You may have heard of contractors using spray foam as an insulation material, but do you know why it’s such a popular choice? Keep reading to learn what makes spray foam such a good insulator and why you might want to consider it for your next insulation project.
Water Resistance
What you might not know about spray foam insulation is that there are multiple types of foam. The two main types of spray foam insulation are open-cell and closed-cell foams. Closed-cell foam is one of the most popular choices for insulating roofs in residential homes and businesses. This is due to its water resistance. Closed-cell foam forms a vapor barrier that helps insulate your home or business from water and humidity. By looking at the advantages of spray polyurethane foam roofing, you can see how this material is useful in several applications. It’s a great insulator for all spaces, especially those with high humidity or wet conditions.
High R-Value
Spray foam has one of the highest R-values of any type of insulation. If you’re not familiar, a material’s R-value measures a material’s thermal resistance. People often use the R-value to determine insulation effectiveness, especially when comparing insulation materials. The higher the R-value, the more resistant to heat a material is. For example, closed-cell spray foam has an R-value of R-7 per inch, and open-cell foam has an R-value of around R-4 per inch. This high R-value prevents heat from escaping or entering your home or business, depending on the time of year.
Excellent Coverage
Finally, spray foam also provides some of the best coverage of any type of insulation. Some types of insulation, such as fiberglass, still provide spaces where air flow can travel through the material. However, spray foam applications cover cracks and prevent this excess air flow. Because of this insulation’s unique foam form, it can secure a tight fit to your roof, siding, walls, and more to prevent leaks. This also helps your HVAC system run more efficiently by preventing energy waste.
Hopefully, exploring these unique properties of spray foam insulation has helped explain what makes it such a good insulator. The next time you need to reapply insulation to your home or business, remember these advantages of spray foam insulation—it could save you money and energy in the future!
