5 Benefits of Closed Cell Spray Foam
Closed-cell spray foam insula8on is a great addi8on to new or retrofi<ed homes. While it can be more expensive than fiberglass installa8on, it passes the compe88on in almost every other aspect. Closed-cell spray foam also ends up saving your household money and energy in the long run, helping the environment and your budget. If you’re looking for a versa8le insula8on op8on that doesn’t need to be constantly maintained, this type of spray foam provides many benefits that you may be unaware of as a homeowner.
1. Air and Moisture Barrier
Air and moisture enter your home through small cracks, holes, and unsealed spaces throughout the building. This not only increases your u8lity bill because of the heat loss or gain through these spaces but can lead to mold or unpleasant draKs. While insula8ons like loose fill or fiberglass ba<s may pad these areas and can get into small spaces of your aLc and walls, they don’t fill the oKen overlooked crevices.
When closed cell spray foam is applied, the foam expands quickly into cracks and holes. This creates an air-8ght seal that blocks unwanted airflow and moisture collec8on. It reduces the risk of harmful outside pollutants and bacteria with the foam’s sealing capabili8es. Spray foam is impermeable to water and therefore prevents rather than absorbs moisture. Mold and unpleasant odors are avoided in these problem areas that can get overlooked during the installa8on of other tradi8onal insula8ons.
Closed-cell spray foam also contains an inert polymer, which means harmful bacteria and mold have nothing to feed off of. As it reduces moisture condensa8on within a building, you and your household can worry less about poten8al health hazards. Other insula8ons oKen lack the proper chemicals that prevent mold, leading to underlying growth that may not be discovered un8l it’s too late.
2. Structural Support
Closed-cell spray foam has a higher density than its open cell counterpart and therefore can provide more structural support to your walls or ceilings. This makes it a commonly used product for industrial and commercial building projects. However, homeowners can equally benefit from the support of closed-cell spray foam.
If you’re in an area that experiences extreme weather like hurricanes, heavy snow, strong winds, etc., your roof can take serious damage throughout the year. Closed-cell spray foam adds to the strength of your building, working as a strong glue and reducing movement of the substructure. The support in your aLc and walls can also increase the value of your home because of the addi8onal structural integrity.
5 Benefits of Closed Cell Spray Foam
3. Prevents Pests
Rodents, insects, and other creatures will find their way into your aLc, walls, or crawlspaces to make their new home. Insula8on like fiberglass can encourage nes8ng and isn’t always treated with the proper chemicals that deter pests. Even when it’s treated, if homeowners don’t regularly upgrade and reinstall blown-in insula8on, the effec8veness will lessen over 8me.
Nes8ng rodents are a health hazard to your home as they can bring disease, allergies, and a<ract other creatures. These rodents are oKen looking for a warm, soK space to nest in and materials like blown-in fiberglass can be a<rac8ve to rodents trying to survive in the winter. Closed-cell spray foam, however, doesn’t provide a sustainable food or nes8ng source, reducing the possibility these pests will find a comfortable new home.
For the same reason, it’s a great air and moisture barrier, closed-cell spray foam also prevents pest entry. When it’s applied, the foam fills cracks, crevices, and holes that these unwanted guests can enter through. Fiberglass ba<s and blown-in only cover these small areas and crevices rather than filling the holes that small insects and rodents use to se<le into.
4. Safe After Installation
Spray foam insula8on is installed by professional technicians that have been trained to properly mix the chemicals that make up the foam. However, because of the care and training these professionals need to have, some homeowners are concerned that the chemicals could be poten8ally hazardous even aKer installa8on if touched or accidentally ingested. Luckily, aKer the spray foam has expanded, hardened, and se<led aKer about 24 hours, it’s generally safe to interact with.
Unlike cellulose or fiberglass insula8on, you don’t need to put on a dust mask and gloves when entering your aLc to prevent irrita8on to your lungs or skin.
5. Eco-Friendly
If you and your household are concerned with keeping your home “green” and sustainable, closed-cell spray foam is one of the most eco-friendly op8ons on the market. It’s ul8mately thanks to the culmina8on of the previous benefits! First, energy consump8on is significantly decreased due to the sealing capabili8es of closed-cell spray foam. Because less unwanted heat escapes and enters, the AC unit is put under less stress to con8nuously regulate the temperature throughout the house.
Additionally, spray foam is the longest-las8ng insula8on to have installed. This consumes fewer materials and doesn’t need to be maintained as oKen. Your house can benefit from spray foam for years before you need to have it reviewed or reapplied. Because it’s made up of the inert polymer, this insula8on has an indefinite lifespan. With the addi8onal benefit of reducing health and structural hazards, closed-cell spray foam adds to the integrity and worth of your house for years.
When looking for the best insula8on to install in your home, ask your insula8on contractor about closed cell spray foam. While the ini8al cost will be higher than tradi8onal insula8ons like fiberglass, the long-term benefits are oKen guaranteed to give your household a be<er return on investment. With the poten8al to decrease your energy bill by 25%, significantly reduce health hazards and pests, and increase the value of your home, closed-cell spray foam provides many benefits that may be ini8ally overlooked.