Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray Foam Insulation is one of the fastest growing building materials on the market. With recent GREEN movements and Energy Conservation programs being introduced on nearly a daily basis, spray foam insulation is becoming more popular all the time. Because of the rapid growing popularity of the product, many people still do not understand exactly what it is or how it works.

Spray Foam Insulation is a chemically formed cellular plastic that consists of two materials; isocyanate and resin. The chemical reaction that occurs during the mixing process is called an exothermic reaction. Exothermic reactions require heat in order for the reaction to occur. When the reaction occurs, heat is generated and the resin expands 30-100x its liquid volume. All of this may sound complicated, but it is a very simple process.

Some might ask, "How does this help my home?" When the product expands during the reaction, the spray foam fills all gaps, cracks, and voids to construct a seamless air barrier. Air infiltration has been tested and proven to be one of the main causes in heating and cooling loss through walls, roofs, and other penetrations in the building envelope. By filling these voids, spray foam stops air infiltration.

There are two common types of spray foam insulation used in residential construction. Open Cell and Closed Cell spray foam. Open Cell products tend to provide an R-Value around 3.5 to 4 per inch and Closed Cell provide 6 to 7 inch. Open Cell has a cubic foot weight of around .5 to 1.6 lbs and Closed Cells weighs around 1.8 to 2.2 lbs pcf in residential wall and roof insulation. Both types of foam are great insulators and provide a seamless air barrier for homeowners that helps stop air infiltration.

Some people wonder how do you apply spray foam? Spray foam can be applied with Mobile Spray Foam Rigs built by Spray Foam Systems suppliers. Spray Foam Systems rigs consist of Reactors, Air Compressors, Air Dryers, and Generators. A Reactor is a machine that heats up and mixes isocyanate and resin at high temperatures and pressures exceeding 1000 PSI. Hoses are pulled out of the spray foam rig and attached to a Spray Foam Fusion Air Purge Gun. When the Air Purge gun is activated, the products are mixed inside the mixing chamber and foam is sprayed out on the surface. Within seconds the product will react and expand to form spray foam insulation.

Spray Foam Systems in Greensboro, GA provides useful information on Spray Foam Knowledge, Products, Spray Foam Rigs, and Equipment.