CHOOSING  SPRAY  FOAM  INSULATION

As energy prices continue to rise it is becoming increasingly more difficult to affordably keep your home at comfortable temperatures.

There are many pieces of your HVAC equipment that require different sources of energy making it even more expensive and complicated. That is why spray foam insulation has been getting traction in the solution methods.

Many understand that improving your insulation is an effective way of lowering your bills. Spray foam has become a leading upgrade for many homes. Homeowners consume the smaller cans at stores to fix simple problems and the contractors use them to deal with larger projects as well. This product is versatile and is useful for filling the spaces between studs, joists, and rafters.

Indiana Home Comfort Solutions can inspect and evaluate insulation and airtightness levels at your house and provide the right energy-saving solutions. Contact us today for a free estimate for spray foam insulation in Carmel, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Avon, Zionsville, Whitestown, Indianapolis, Lebanon, Pittsboro, Lizton, and the surrounding areas.

We help homeowners choose the best option for their needs

There are different types of spray foam, two of which include open-cell foam and closed-cell foam. Below we will discuss the difference between the two.

Open-cell foam has lower R-value and higher permeability

The open-cell foam is made up of interconnected tiny bubbles. The purpose of the bubbles is to hold air and give it insulation value. The R-value is between R-3.5 and R-4 per in.

The open-cell foam expands and fills gaps once it’s applied. Unlike closed-cell foam, it has a spongier feel therefore it can absorb moisture. For this reason, it is not the best option to be used in a basement or a crawl space. These areas are known to be damp and cold. For this reason, the open-cell foam will have a lower R-value than the closed-cell. While it may not produce the same results it is a cheaper option.

Closed-cell foam provides a vapor barrier, a harder finish and higher R-value

Foams from GREAT STUFF™ that come in a can are considered “single-component” closed-cell foam. The type that contractors use, “two-component” foam or polyurethane foam, is more complicated as is used for larger projects. The two components will combine at the nozzle and create a chemical reaction.

The closed-cell foam has an R-value between R-6 and R-7.1 per in. and creates a hard barrier that prevents the absorption of moisture, therefore it is more expensive than open-cell foam. Despite being more expensive it is the preferred insulation for homes. Its ability to prevent the movement of moisture and seal air makes it a unique solution.