How Does Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation Work?
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is created by heating, mixing and reacting chemicals to create a foam. The mixed materials react very quickly, expanding on contact to create foam that insulates extremely well by air-sealing. SPF is produced by a chemical reaction when two liquid components are combined, an isocyanate, known as the “A” component, and a polyol resin, known as the “B” component. When the two liquids are mixed together (typically at a one-to-one ratio), a chemical reaction occurs creating rigid, or semi-rigid foam. The mixed liquid starts to react in seconds, expanding 20 to 30 times its liquid state for Closed Cell and 100 to 150 times for open cell foam. Once cured it solidifies and becomes polyurethane foam.
SPF Saves You Money and Pays for Itself
SPF home insulation saves on energy costs and lowers utility bills. SPF is used to seal the entire “building envelope” of your home to prevent air and moisture infiltration. The US Department of Energy (DOE) studies show that 40% of your home’s energy is lost due to air infiltration. This air infiltrates the home in the form of drafts through walls sockets, windows and doorways.
High R-Value
Sprayed polyurethane foam has an aged R-value of approximately 3.8- 4.5 (Open Cell) & 6-7 (Closed Cell) per 1 inch thickness (depending on the particular formulation and application, higher values have been achieved), enabling it to provide more thermal resistance with less material than any other type of commercial insulation material. R-values, or the functions of, are not the same when comparing fiberglass, cellulose, batt insulation to Spray Polyurethane Foam. SPF is an air barrier, which is not true of the typical attic floor insulations. Therefore the R Values are not truly the same. For more reading on R Values, visit the Spray Foam Resources Page of this website.
Prevents Air, Moisture and Gas Infiltration
Studies have shown that as much as 40% of a building’s total energy loss is due to air infiltration. Traditional fiberglass insulation is only stapled, or placed into the wall cavities and does not seal the stud and wall cavities from end to end, or top to bottom. Air infiltration can pass through these gaps, making it far less efficient than SPF. SPF not only adheres to, but forms to the walls and floors to create a tight seal and insulating barrier that stops this air leakage. SPF also boasts the highest R-value per inch than any other commercial material, (upwards of R-7.0, compared with Fiberglass at R-3.5) making your home more comfortable and less expensive to heat in the winter, and cool in the summer.
Since SPF acts as an air barrier, it also helps to reduce moisture infiltration, which is a source of dangerous mold and mildew growth in the home, and can cause severe health problems to its occupants. So save your family and save money at the same time with SPF home insulation systems. Moisture infiltration can also cause structural damage to your home or building.
Helps Reduce Moisture and Mold
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. SPF insulation is the key. Watch Video…
Enhances Overall Building Stability
Since SPF is seamless and monolithic, foam sprayed into the walls enhances overall building stability and reduces “rack and sheer.” More…
Deadens Sound Travel and Noise
SPF also reduces airborne sound making the home acoustically tighter and more private from room to room.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available for both “A” and “B” side chemicals. Your contractor can provide these to you or discuss these with you.