WEST PORTLAND Blog

Spray Foam Insulation 101 | Koala Insulation of West Portland

One of the best things about having a professional insulation company install your new insulation is that you are guaranteed to have the right insulation installed for your space! Not all insulation materials work for every room or space in your home, so having a team with extensive knowledge about insulation ensures your project is done correctly and with the right materials.

One of the insulation types we offer is called “spray foam insulation,” and we explain all about this great insulation option below.

What Is Spray Foam Made Of?

Unlike other insulation materials like batt insulation or blown-in insulation, spray foam actually isn’t made until we are already at your project site! We combine two chemicals called isocyanate and polyol resin, and when that mixture is sprayed out of our equipment, a chemical reaction occurs and starts to expand in size as it dries.

Spray foam is a great choice for the odd angles and tight spots around your home since it dries hard and forms a tight seal around whatever it is applied to. It’s for ceilings and attics, as well as around wiring holes or attic hatches. Since this is a material that requires mixing and chemicals, spray foam should really only be installed by a team of professionals like us!

Is All Spray Foam the Same?

No! This is another cool thing about spray foam insulation. Depending on your project and your specific needs, we can either install open-cell spray foam or closed-cell spray foam.

Open-cell spray foam is more flexible due to the tiny pockets of air left inside each cell of the foam. When it is sprayed, it is able to cover a larger area faster than its counterpart and is great at noise reduction.

Closed-cell spray foam is more rigid in nature and actually can add structural integrity to your house. Instead of leaving air in the cells, this foam has no air inside. This makes it densely packed and really durable in the long-term. It is water impermeable and is overall a really reliable choice.

Where Spray Foam Can Be Used

The options are endless when it comes to spray foam! The quick application allows it to be a great choice for larger projects like walls and ceilings, but it is also precise enough for the smallest of projects. It can easily be added to tight angles around rafters and in the back of crawl spaces as well.

The moisture resistance of closed-cell spray foam makes it a good choice for areas of your home that are susceptible to mold or mildew. For example, if your attic struggles with humidity or air leaks, spray foam can be your answer to a more comfortable and efficient space.

When you are ready to upgrade your home’s insulation, give us a call at Koala Insulation of West Portland.