What Are the Benefits of Polyurethane Insulation Foam Spraying?

Polyurethane spray foam insulation is made of organic polymers. When these polymers are mixed with water or other activating agents, they expand to fill a given space. This product is used to insulate exterior walls in homes and commercial structures. It is generally placed into the cavity between the building's exterior sheathing and its interior walls, helping to block unwanted air leakages and infiltration. As with other types of spray insulation, installation of this product is best performed by professional installers.

Installation

The most important benefit of polyurethane insulation foam spraying is the flexibility it offers in terms of insulation. While the majority of insulation products must be installed before walls are completed, spray foam can be installed anytime. Small holes are drilled in the walls of the home, and spray applicators are placed into the holes. The insulation is sprayed into the wall in the form of a liquid, then quickly expands to fill the entire space. Once the material has completely filled the cavity, it retains its shape, so that there is no threat of over-expansion. The holes are then filled, patched, and painted to resemble their original condition. Using spray foam is one of the only ways a homeowner can add insulation without tearing down existing walls.

Increased Energy Efficiency

According to the US Department of Energy, adding insulation to your walls can reduce the amount of energy loss in your home by 30 percent. This can mean a reduction in the use of heating or cooling systems, which can result in lower energy bills and fewer carbon emissions. A well insulated house may even allow you to choose smaller air conditioning and heating systems, which can save both money and space. Polyurethane foam is a particularly good insulator because of its high R-value. R-value is a measure of how well a material resists thermal penetration, and higher R-values mean higher levels of insulation. Polyurethane spray foam has an R-value between 6 and 7 for every inch of thickness. This is nearly double the value of traditional fiberglass batts, which offer an R-value of 3.5 per inch.

Flexibility

Because polyurethane foam expands to fill a space, it offers many benefits to those in need of a flexible insulating material. It is particularly useful when filling oddly-shaped spaces, or those subject to some type of obstruction. Spray foam also allows for smaller, thinner walls, which means more flexibility with living space. Finally, because it is so versatile, builders have much more flexibility when it comes to framing designs. While rigid insulation requires adequate spacing between studs, polyurethane foam can easily be sprayed into any size opening.

Superior Air Barrier Properties

Spray foam is able to block air leaks much more effectively than other types of insulation. Traditional insulation materials like rigid foam board or fiberglass batts may slip out of place over time, leaving spots for air to penetrate the home. In addition, these materials rarely fill the entire wall cavity, which means air can usually find a way into the home between the sections of insulation, or at the top or bottom of the wall. Polyurethane spray foam fills the entire space, leaving fewer gaps for air leaks. This material is also denser than many other insulators, and provides a tight, impenetrable barrier to air infiltration and leaks.

Costs

While polyurethane spray foam insulation is generally more expensive than traditional batts or rigid insulators, it's true cost may actually be much lower. Spray foam serves as insulator, vapor barrier, and moisture barrier, eliminating the need for most exterior caulking, building paper, and separate vapor barriers. Not only does one save the cost of these materials, but there is an associated installation savings. Rather than buying and installing four or more products, a single application of spray foam can be used instead. When the cost of spray foam is compared to the total cost of batts and related weatherproofing systems, foam actually appears to be the more affordable option. In addition, the higher R-value of foam means a greater reduction in energy bills is likely, resulting in a shorter payback period for this project.

References

• US Department of Energy
• Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation
• Types of Insulation