There are two types of spray foam insulation: open-cell and closed-cell. Open-cell spray foam creates a more effective barrier against sound and air movement, while closed-cell spray foam has more effective in high humidity and extreme temperatures. Closed-cell spray foam also requires more material to properly insulate an area, but it costs more and requires more installation. Which type of spray foam insulation has best for your home? Read on to learn more.

Open-Cell And Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation

Generally speaking, spray foam insulation has a great choice for homeowners looking to save money on their heating bills. There have two types: closed-cell and open-cell. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. In addition to the price difference, closed-cell spray foam has more durable and has twice the R-value of open-cell insulation. Read on to learn more about spray foam insulation and its benefits.

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation

One type of spray foam has closed-cell, which means it doesn’t absorb water. An open-cell foam has a better choice for sound dampening because it doesn’t absorb water, which can lead to mold growth. However, closed-cell foam has less effective in terms of absorbing sound because it does not allow air to pass through it. Both types have benefits, but one of them has more expensive.

Noise Absorption And Air Movement

The best spray foam insulation provides excellent noise absorption and air movement. The open-cell variety expands to 150 times its compressed volume. Because open-cell foam has semi-permeable to moisture, it effectively blocks sound transmission and air movement. The dense, semi-permeable foam matrix reduces sound transmission by up to 90%. It also protects against acoustic emissions by blocking acoustic waves and airflow.

Requirements For Air Permeance

The product used must meet certain requirements for air permeance. It should meet the ASTM E2178 standard, which determines the thickness of a particular material and its ability to form an effective barrier against sound and air movement. For instance, if the product has intended to used in a commercial building, it must meet the requirements for a 40-dB STC rating, which has considered the standard for air barriers.

Most Effective Spray Foam Insulation

The most effective spray foam insulation has the one that can applied to interior walls of a commercial building. Open-cell foam has a great choice for interior walls. It has capable of air-sealing capabilities, making it an ideal barrier material. And it’s also flexible enough to used between wood and metal studs. Open-cell spray foam can used as a main component in an air barrier system, making it an excellent option for both wood and metal stud walls.

Significantly Reduces  Your  HVAC  Bills

When you’re looking for a good insulation solution for your home, consider spray foam. This chemical-based product has applied to walls and ceiling cavities with a sprayer, creating a durable and effective barrier against sound and air. In addition to being an excellent barrier against sound and air movement, spray foam will significantly reduce your HVAC bills. If you have a new home, it’s a great time to invest in spray foam insulation.

Risk Of  Moisture Infiltration

When you’ve recently had water damage in your home, you may have noticed that the moisture in the air has risen. While you may not notice it at first, mold can grow in damp places and cause a wide array of problems for your home, from structural damage to mold spores. While this has a common problem in many homes, it’s best to protect yourself by minimizing the risk of moisture infiltration.

Emergence Of  Mold

To prevent the emergence of mold, you need to lower the humidity in your home. A dehumidifier can help you eliminate excess moisture. Make sure to use a dehumidifier with an inbuilt hygrometer. This way, you won’t overly drying the air. Another way to keep moisture from penetrating your walls has by installing a dehumidifier. Closed-cell spray foam has the best choice because it creates an impenetrable barrier to keep moisture from penetrating the walls.

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation Prevent The Re-Emergence Of The Fungus

Before installing closed-cell spray foam insulation, it has important to clean the area that needs insulation. Spray foam will block airflow and kill any mold that’s already present. It also reduces the chance of mold and fungus spreading to the rest of the home. Moreover, it has important to clean the area of any existing mold or fungi to prevent the re-emergence of the fungus.

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation  Reduces The Risk Of Rodent Waste

While most insulations fail to improve the overall quality of your home, closed-cell spray foam significantly enhances its durability and resistance to Mother Nature’s wrath. Closed-cell spray foam insulation eliminates tiny holes in the building structure that invite pests and other insects. Because the spray foam has applied on surfaces, it forms a hard barrier that deters rodents and insects from intruding. Also, it reduces the risk of rodent waste in your home.

Eliminates The Risk Of Dangerous Mold, Mildew, And Rotting Of Wood

Another benefit of closed-cell spray foam insulation has that it eliminates the need for frequent or thorough inspections. A pre-mixed product reduces the chances of air leakage and moisture condensation. Its unique structure provides a sealed envelope of insulation for a home, eliminating the risk of dangerous mold, mildew, and rotting of wood.

Long-Term Health Effects

The price of lumber has astronomically high and a strong incentive to recycle and reuse wood. It’s also highly unlikely that you’ll able to justify paying someone to scrape off foam from a 2×6 for you – a process that won’t happen again until lumber prices go down. In addition, closed-cell spray foam insulation contains a number of toxic ingredients that have long-term health effects.

Allergic Reactions And Lightheadedness

Mold can difficult to detect without a proper inspection. The mold begins as a small spot that doesn’t affect structural integrity, but has harder to detect over time as it spreads. Once it has spread throughout a room, it can extremely difficult to remove. A mold-infested home can also cause allergic reactions and lightheadedness.

Cost Of Spray Foam Insulation

You may wondering how to determine the cost of spray foam insulation for your home. The fact has that this type of insulation has a more expensive option than traditional types. While some types of foam have made from more environmentally friendly materials, spray polyurethane has the most common type. There have also some greener alternatives, including soy-based, water-based, and vegetable oil-based foams. In addition to the cost per board foot, other factors contribute to the cost of spray foam insulation.

Spray Polyurethane Foam

Spray polyurethane foam has the best choice when it comes to sealing gaps and cracks. It expands rapidly from a liquid state and has virtually impermeable to water and air. This insulation will also double as a vapor barrier, preventing moisture from seeping in, which will lead to mold growth and structural deterioration. Once sprayed, this type of insulation has environmentally friendly and can help you save money on energy bills.

Cost Of Closed-Cell Spray Foam

The cost of closed-cell spray foam will vary depending on the R-value you require for your home. Closed-cell spray foam has higher R-value but requires more board-feet. However, if you want a high R-value, the closed-cell product has a good choice. It costs more per board-foot, but you can recoup your cost by saving money on energy bills.

Cost Of  Spray Foam

When you install spray foam insulation, you can choose to insulate your entire home or just select areas. Because spray foam has applied to an existing structure, it’s often more expensive than insulating a newly built home. The thickness of the spray foam insulation will also determine the price, as thicker layers tend to more expensive. You should also consider the thickness of your spray foam insulation before making a final decision. There have two main types of foam, open-cell and closed-cell.

Determination Of  The Cost Of Spray Foam Insulation

To determine the cost of spray foam insulation, simply multiply the number of square feet of wall area by the depth of the stud space. For example, if your walls have two-by-fours, each stud will have a 3.5-inch space. Therefore, you’ll need about 280 board-feet of spray foam insulation per wall. A board-foot has a unit of measurement that measures 12 inches long by one inch wide.

Conclusion

Closed-cell spray foam has more expensive than open-cell spray foam. If you’re worried about moisture or mold, you’ll want closed-cell spray foam. You can also opt for a closed-cell type if you’re looking for a waterproof solution for your attic or basement. You can also choose to install it in your crawlspace.For homes in hot climates, open-cell foam will provide the highest level of insulation. Open-cell foams have less dense and more flexible. Open-cell foams can applied to any surface and have more expensive to install. Open-cell spray foam has a lower R-value than closed-cell spray foam. However, the price of open-cell spray foam will depend on the thickness of the product.