Spray Foam Insulation

Grand Rapids MI

07 June, 2021

12:34 PM

Description

Spray Foam: Do you need it and is it worth the investment? The world around us is rapidly changing at an astonishing rate. Many of us remember the days of CD players, cassette tapes, and other novel technologies. Just as technology has greatly advanced, so too has construction practices. One of the areas that has improved the most is insulation capabilities, mainly spray foam technology. People have been innovating new ways to insulate their shelters from the beginning of time. Although we have come a long way it seems there is still a huge need for improvement. A recent report concluded that about 1 in 5 homes that were built prior to 1980 are not sufficiently insulated. Although the percentage of newer houses wasn’t quite as low, there was still a significant amount that were found to also not be sufficiently insulated.  Fiberglass insulation Vs. Spray Foam Insulation When most people think of insulation they immediately think about large rolls of fiberglass insulation. This is for good reason as they are the most widely used form of insulation and are fairly straightforward to install. So what is the difference between fiberglass insulation and spray foam? And which should you choose? The truth is that you can achieve sufficient insulation with either product, but spray foam does have several advantages. First it is important to know that there are two different types of spray foam (open and closed cell). Although fiberglass insulation has come a long way there is still air leakage that tends to occur, leading to a less efficient product. On the other hand, closed cell spray foam is airtight and there is no air leakage (open cell has minimal leakage).  R-Value The most important measurement when it comes to insulation efficiency is known as the R-value. The higher that the number is, the more efficient the insulation is. It is important to know your area's recommended R-value which is heavily impacted on weather and temperature trends. For example it is recommended to have a higher R-value if you live in Michigan than if you live in Texas. The average R-value for fiberglass insulation and spray foam insulations are as follows: Fiberglass averages 2.2 per inch (this is reduced as it ages), open cell spray foam 3.5 per inch, closed cell typically ranges from 6 to 7 per inch (it is important to note that spray foam does not lose efficiency as it ages).  Ultimate Barrier One of the areas that makes spray foam superior is the fact that it is impermeable to water. This makes it a great product for waterproofing basements and attics. Not only does the water not affect the insulation, but the spray foam can also help cause far less damage as it will keep moisture out of the house. It will also avoid absorbing water in the case of a flood. Moisture can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew. With spray foam insulation creating such a good barrier, as well as having certain polymers, it is very resilient in preventing mold and mildew to grow.  Spray foam also works great as a sound barrier. This is due to the density and the fact that it is airtight, or mostly airtight in the case of open cell spray foam. Creating a sound barrier can make your house quieter and give you a buffer from outdoor noise.  Cost of a Professional Spray Foam Contractor? Is it worth the investment? One of the first questions that people rightfully ask is what is the cost associated with insulation. In full transparency there is a fairly large difference between fiberglass insulation and the protections provided from a spray foam contractor in this case. On average, fiberglass insulation costs about $.40 per square foot. Spray foam insulation can cost anywhere from $.90-$1.50 per board foot according to spray foam insulation Michigan local home builders, Legacy Building Group. With open cell spray foam being the cheaper of the two products, their builders tend to stick to closed cell foam as it provides a much greater energy efficiency rating. This is something that is definitely worth noting when considering between fiberglass and spray foam. So this leads to the question of, is spray foam worth the investment? Although the price tag is higher up front there are many factors to take into consideration. Whereas fiberglass will last about 10-25 years if it is in ideal conditions, spray foam can last a lifetime. Spray foam is significantly more efficient and can lead to a drop in your utility bills, especially if your house is not sufficiently insulated to start with. People who live in colder environments will get the most benefit from spray foam. Fiberglass offers no protection as a barrier to water. So if you truly want to protect your home and want something to waterproof your basement or attic spray foam is the obvious choice. This could lead to significantly less damage and save you money in the long run. So although it is a greater initial investment, spray foam should absolutely be considered for its numerous advantages.