Spray foam insulation seals nooks and crannies better than fiberglass or cellulose batt insulation. This can prevent air leaks that can lead to drafts and ice dams.
The closed-cell properties of spray foam also help to prevent water from entering the home. This helps prevent mold and mildew from forming, creating a healthier environment.
Indoor Air Quality
Commercial insulation is a cutting-edge solution that creates a seamless barrier against heat loss. The closed-cell foam sprayed on walls, floors, and lofts can fill all the nooks and crannies that might make it hard to regulate temperature in a space.
Its airtight seal prevents drafts and inadvertent air leakage that could bring moisture into a home or commercial building. This can help reduce the risk of mold and mildew and keep outdoor pollutants like VOCs out. Unlike traditional insulation, spray foam contains an inert polymer that doesn’t promote mold and bacteria growth. This means a healthier environment for all building occupants. In addition, the blowing agents used to expand spray foam have a lower global warming potential than carbon dioxide, which also helps slow climate change.
Energy Efficiency
Spray foam insulation forms an airtight seal that restricts the flow of hot and cold air, reducing the workload on HVAC systems. This enables HVAC systems to run more efficiently, which reduces energy costs. In addition to the energy-saving benefits, closed-cell spray foam strengthens walls and roofs. It is also resistant to sagging and settlement. It also helps to improve indoor air quality, particularly in homes where moisture may affect other insulation materials.
By enhancing residential insulation and air sealing, you can significantly reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. The savings from a well-insulated house typically “pay for” the cost of the spray foam installation within a few years in energy costs alone.
Waterproofing
Spray foam insulation is impervious to water, which means it completely seals and protects against moisture that can lead to mold and mildew. It’s also composed of an inert material that doesn’t give organisms a food source, so it doesn’t encourage the growth of bacteria and mold.
With proper spray foam installation, you’ll get fewer days where you don’t need to run your HVAC system — and those savings can quickly add up and offset the installation cost. Choosing spray foam that uses low GWP blowing agents such as HFOs (which have a lower global warming potential than carbon dioxide) can further reduce your energy bill.
In addition to reducing energy bills, spray foam insulation reduces noise levels. The air pockets within closed-cell spray foam create barriers that prevent sound from traveling, so you won’t have to worry about waking up your neighbors or the sounds of the garage, birds, and footsteps from filtering into your home.
Maintenance
Spray foam insulation is one of the most environmentally friendly building products. The inert polymer creates an indefinite lifespan, meaning it performs optimally for years without requiring replacement or repair. It also helps reduce energy consumption, which is good for the environment and your wallet. It protects against moisture and mold growth and keeps pests out of the home, thus reducing health risks. Gaps, cracks, and air leaks are the main culprits behind high energy bills. Spray foam acts as insulation and an air sealant, closing those nooks and crannies that let valuable energy escape. At the same time, your heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system works hard to make up the difference.
It is important to note that closed-cell spray polyurethane foam has a higher price point than open-cell foam. This is because it starts with more raw materials to create the same amount of finished insulation as open-cell foam.