Spray foam insulation works for any home, be it a newly constructed one or an old one. It helps keep allergens and pollutants out of the house while also lessening the stress on the heating and cooling system of the structure. Even though the insulation is perfect for providing overall effect across the house, there are specific areas that might need it the most, for instance the walls, the basement and the attic. Applying it in these areas allows you to experience up to 50% better energy conservation as well as better moisture control in your house.
The spray foam insulation is usually generalized into three categories. The first type is retrofit whereby it is used for nothing else other than renovating and insulating the home. The second type is addition which is used as an extension to the existing system as its name suggests. Then there is the custom type that is used for insulating a newly constructed home. The foam is sprayed on the insulation in order to fill the gaps and provide an airtight barrier that allows your home to stay as it should.
The spray foam insulation has many advantages compared to other insulation methods such as cellulose and fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass insulation is quite dated and therefore a lot of people prefer using spray foam insulation that has been tested and proven to work effectively and has been around since the last decade or two. People also consider the level of difficulty for installation, and spray foam is much easier compared to other insulation methods such as fiberglass.
Another advantage of using spray foam insulation is that it is not prone to attack by termites, pests and other rodents as it is the case for other methods such as cellulose insulation. It also provides good sound proofing capabilities, it is cool and energy efficient and as a result your monthly utility bills will be dramatically lowered when you are using it. It is usually applied in liquid form, and then it expands hundred times its original liquid size in just a few seconds. It conforms and fills every tiny gap as it expands to create a sealed thermal envelope. This in turn creates a protective wall against wind as well as a safeguard against leakage.
This insulation is subdivided into two types, namely the closed and the open cells. This subdivision is based on the different places in the home as well as the climatic conditions. Every system has its advantages depending on some aspects. Open cells are quite advantageous when it comes to providing better sound rejection while the closed cells are poor when it comes to sound rejection. Open cells cost moderate compared to the closed cells. The open cells are also more flexible in nature while the closed cells are more rigid and therefore moving them around is quite hard. The closed cells will however be the better option in a flood prone area since they do not let water in.