Spray Foam Insulation

1045 Words3 Pages

Spray Foam Insulation

1- Sound Barrier

Many people use spray foam insulation to decrease energy costs in homes and commercial buildings. Adding or increasing the insulation in an existing structure can save hundreds of dollars a year in heating and air conditioning bills. Another reason to insulate that is not often considered is to control noise. Insulation in the walls and ceiling can act as a muffler or sound barrier to noise produced by heating and air conditioning units, phones, piping, appliances and radios. A quieter workplace is much nicer to work in than a noisy one. Studies show that quiet conditions increase a worker's efficiency.

2- R Values

Most existing homes and other structures are filled with fiberglass insulation that is very inexpensive, so it keeps the initial building costs down. It actually ends up costing the owner more money, because fiberglass rarely stops air leaks efficiently. Additionally, the material has a low R value and absorb moisture so it is prone to unhealthy mold and mildew. Spray foam insulation will stop the air leaks which will save you money on your utility bills. It also has a very high R value of eight for each inch. Fiberglass only has a R value of one for each inch.

3- Cold Feet

I knew that there was a lot of heat seeping through my attic and walls. There was just too much warm air escaping during the winter, and we never could get totally warm on the coldest nights. My brother told me about a better material to use than my old fiberglass batt insulation. He suggested using spray foam insulation to fill spaces between the studs in the walls and attic. Once it is applied, it expands to over 100 times its original volume so it effectively seals any gaps and cracks to the outside. ...

... middle of paper ...

... for those with allergies. The foam can reduce the maintenance and wear of heating and air conditioning equipment. It meets or exceeds building codes, and it adds strength to the structure.

10- Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane foam is typically used to make spray foam insulation. It is a superior alternative to runs of spun fiberglass sheeting used to weatherproof walls ceilings and attics. The foam creates a barrier to prevent heat from escaping during the winter, and it also keeps homes much cooler in the summer. Spray foam offers much better sealing, because it can fit down into all little nooks and crannies. It prevents even the smallest drafts due to this unique ability to fill the small spaces. The foam comes as closed-cell or open-cell types, and the choice depends upon your application. Closed-cell has a higher R value but is more expensive than open-cell.

Open Document