December 17, 2009

Open Cell vs. Closed Cell?

Posted in Uncategorized tagged closed cell, co, ct, de, energy efficient, insulation contractor, insulation installer, ma, md, nj, ny, open cell, pa, spray foam contractor, spray foam installer, spray foam insulation at 5:08 pm by sealritesf

So you’ve heard about spray foam insulation and you are asking, “What is it and why would I want it?” It is a spray applied polyurethane foam and you want it because it outperforms every other type of insulation out there. You care about that because it means spray foam insulation installed in your house will save you money.

There are two types: open cell and closed cell. Closed cell should be installed where there is the possibility of moisture. This means that you would want to install a closed cell in places like your crawlspace because it will not allow moisture to pass through (due to its closed cell structure!) Closed cell is also great for applying to exterior walls because it adds to the structural integrity of a building. We’ve all heard those stories about homes that were insulated with closed cell foam and suffered little to no damage when taking a direct hit from a hurricane. To read about it, click here! http://www.sprayfoam.com/npps/story.cfm?nppage=146

Open cell is great for places like your attic because the area becomes semi conditioned space (it does not need to be vented), and also in the interior walls for superior acoustical soundproofing. To translate, this means that open cell can be used anywhere that traditional insulation would be installed. You can always tell when you walk into a home that has been insulated with spray foam because as soon as you close the door behind you, it is suddenly so quiet! It provides the type of luxury to your home that you cannot see but can certainly sense all around you. And it’s the gift that keeps on giving because your monthly heating/cooling bill will be significantly lower by up to 50%!

Does the manufacturer matter? Some are definitely better than others but it really depends on where it is being applied and that it is applied correctly, no matter whose foam you are using. There are lots of different foams out there and they all have their own unique properties. Some are more “green” than others. This relates to how much of the foam is comprised of sustainable ingredients, (i.e. soy-based, etc.) and what type of blowing agent is used (this is what is used in the mixture to make it shoot out of the gun). Things can get very technical here and we are not all expert chemists! The only thing you need to know is that ALL spray foam outperforms every other type of insulation out there. If you are in the process of building a home, spray foam can be incorporated into your monthly mortgage payments and you will actually see a net profit on your investment every month.

There are lots of people out there who decided to add spray foam to their inventory because it is more costly than other insulation and they figured they could make more money fast. Lots of these contractors have since figured out that a spray foam application process is very complex! You must have the right type of equipment, manufacturer trained applicators, a good product and even an on staff equipment specialist to make sure that the insulation is installed properly. Another factor to consider is down time; with such a complex process to consider, if anything does go wrong at a jobsite, make sure your contractor has more spray foam rigs they can bring on site to get your job done!

The most important thing is to have an experienced contractor you can trust; one who will explain which product is right for you and has the tools to get the job done right. Insulation is not a game of who can give you the lowest price. You want a contractor with an established reputation of quality work and lots of happy customers. Building products, materials and technology may change but no matter how advanced we get we always come back to our friends and relatives and ask, “Hey, who did you use?”

Good luck!

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