Everything you need to know about spray foam insulation

Spray foam insulation is a high-performance product that has extraordinarily good thermal qualities. Like all insulation materials, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by lowering the need for HVAC of buildings, including our homes. Spray Foam Insulation, especially compared to traditional insulation methods and materials, offers many benefits for homeowners in South Florida where the heat is extreme. Compared to other insulation types, Spray Foam is more efficient in keeping your home cool and will lower your energy bills in the long run. With some of the highest insulation R-values available, spray foam insulation can improve efficiency and comfort.

Open Cell vs. Closed Cell Spray Foam

Spray Foam Insulation is made from two chemicals that come into contact with each other and, as a reaction, rapidly expand. This expansion creates bubbles which burst and only leave the bubble structure (open cell form) or stay intact and create interconnected but closed pockets (closed cell). These are the two different types of spray foam; open cell and closed cell, and both offer different benefits that affect the cost and performance of your insulation project. Choosing the right insulation for your house is important to ensure that your home is properly sealed, ventilated and insulated:

Open-cell foam has a lower R-value per inch than closed-cell, and is typically about 30% less expensive. Due to the lower R-value, open-cell must be applied in a thicker layer. Because of this, it lends itself to areas that offer more space, such as attics, ceilings and floor joists.

Closed-cell foam is more expensive, but that investment pays off in a higher R-value per inch. In addition, because of its 'sticky' qualities and rigidity once cured, it can also provide increased structural integrity to walls and ceilings.

Benefits of spray foam insulation 

Whether you are buying a new house or renovating your current home, choosing the right insulation is a way more important task than you might realize. Especially in South Florida, where temperatures in the summer crawl up to the high 90s, your house needs proper insulation in order to support your A/C in cooling down your space and making it more comfortable. Spray Foam Insulation lasts 80+ years and might just be the right choice for your home:

Energy Bill Savings

Sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation is applied to the attic, crawl space or rim joist and completely fills any space including little gaps and crevices. It therefore stops air leakage and creates an air seal. By completely sealing your building envelope, you can improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. This air barrier will support your air conditioning in maintaining a constant temperature and therefore lower your monthly energy bills. Home owners in Hollywood and surrounding areas could save more than 15% on their FPL bill every month.

Adds to structural integrity 

Especially in South Florida, where hurricanes can put our homes in danger, structural integrity is important and, due to its density and hardness, closed foam insulation can actually strengthen your home's structures and prevent damage.

Spray Foam Insulation gets everywhere and holds your house together like strong glue that stays in place over many years and does not shrink. Insulating your attic might therefore save your roofing during the next hurricane season. Some high-performance spray foams demonstrate wind uplift resistance that meets the "High Velocity Hurricane Zone" criteria of the Florida Building Code. When applied to concrete, the wind uplift resistance is even stronger.

A Healthier Home

The seamless barrier created by spray foam insulation that seals every inch of your home actually offers many health benefits. Air cannot penetrate the walls as it does without insulation or even some other types of insulation. It therefore cannot transport allergens, dust, pollen and insects into your home and offers relief for those with allergies and respiratory conditions. 

Mold and mildew are serious health risks that result from moisture in your home. A non-insulated structure as well as some types of insulation are susceptible to moisture and lead to mildew growth and airborne mold spores that penetrate your space. Mold can be the reason for unhealthy air quality and can cause your home's decay. 

Pest Control

Openings in the attic or your crawl space are the perfect entering points for rodents, bats and bugs to your home. Spray Foam Insulation can close these openings and offers no food value to rodents and pests. It is therefore less attractive for animals to chew through and the air seal prevents air draws that they are looking for. 

While spray foam insulation cannot help with an existing pest control problem and is in no way a repellant, it can definitely help keep unwanted pests out of your home and offers a layer of defense to your structures. 

Sound absorption

Open cell foam works as a sound-reducing measure as sound is airborne and the foam creates an air seal to your space. By filling wall voids with spray foam, resonances are curbed and sounds are prevented from leaving or entering the insulated space. Insulating your home with SPF will therefore lower outside noises (that loud garbage truck in the morning!) as well as noises between rooms (that loud toilet flush!).

Contact our team of professionals at Koala Insulation of Hollywood to learn more about your options today and to receive your free insulation evaluation, we come to your home and guide you through the whole process assuring the highest quality service in your area. Installing insulation sooner than later will save you money and help with the cooling efficiency of your home.