What is Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation? How It’s Made and Works for You

What is Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation? How It’s Made and Works for You

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is also referred to as medium density insulation. It’s applied by spraying after which it forms a constant air seal barrier and insulation in specific areas of your home. Find out how his insulation type is made and how you can choose the best insulation type for your needs.

 

Why Choose Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation

 

Spray foam insulation is popularly known to be robust when it comes to preventing heat transfer and minimizing infiltration effectively. One of the main features of the closed-cell spray foam is the fact that it’s denser compared to the open-cell spray foam. The foam insulation R-value determines its effectiveness in terms of resisting heat transfer. Closed-cell foams come with a high R-value of approximately 6.0 for every inch compared to other foam types. 

 

Still, some other closed-cell foams come with an R-value measuring approximately 7.14 for every inch and sometimes higher than that. If you are looking for the best insulation type for your crawl space or even attic, you can never go wrong with the closed-cell spray foam, more so because it’s resistant to water penetration and degradation. 

 

What this means is that you don’t have to worry about excess moisture in your home. By now you know the cons of having a moisture-filled home: the moist area becomes a breeding place for harmful mildew and mold, and can even attract pests and rodents. When this happens, the structural components of your home are jeopardized and your health is put at risk. 

 

You want a comfortable environment where you and your loved ones can thrive and you can only achieve this by controlling moisture in your crawl space. Closed-cell foams are sufficiently dense and this is important when it comes to controlling temperatures in the home, averting drafts, and insulating air. 

 

The density also comes in handy to help you bar mold growth seeing that when temperatures in your crawl space are in control, then the humidity in your home is also under control and this keeps harmful contaminants at bay. Another good thing with having a robust and dense foam is that it solidifies once it has formed fully. This reinforces the walls of the structure where it’s applied as much as it insulates appliances and buildings in general. 

 

More Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation Facts

 

This insulation type is often used in commercial and residential buildings as well as pole barns. If you’re wondering why this is the case, it’s because it goes a long way in controlling the temperature in the crawl space and your entire home in general as well as sealing off the air. According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) closed cell, spray foam highly resists floodwater. This means that it’s hardly damaged by extreme water. Closed-cell spray foam insulation is effective in preventing condensation and moisture across the home. 

 

What can You Expect from Closed Cell  Spray Foam Insulation?

 

Closed-cell spray foam insulation provides a robust bond to safeguard the floor or roof of your crawl space and prevent water leakage. This insulation foam is also ideal when it comes to enhancing the strength of your building and prolonging its lifespan. This explains why it’s popularly used to insulate uncovered walls in pole barns for its rigidity and the fact that it stays still even when it’s hit or bumped upon.

 

Comparing Open Cell and Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation

 

The spray foam insulation you choose will depend on your budget and the goal you want to achieve. You should know that closed-cell insulation is far much expensive compared to its open cell counterpart. However, it offers you more efficiency and long term benefits which are far much more than the initial investment. 

 

When you want to insulate your crawl space, you may want to hire a professional seeing that insulating your area is a complex job that involves the use of complex equipment and use of protective clothing which you may not have. However, if you’re a DIY enthusiast you can proceed to install the insulation while exercising caution and wearing protective clothing. 

 

Another important thing you should know is that each contractor has a preferred insulation type. When you hire a professional, it’s only good to discuss your expectations and budget to avoid conflicts once the job is completed. A reliable professional should be able to recommend the best insulation type depending on your needs, budget, and expectations. 

 

If you’re looking for rigidity, then closed-cell foam would be ideal. It’s worth noting that each insulation method comes with pros and cons. In the case of closed-cell foam insulation, it involves the use of a chemical agent which can generate unpleasant odor at least for some time after insulation.

 

While open-cell foam insulation is more effective compared to other insulation types such as cellulose and fiberglass, closed-cell insulation outperforms it. The good thing about open-cell insulation is that it offers high thermal insulation and air sealing performance. What’s more, it can act as a sound barrier. Before choosing this insulation type, however, you should beware that it can allow water to penetrate through and this can be an advantage because it allows you to establish problem areas and fixing them accordingly. Open-cell foam utilizes water as its blowing agent. 

 

What are the Ingredients of Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation?

 

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is made of organic chemical compounds, water blown, and chemicals. The organic chemical compounds are obtained from petroleum extracts. This insulation type is eco friendly, resists water, and comes with a class one fire rating. In order to produce the closed-cell foam insulation, resin and ISO are combined together on-site before the experts embark on the spraying process. 

 

Finally

 

Installing closed-cell spray foam insulation is a complex process and you should hire a professional to execute it. Ask the professional to evaluate the condition of the area you want to insulate and recommend the best solution. While closed-cell foam is expensive, it offers you extensive benefits and you may want to invest in it to avoid further expenses in the future. 



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