Expanding Foam Insulation » Spray

Expanding Spray Foam Insulation

admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:50:56 +0000

If you are looking at insulation for your home, there are more choices than blown cellulose and pink fiberglass. Expanding spray foam insulation is increasingly popular due to its many benefits.

Expanding spray foam insulation is made of polyurethane or acrylic latex. The foam has been used in refrigerators and water heaters for many years.

Liquid polyurethane is pressurized and released through spray nozzles. When the spray lands on surfaces it expands and foams up, then hardens to a aerated material. Traditional insulation such as cellulose wool or spun fiberglass leave gaps and voids when applied as ceiling and wall insulation. Expanding spray foam insulation fills out to all cracks and into seams even if they are hidden from view. The sealing ability can practically eliminate air flow and energy transfer.

The resulting expanded polyurethane foam has a high R-value, which is the measure of resistance to energy flow relative to its thickness, when compared to other insulation materials. This high R-value feature can allow 4″ wall construction to achieve the same energy rating as a 6″ wall, providing improved performance at a substantial savings in construction materials and even increased floor area.

Because expanding spray foam insulation is dimensionally stable it does not settle or compress, and maintains its high performance characteristics. It does not absorb or transfer moisture, preventing humidity, condensation, and mold problems. It is also insect and flame resistant.

Although there are retail products for small crack filling tasks, expanding spray foam insulation for large areas is best left to professionally trained contractors who have the necessary equipment and expertise to apply this material effectively and economically.

There are hazardous materials handling issues when the polyurethane is in the liquid and aerosol state that require special precautions. Proper application and cavity filling requires experience and care to achieve the desired outcome and prevent damage or distortion of structural elements by over-expansion.

Coordination with plumbing and electrical installation is critical since the foam insulation encloses these utilities and makes it difficult to change or reinstall.

Expanding foam insulation costs about three times more than traditional materials to install initially. Some of this cost will be offset by savings in other areas and materials as mentioned above. However the longterm payback is increased energy savings year after year, with improved comfort and air quality, that justifies the investment in using expanding spray foam insulation.

Fire Resistant Foam Insulation

admin — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 04:52:14 +0000

Fire resistant foam insulation contains fire retardant, and some are specifically formulated for fire resistant use. If you need a fire resistant foam for insulation, be sure to choose one specifically marketed as such. These products possess a higher degree of fire resistance than standard foam insulation.

Fire Resistant Applications include :
- fire resistant installation of window and door frames
- fire and smoke resistant sealing of connections between walls, ceilings and floors
- sealing of all openings in roof constructions
- sealing of cable and pipe penetrations in walls
- improving thermal insulation in heating and cooling systems

Soudal makes a fire proofing single component PU Foam with non-hazardous propellant and high adhesion to many building materials. SOUDAFOAM FR with CFC-free propellant is a one-component, self expanding, ready to use polyurethane foam with propellants which are completely harmless to the ozone layer. It has a fire rating of up to 229 minutes (4 hours) according to the new European Norm CE 1366-4.

Touch ‘n Seal makes foam sealant and insulating products that contain fire retardants. These foams are intended to resist flaming, and slow flame spread. However, they cannot stop a fire from spreading indefinitely. Touch ‘n Seal foam is flammable and a fire hazard during dispensing. Do not use around fire or flame, and be sure to extinguish all pilot lights in the area.

ELCH PRO Fire Rated group contains four specialized products for domestic and commercial building applications. FR Silicone and FR Intumescent Acrylic sealants are both tested to BS 476:part 20 and fire rated to 4 hours. FR Acoustic Sealant is also sound tested to a value of 55dBA and is supplied in large volume packs. FR Polyurethane B1 Foam is fire rated between firm, mineral construction substrates and in this application meets the requirements of building material class B1 according to DIN 4102 part 1.

Froth-Pak, although combustible, has a European Class B2 or new Class E fire rating which is equivalent to BS EN11925-2, making it difficult to ignite. The foam’s low thermal conductivity makes it approximately twice as effective as an insulation material as other forms of insulation such as glass fiber, expanded polystyrene and mineral wool.

There are several manufacturers of fire resistant foam insulation products. Be sure to check their fire retardant properties and fire rating specifications so that they suit your purpose.

Spray Insulation

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 04:37:12 +0000

Spray Insulation is worth looking into for many reasons, even if it’s not always the ideal solution. Although it is more likely to be the best option for new construction, its features also serve the needs of many existing homeowners who are adding to or trying to improve their homes.

For example, even if the spraying must be done by professionals, and therefore is more costly than other options, the high R-value of spray insulation can make it cost- effective over time, through lower heating bills. In very cold or hot climates this advantage may be well worth the cost.

Spray insulation also carries the advantage of filling uneven areas well. The sprayed foam expands to fill cracks and fit into irregular spaces that would be difficult to work around with other kinds of insulation. The do-it-yourself handyman might be very relieved not to have to work in difficult nooks and crannies, and to just let expansion of the foam do the work.

Another advantage is that spray insulation adheres well to the surface onto which it is sprayed. If a house is being expanded upward, to a second story, then spray insulation under the new floor will be securely in place and offer good insulation for years. It might be a better solution than trying to attach other forms of insulation in such a space.

There has been some debate about the moisture barrier qualities of closed-cell foam spray insulation. Such foams, e.g., polyisocyanurate or polyurethane, offer higher R-value than open-celled foam, e.g., polyicynene. The latter allows for some passage of water vapor after the insulation is installed. The advantages and disadvantages in relation to moisture barrier issues are important to discuss with an insulation expert on a case by case basis.

When a wall is already closed in, the most practical and economical way to insulate it is with spray foam insulation.

Foam is not the only product that can be sprayed for insulation. Cellulose and fiberglass fibers also can be sprayed, if they are mixed with some sort of adhesive or foam to keep them in place.

Because various forms of insulation can be used together and because every situation has its own considerations, the homeowner considering spray insulation would be well advised to consult several insulation contractors to weigh all the options before deciding how to proceed. Ask each of them to make a bid in writing for insulating a defined area to a certain R-value. It might also be useful to have a home energy audit if your purpose is to increase the energy efficiency of your house. Contact your local utility company for information on this.