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OPEN & CLOSED-CELL INSULATION

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation can be categorized into two different types: light-density open-cell spray foam insulation and medium-density closed-cell spray foam insulation. Both are considered thermoset cellular plastics, comprising millions of small cells.

Open cell spray polyurethane foam insulation is typically applied in wall cavities while Open cell insulation can be crushed in your hand and has a lower insulation value. Closed cell is stringent to the touch and each air cell is completely sealed.

Medium-density closed-cell foam insulation is can be referred to as two pound foam. It is a fixed insulating material with a Long Term Thermal Resistance (LTTR) R-value that ranges between 5.1 and 6 per inch. Depending on the thickness applied, closed-cell foam insulation can be used as an air and vapor barrier.

Open-cell that has a Light-density can also be known as half-pound foam. It is a semi-rigid material with a sponge-like appearance that expands during installation and creates small, open cells that are filled with carbon dioxide. Due to its ability to expand during the application process, it fills cracks, crevices, and voids and adheres to irregular surfaces or substrates to form an air sealing insulation.

When installed at 5.5 inches or more, the open-cell insulation acts as an air barrier. It is often used for interior walls because it provides sound reduction by blocking and absorbing air leakage. It is usually only recommended for indoor applications.

BATT INSULATION

Batts are precut, whereas blankets are available in continuous rolls. Compressing the material reduces its functionality. Most people will cut it to fit electrical boxes and other unique areas, which allows air a free path to cross through the wall cavity. You can install batts in two layers across attic floors that are unfinished, perpendicular to each other, for more efficiency at preventing heat bridging. Blankets can cover joists and studs as well as the space between them.

Gaps between batts can become places of air infiltration or condensation (both of which reduce the efficiency of the insulation) and requires major attention during the installation. Careful weatherization and installation of vapor barriers is required to make sure that the batts perform very well. Air infiltration can be also be reduced by adding a layer of cellulose loose-fill on top of the material.

HOME INTERIOR SEALANTS

Parts of a home or building can include cracks and pipe penetrations, which are the most common entry points for seepage. These openings can be sealed from the interior. What can be used as a strong adhesive is epoxy, or urethanes that can be pressure injected into the openings. This will penetrate the foundation through to the exterior and cutting off any seepage.

Most interior sealers will not provide permanent protection from water infiltration where hydrostatic pressure is present. However, interior sealers we provide are great for preventing high atmospheric humidity inside basements. Preventing the absorbing into the porous masonry and causing spalling. Proper sealant installations can prevent Spalling, which is a condition where constant high humidity or moisture breaks down surfaces. This can cause deterioration and shedding of the concrete surfaces.

SOUND DEAFENING

The use of sealants or insulation can be useful for blocking the passage of fluids through openings. In home or building construction, sealants can be similar to caulking and serve the purpose of blocking dust, sound and heat transmission. Sealants can be flexible, weak or strong. Also be applied as a permanent or temporary solution. Sealants are not adhesives but some have adhesive qualities and are called adhesive-sealants or structural sealants.

Cathedral Ceilings

Spray foam insulation is the best choice for cathedral ceiling insulation. It does not allow air movement that causes moisture and mold. The full cavity can be used eliminating the need for both the ridge vent and soffit vents. Ceiling is insulated to nearly R-35 in a 7-3/4'' deep cavity with an OPEN CELL foam.

Fiberglass insulation in a 8" thick cavity would yield a stated R-25 but the actual installed r-value would be closer to an R-18 (30 o/o LOSS). Fiberglass loses 11 % of it's R-value when installed "perfectly" in a lab with access to both sides to verify the insulation is square, in contact with all six sides of the cavity, and without compression. In real life that number drops to a 28% loss.

Add in air flow and that number drops to nearly a 50% loss by using fiberglass.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing an old stone foundation from the exterior with "Closed Cell" spray polyurethane foam provides a water tight seal from the outside. Closed cell spray polyurethane foam provides more than 3x the waterproofing and 4x the compressive strength of Extruded Polystyrene (EPS) which are the pink boards sold at Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, etc. These pink boards allow water to permeate through them, reducing their thermal efficiency and letting water through. Closed Cell when applied to a crawlspace or basement wall is sprayed seamless, so no water is able to penetrate.

So why is this important? Like clothing when wet, it does not insulate nearly as well. In applications below grade, there is nothing but moisture and groundwater saturated in the soil. Closed cell spray polyurethane is the only logical answer for a seamless waterproof insulation.

Attics

The roof/ceiling of a typical building accounts for 30% of heating loss in the winter and solar gain in the hot summer. Many homes have duct work in the attic space which greatly diminishes their efficiency through air leakage and conduction to the unconditioned space.

By adding spray foam insulation in the attic under the roof line, you create a conditioned space in the attic. This spray foam insulated attic stays within +/- ~0 of the 2nd floor temperature all year round causing less load on the HY AC system and lowering utility bills overall.

Basements

Are you tired of you basement smelling like a basement? Encapsulate it with "Closed Cell" Spray Polyurethane Foam and get rid of the damp, moldy, musty smells.

Under Slabs

Spray Foam under a basement slab provides both a thermal and vapor barrier from the cold moist ground. That means warmer feet all year round while in the basement.

Foam Insulation Services Long Island

Advantages

Cost and cleanliness aside, there are clear benefits to using spray' foam insulation. As a spray, it can get into and fill tiny nooks and crannies, providing better insulation.


This can eliminate drafts and keep the building warmer when it's cold. No cold air can escape in the summer, either. These advantages can help lower the building's utility bills. By filling cracks and crevices, foam insulation also helps keep bugs and vermin from getting into the building.


Spray foam insulation also adheres 'well to surfaces, so it can stick to the inside of walls or can be applied to the underside of floors and insulate from underneath. Homes that are insulated with spray foam often have a higher resale value than those that use fiberglass insulation or other types of insulation. There are environmental advantages as well; most notably, there aren't any fiberglass particles floating around in the air.


Spray foam insulation also does not cause itching when it is touched, and it inhibits mold growth because it doesn't absorb water.

Foam Insulation vs Fiber Glass

For the past 5 decades it didn't matter where you bought fiberglass or cellulose it was all the same quality and same R-Values. Heck, many homeowners just went down to Home Depot or Lowes, grabbed a truck load and insulated their homes themselves. Again, there were no real decisions to evaluate when it came to insulating your home or business.


We've learned in the foam industry that we can't trust R-Values either. Because the old out dated thermal resistance tests are inaccurate. They

aren't even close to being correct. Those old RValue tests only measure one type of heat - Conduction Heat. What we use in our foam industry

are Performance Value Tests.

These tests measure all 3 types of heats: conduction heat, convection heat, and radiant heat from the Sun. These

Performance tests have proved that the real thermal resistance value (R-value) of standard insulation is very inaccurate. As much as a 60o/o decrease in their true R-values.

Foam is applied to the walls to warm the house at construction

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