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What exactly is spray foam insulation in Corning NY?

What Exactly is Spray Foam Insulation?

Fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam. These are the three main types you will encounter when looking into insulation. Of these three, everyone knows about fiberglass insulation. We’ve all seen the pink or yellow cotton-candy-looking rolls at construction sites or in the big-box retail stores. You may have looked up at your basement ceiling and spotted it between the joists.

But cellulose and spray foam—what are those? We’re glad you asked! Some people haven’t heard of either of these types of insulation, much less seen them or know what they are. Cellulose is a topic for another day. But for now, buckle up, and let’s take a tour of that modern marvel called spray foam.

Spray Foam Versus Fiberglass

Fiberglass insulates your home, preventing the movement of heat from inside to outside, or vice versa. Spray foam insulates and seals your home, providing the same function as fiberglass with the additional function of preventing or reducing convection—the movement of air from inside to outside or vice versa.

You might think that makes spray foam superior to fiberglass, but that’s not always the case. If you’ve been reading previous blogs, then you’ll know that there are times when too much sealing can be detrimental.  If you haven’t read our previous blogs, then you have some catching up to do!  With insulation, there are many factors to consider; and it takes a professional to determine the best solution for every unique situation. A combination of insulating and sealing may be something an expert recommends.

One thing spray foam is not is blown-in insulation, which is insulation in a form that facilitates it being blown into place rather than rolled. Blown-in insulation is often identified by its white, fluffy appearance—somewhat like snow.

There are two types of spray foam: open cell and closed cell. Both types provide insulation and sealing. We’ll compare and contrast these below, but one thing to note is that the installation of either type of spray foam will likely require the homeowner to stay off the premises for 24 hours after application to make sure de-gassing of the spray foam has been completed. 

Open Cell Spray Foam

Open cell spray foam is known for its rate of expansion and its ability to fill gaps. Consumer-grade spray foam can be found at just about any store. It comes in a can and is applied by pressing a button on top that expels the foam in much the way spray paint works. These can be used for small jobs.  The foam—usually yellow and gooey—immediately expands while slowly drying.  For larger jobs like an attic or walls, commercial grade spray foam is used and applied similar but is applied with different equipment. Spray foam expands up to 100 times its original size so it’s important to make sure you don’t over spray especially in new construction walls where dry wall will need to fit snugly against the wood framing.

Open cell foam is moisture permeable, meaning it will let moisture and water move through, but it will not soak up or retain moisture. This means it is a good barrier to mold and mildew. It will provide some sound deadening effects but it doesn’t block sound as well as a product specifically designed to do so. Insulation qualities of open spray foam are good, but not as good as closed cell foam.

Closed Cell Spray Foam

Closed cell spray foam is a plastic-like material that forms an unbroken sheet of insulation when applied. It can strengthen the surface it’s applied to by 3X.

Closed cell foam is not moisture permeable, meaning that moisture and water can’t pass through it. It’s important for the foam to be professionally applied so that it seals all gaps and prevents moisture from weather events or internal water leaks from accumulating on the surface of the foam. Closed cell foam will deaden a certain amount of sound, but isn’t as good of a sound deadener as open cell foam.

In some climates, such as upstate NY, closed cell foam is more popular than open cell foam for the very reason that it is such an excellent moisture barrier.

Closed cell foam is much denser than open cell foam and it has a higher R-value. This means it makes your heating and cooling systems more efficient, but it is more expensive than open cell. Just like open cell foam it provides an excellent air seal.

Okay, but what is Spray Foam?

This will get a little technical—it can’t be helped because the names of the substances used to create spray foam have long names.

When spray foam is professionally applied, it comes in two different containers, or “drums.” The two drums contain two different sets of chemicals that, when mixed, create spray foam. Although the contents of both containers vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, one drum generally contains polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI) and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). And no, there’s no simple way to translate that. Fortunately, consumers don’t need to remember the names. Just know that there are some interesting chemicals involved in creating spray foam.

The second drum contains another chemical cocktail that also varies by manufacturer. However, it usually includes a catalyst (that speeds the process of the foam formation) and something to retard fire. Any number of other chemicals may be in this mix, which can lead to varying prices for different brands. It will be up to an insulation expert to determine what brand and mix of chemicals is best for each unique application.

Safety and Quality

As mentioned, spray foam varies by manufacturer. This means that the safety factors and quality of foam also varies, from the greenhouse gases emitted during installation, to the coverage, expansion, and long-term durability. There are brands that are much more environmentally responsible than others. An insulation expert will know the difference and will be able to answer your questions.

Is Spray Foam for Me?

There are pluses and minuses to using spray foam. Some installations may call for it, and others may not. How can you know whether it’s right for you and your home?

An inspection by a qualified insulation expert and a consultation with that expert about your concerns and needs is the next step in learning more about spray foam. At Koala Insulation, our technicians are experts in all kinds of insulation materials and installation techniques. Our experts bring state-of-the-art equipment with them to thoroughly inspect your home or building top to bottom, inside and out. They will give you a detailed assessment of your home. They will design a custom solution to meet your needs, consider your concerns, and help answer your questions. And since every home is unique, your expert may suggest a combination of installation options to protect your home from cold, heat, moisture, and pests. They will know if spray foam should be used in your home and, if so, what type and brand is best.

Don’t forget the investment you make today will reap years of energy-saving benefits. Contact us now to schedule a consultation to start your journey toward higher energy efficiency.