what is spray foam insulation and what is it made of? What are the benefits of using spray foam insulation? This article will give you an idea about spray foam insulation.
What Is Spray Foam Insulation And Where Can It Be Applied?
Spray foam insulation is a chemical solution that is commonly used for sealing. It is also known as a specialty packing material that when applied to a product or surface forms the shape of the product being packed. It is an alternative to traditional fiberglass insulation used during construction and is mostly applied to existing walls or onto a roof. Spray foam insulation can also be installed in crawl spaces, basements, and HVAC systems. This expandable, foam substance can be sprayed on pipes, cracks, sills, and framing. It can also optimize the performance of heating and air conditioning systems when applied on pipes, condensers, floor registers, and ductwork. Spray foam insulation is not limited for indoor use. It can also be used for outdoor projects such as repairing stonewalls, sealing water features, and securing block walls in landscapes.
Spray foam insulation has two types and these include Open- and Closed-Cell Foam. Open-cell foam is known as half-pound foam. This low-density foam has an R-value of 3.5 to 3.6 per inch. A closed-cell foam or two-pound foam is denser than the open-cell foam and has an R-value of 6 to 6.5 per inch. Homeowners should check on what type of spray foam insulation they are going to use. Homeowners should know that the higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation properties. However, measuring insulation through their R-value is not the only way to know the effectiveness of the insulation. Other factors that homeowners should consider when deciding to install spray foam insulation include conduction, convection, radiation, air filtration and intrusion, and moisture accumulation.
Why Use Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray foam insulation is one of the most economical ways to seal homes. Protecting homes from moisture is one of the reasons why homeowners use spray foam insulation. Spray foam insulation can also prevent unwanted air and heat from entering homes. This kind of sealing solution can also prevent air leaks that can waste energy and increase utility bills. Another common reason why homeowners choose to apply spray foam insulation is to soundproof a room especially for homes or units along busy streets.
How Much Will It Cost To Apply Spray Foam Insulation In Homes?
The cost of installing spray foam insulation varies for newly constructed homes and older homes. It is believed that the cost of applying spray foam insulation for newly constructed homes is cheaper as compared to using it in old homes. Spraying foam insulation in a newly constructed home is easier since the contractor can ensure that the insulation will work effectively and can use the best design as a defense against noise, moisture, and heat transfer. Applying spray foam insulation in older homes that contain existing insulation can cost additional time and money.
What Are Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Spray Foam Insulation?
One of the advantages of spray foam insulation is that it helps lower utility costs because the application of it into walls or other indoor surfaces can block heat and cold from the outdoors. In a recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, around 40% of energy is lost because of poor insulation. Other benefits of spray foam insulation are its effectiveness in protecting homes against moisture which otherwise can cause the development of mold and mildew, which are harmful to people’s health. Another known benefit from the application of spray foam insulation is its ability to reduce noise.
Though spray foam insulation has a number of benefits, it also has some disadvantages and is usually linked to health issues. Accordingly, spray foam insulation has been known to cause the irritation of the eye and the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. The spray foam can also be linked to some cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis that can cause a dry cough, chest tightness, fever, muscle aches, and headaches to name a few. Homeowners may ask the insulation contractor about their thoughts on those mentioned health issues before deciding to have the spray foam insulation applied in their homes.
Conclusion
If you are searching for an economical way to seal your home from cracks or leaks, then you might want to consider applying spray foam insulation. Its installation cost will depend on whether the spray foam insulation will be applied to a newly constructed or older home. It has many uses and some might even help homeowners lower their utility bills. Though there are some health issues linked to spray foam insulation, still this specialty packing material is weighed as one of the best sealing solutions for homes.
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