When it comes to insulation, there are a lot of options to mind on the market. One that has been increasing its popularity due to its value is spray foam insulation.
Its use has a lot of benefits, but there are also some disadvantages that you should be aware of before making a decision. In this blog post, we will go over some of the pros and cons of this type of insulation so that you can make an informed decision about what is best for your home or business.
The Pluses it Brings Forth
Plus #1: Significant decrease in utility bills
When it comes to your building’s heating and cooling expenses, the spray foam method can save you a lot of money. If you install this product in a home or business that does not currently have any insulation, the cost savings are typically around 50%. When compared to other insulation materials, spray foam offers up to 30% lower energy consumption.
These numbers sound promising, but specialists can actually vouch for this. If you want your insulating routine to be handled by pros, the iFoam high-quality insulation services are just around the corner! They are always bound to assist you through every step of planning, installation, and even maintenance.
Plus #2: Top-of-the-line airtight seal
Spray foam insulation can fill all of the cracks and holes in your crawl spaces, attic, and walls. The leaks are typically one of the most costly expenditures that homeowners face since they result in huge energy loss.
This material is 24 times less permeable to airflow than other kinds of insulation, which means your home temperature stays securely mediated.
Plus #3: Shield against mold, mildew, and contaminants
This insulation service is utilizing an inert polymer as the foam material. Even if it gets damp, mildew, mold, and bacteria will not be able to grow from this product because it does not provide a food source.
For this benefit, closed-cell insulation is superior to open-cell, although both are superior to organic insulating materials. This insulation product has significantly fewer pest infestation and air contamination problems than the other choices available on the market today.
Plus #4: Water impermeability
The spray foam insulation feature offers homeowners two major benefits to consider. It will not only prevent moisture from entering your attic or crawl space, but it will also prevent water from collecting during a flood, as other materials often do.
When properly installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions, this product will help your house endure far less damage during the building’s life.
Plus #5: R-value integrity
Although there may be potential problems with improper installation, this product will not lose R-value over time, which is a very significant favor to the positive side.
3.5 inches of aged R-value is found in open-cell insulation, whereas closed-cell products can provide up to a 7 R-value per inch.
Plus #6: A greener option
When you’re concerned about the environmental effect of your home, spray foam insulation is better than other materials for a variety of reasons.
It is environmentally beneficial, as it helps to cut energy use and avoid moisture damage. It reduces material usage and creates a product with fewer components in the first place by using fewer materials.
The Flaws it Carries
Flaw #1: Known to potentially shrink
The insulation can shrink with time, reducing the insulating properties it offers. Homes in areas where substantial temperature differences occur are more likely to suffer from this problem.
When the spray foam begins to pull away from the frame, other problems may develop. The only way to address this issue is to add more spray foam or remove the existing application and replace it with something fresh.
Flaw #2: Not perfectly versatile with cavities
Spray foam insulation, while being a flexible solution for improving home energy efficiency, is not a one-size-fits-all remedy that can fix everything. The expanding spray foam may miss parts of the walls, ceiling, or floor because there are sometimes holes where it does not reach as it expands.
When this problem occurs, the home may have temp regulation issues and you can hear more of the noises outside.
Flaw #3: Potential health hazards
“Isocyanates” are some of the key compounds in this product. When they come into contact with the lungs, eyes, or stomach, these chemical substances can irritate them.
Some individuals can experience edema, rashes, allergies, and inflammation after coming into contact with the foam. When working with this material, you must wear a respirator, goggles, and gloves.
Flaw #4: Can be a hefty option
When it comes to cost, fiberglass insulation is far less expensive to install in buildings than spray polyurethane foam. If you want the protection you need, expect to pay approximately $.40 per square foot for a fiberglass product.
If you choose the closed-cell spray foam insulation, you may pay up to $1.50 per board foot.
Flaw #5: Can incur water damage
If installers overlook cavities while using a foam product, there’s an increased danger of water damage throughout the building’s life.
When the air enters the various pockets of the house, particularly those in the attic, pressure differences may cause water to seep in via building flaws.
This procedure may have a detrimental effect on the structure’s walls and roof.
Consider these as you make a decision
Here are some additional factors to think about before deciding on the kind of insulation to use in your house:
Bump up of home value: According to preliminary findings, spray foam may be a factor in the greater resale value of properties, owing largely to the product’s energy efficiency.
Cost efficiency: Spray foam is claimed to reduce your home’s energy expenses by up to 50%. That’s a substantial annual cost saving when you consider the rapidly increasing energy cost.
Return on Investment: Here are some intriguing facts about the pay-off of spray foam usage in your home:
- The upfront investment is usually reimbursed in less than three years. This implies that after three years, the insulation will have paid for itself by saving energy bills.
- Foam insulation, rather than fiberglass, saves a homeowner over $1,000 in energy expenses.
Spray foam insulation is an excellent option. It’s a good idea to use closed-cell spray foam because it works particularly well. It has several advantages as well as drawbacks that should not be ignored.
They are mentioned above so always keep them in mind as you plan. In the end, the sort of insulation you choose will be determined by your application, budget, and wants. Always seek expert advice and do your homework. Good luck!
You might be interested in these home improvement posts as well
- 11 Ways to Have More Energy Efficient Homes
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- 7 Fantastic Cladding Ideas to Rejuvenate Your Home’s Exterior
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The fact that spray foam insulation has a lot of water impermeability impresses me a lot. Water and moisture have been the cause of most of my home’s problems, so preventing those issues as much as possible could benefit me in the long run. I’ll ask an insulation expert to help me out with this so our home is more protected against those kinds of things.