When Should You Use Spray Foam Insulation?

Considering spray foam insulation for your home? Here's everything you need to know!

Polyurethane foam is sprayed directly onto wall and into floor cavities as a liquid and quickly transforms into thick, hard foam insulation. There are two categories of foam: open-cell foam and higher density closed-cell foam, which acts as a unique air and moisture barrier. While open-cell is useful for insulating interiors walls and is preferable to fiberglass, closed-cell does a much better job of making a home airtight airtight than other types of insulation. It's also resistant to mold growth (unlike fiberglass and cellulose, which can trap moisture and organic material) so it's a great option for crawl spaces.

Highest R-value Closed-cell foam is the highest-R-value insulation material available, at up to R6 per inch (the higher the R value of a material, the greater its resistance to the movement of heat). You also get better coverage than with fiberglass, as it's not uncommon to find gaps between batts.

Space savings Spray foam takes up much less space than fiberglass or blown-in cellulose. Its thickness depends on where it's applied, but it averages about three inches deep once installed.

Energy savings With an energy-efficient furnace, you can see savings of up to 40 percent or more if your home is insulated with spray foam.

Spray foam off-gasses during installation so installers wear protective gear. Homeowners are typically not trained in spray foam installation and should avoid doing it themselves - there's a risk of inhaling isocyanates or getting them on their skin. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to isocyanates and other spray-foam chemicals during installation may cause adverse health effects like asthma.

Spray foam is also messy and has a risk of fire is sprayed too thickly. We highly recommend homeowners not take on this project themselves. If you're looking to save money, it has a great return on investment due to its' energy efficiency, but a professional installer should handle the installation. Interested? Contact Burke Construction today for a free quote and see how you can make your home more energy efficient and save money! We service all areas of Monroe County, including Stroudsburg, Mt. Pocono, and more!