The tiny holes in your building structure are an open way for ants and bugs to get in. Fortunately spray foam insulation has the ability to fill small cracks, and closed spray foam is your best bet if you are looking to create a barrier against the tiny intruders. Both closed and open cell spray foam insulation prevent moisture from entering through the walls of your property.
The closed cell spray foam insulation works as a barrier against large quantities of water. That means the less water gets through your walls, the smaller the risk of health issues due to mold and mildew. When you insulate your building you are also making the structure of your walls stronger due to spray foam density and hardness. There is a code that every building should be built after and it requires the walls to meet a minimum load bearing standard to hold the building together.
Spray foam insulation acts also as a strong glue holding everything together. If you insulate your attic with closed foam you might save your roof during storms. The additional layer of insulation to your walls can also increase the value of your building.
Even though the investment is larger, spray foam insulation cost is a long-term money investment. This type of insulation pays its cost by reducing energy consumption and protecting your building against mold and mildew growth. Since it lasts longer it consumes less materials than other types of insulation. There are two types of spray foam insulation , open and closed-cell spray foam insulation. The open-cell foam insulation is commonly utilized for interior applications such as wall cavities, attics, basement walls, and crawl spaces.
Closed-cell spray foam insulation is a hard medium-thickness material which can be used in exterior applications like continuous insulation installations. Closed-cell spray foam insulation has a higher spray foam insulation cost per board foot. Here are the advantages that the material offers:. The spray foam insulation cost is calculated using the board foot. If you want to determine how much you need, you have to multiply the space that you want insulated by the price per inch of insulation.
In difficult-to-reach places, open-cell foam works exceptionally well to minimize air leaks because of how large it expands. Closed-cell foam, on the other hand, has confined cells.
This microscopic structure leads to rigid, high-density foam. At an R-value of 6. It does not expand as much as open-cell, which means you need more material to create an air barrier around gaping spaces. On the plus side, that means you can fit a lot more insulative foam in a limited space to maximize your home's R-value.
Closed-cell foam eclipses its open-cell counterpart density and higher R-value as it can provide a vapor barrier. This essential component prevents moisture from condensing in cavities that typically lead to costly mold and rot. Given its highly insulative and moisture resistance, closed-cell is also the type of choice for foam roofing.
You will pay more for closed-cell over open-cell per board foot, but the superior insulative properties can recoup the costs in energy savings over the years. As with most insulation materials, installers can adjust thickness to achieve the desired R-value. Every additional inch of spray foam insulation per square foot amounts to one more board foot, which increases costs. When determining the spray foam thickness for your insulation project, consult energy efficiency guidelines.
Image source: Energy Star. For example, Energy Star recommends uninsulated buildings in Zone 4 receive R38 to R60 worth of attic insulation. Per square foot, that means a minimum of The prescribed thickness varies substantially between open and closed-cell. However, do not assume that one type costs more than the other unless you know the unit price for each.
If you intend to achieve energy-efficient standards, request estimates from contractors to confirm the most cost-effective course. The specific area you need to insulate can dictate whether you need open or closed-cell foam, which we outlined as a central cost factor.
For instance, basement, rim joist, and other areas where water creates concern typically warrant the use of moisture-resistant closed-cell foam. A qualified insulation contractor can advise which type of spray foam works best for the area you need to insulate, whether that be the attic, roof deck, HVAC system, or all of the above.
Image source: Central Kentucky Spray Foam. New construction jobs are ideal for spray foam insulation. Before both the drywall and exterior wall cladding go up, installers can apply insulation with no obstructions. Finished structures only make insulation installation more complicated. As they already have the outer and inner walls covered up, installers need to create holes to access the wall cavities between studs.
After you apply the spray foam, you need to replace the drywall and repaint, which leads to more costs. Image source: REenergizeCO. Though you could save a significant sum by opting to do it yourself, spray foam insulation poses notable technical challenges and health risks. Spray polyurethane foam insulation requires mixing isocyanate and polyol chemicals on-site. Correct application and performance require a balance between spray pressure, mixing ratio, temperature, and humidity.
An experienced installer can fine-tune the necessary variables to ensure the spray foam adheres and performs as intended. However, not every job warrants industrial spray foam equipment. As for safety, the EPA warns of both short and long-term health concerns regarding spray polyurethane foam exposure — an arguably more convincing reason to hire a qualified installer with the necessary equipment.
Spray foam insulation does not absorb moisture, making mold and mildew less likely to grow. Areas that are traditionally damp, such as basements and crawl spaces, can benefit from spray foam insulation.
By adhering to the inner surfaces of the studs and then curing to a hardened material, it offers added shear strength to a wall. This makes it well suited for bolstering metal buildings while providing thermal resistance at the same time. Improving a home to increase its energy efficiency may come with a rebate or tax credit.
Check with your local building authority to see if any rebate programs might apply. In addition, in some cases, if homeowners update to improve energy efficiency, they may be able to claim a tax credit on their annual income tax return. Enthusiastic DIYers are always looking to save money by doing their own projects, but spray foam insulating is usually best left to the pros.
On the DIY front, spray foam insulation is available in a kit, but the verdict is still out on whether these types of kits are a good option. Installing spray foam insulation can be a tricky process because it has to be applied in thin layers. If too much is applied at once, it can sag or swell beyond the surface of the wall studs.
In this case, the excess must be cut away later. In a remodeling project, the installer may need to remove some wallboard or drill holes and use an injection method of installing the foam. Homeowners may be able to save a bit using the following tips. Much of that cost variation comes from the going cost of labor in a community and the difference in price between open-cell and closed-cell insulation.
To get the best bang for the buck, consider asking the insulation contractor a few questions. With the skyrocketing cost of heating and cooling a house, homeowners are always looking for ways to conserve energy and save money. For those considering spray foam insulation, a few questions are to be expected.
Many manufacturers will sell their products only to trained and certified technicians, and using the product requires a good amount of skill. Closed-cell spray foam insulation has the highest thermal resistance value, averaging R-6 to R-7 per inch.
Open-cell foam averages R Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY.
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