Spray foam insulation has been on the market for households for quite a while now. This product is used in many new building projects because it provides both comfort and energy efficiency at the same time. It may assist in repairing concerns relating to inadequate insulation, lowering utility costs, and remodelling crawl areas or attics. This product serves as both insulation and an extra air barrier. It produces results that help with minimising the escape of air in a building, which reduces the volume of energy loss that a residence endures throughout the various seasons. It may be sprayed into open spaces and will never lose form or settle like other insulating solutions.While providing the advantages listed above, spray foam insulation solutions have a good influence on heat transmission and convection, which can affect the comfortability levels in a building. You can get the desired outcomes by using open-cell or closed-cell products. If your home may benefit from an energy-efficiency renovation and are looking for a solution, here are the advantages and disadvantages of spray foam insulation.
Pros
Great Level of Support
Choosing the closed-cell version or any version of spray foam for that matter over other insulation solutions is one of the best things you can do for your home. You will find that spray foam insulation performs significantly better than the other insulation options currently accessible to homeowners across the world. Because of the product’s expanding nature, installers may cover off any spaces and crevices that would otherwise be exposed with any other insulation method. There is no other technology on the market that can offer an air-tight cover like this one, which is why most people tend to select it. Furthermore, because of its air-tight seal, installing this insulation solution may also increase a home’s energy efficiency.
Reduce Utility Bills
When you choose spray foam insulation for your property, you may save a considerable amount of cash on your cooling and heating systems. If you implement this solution in a home or building that does not have any insulation, the cost savings are around 50% right away, which is a very significant amount. When compared to other types of insulation, spray foam saves you up to 30% on energy and reduces the amount of work that your heating and cooling systems endure. You may also combine this product with other forms of insulation to minimise the amount of air that passes through your walls, floor, or ceiling.
Airtight Seal
This insulation substance quickly expands into the different gaps and holes in your crawl space, attic, and walls. These leaks are frequently one of the most costly expenses that homeowners encounter since they increase the amount of energy lost and may allow outside elements to sneak in. When compared to other types of insulation, this product is 24 times less permeable to air flow, which means your house stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It may also be placed practically anywhere to provide this benefit.
Eco-friendly
When it comes to the environmental effect of your house, there are various reasons why spray foam insulation is preferable to alternative materials. It helps to lower your energy usage and protects against moisture, which may cause early wear and tear on the structural integrity of your home. Furthermore, spray foam insulation utilises fewer resources in the first place, like during the production of the substance and such. To realise the potential of these benefits, you must contact a professional who is experienced with this product. The research will be very much worth it because of what this insulating alternative offers.
Adds to the Structural Integrity
If you added fibreglass insulation to your walls or roof, you would not get any structural integrity benefits. This product option’s sound barrier efficiency is also relatively low. Using closed-cell spray foam insulation can help to minimise noise pollution while also strengthening your home’s overall structure. Spray foam has the potential to improve the racking strength of your roof or walls by a considerable amount when used correctly.
When installed correctly, spray foam insulation is a permanent solution that does not droop over time, as well. Its performance is unaffected even at extremely cold temperatures.
Cons
Prone to Water Damage
While cavities are overlooked by installers when utilising a spray foam insulation solution, your home is at an increased risk of water damage for the duration of its life. When air enters the different pockets of the home, particularly those in the attic, the pressure difference might encourage water to leak in through the architectural flaws of the insulation. This procedure may cause early damage to the home’s walls and roof. Because the homeowner does not know if there was a lack of coverage until the damage is visible, it might be difficult for them to recuperate their losses outside of their insurance plan.
Shrinkage
Spray foam insulation is quickly becoming a popular product due to its ease of installation and low cost. It is likely that as this product becomes older, the insulation will begin to shrink, lessening the insulative benefits it provides. Homes in geographical areas with extreme temperature changes are more likely to have this effect. The additional problems described above might develop as it starts to move apart from the frame. The only method to remedy this problem is to add additional spray foam or to remove the existing application and replace it with something fresh.
Requires Expertise to Install
Many spray foam insulation contractors experience the problem that the substance dries fast once the installation procedure begins. This problem mostly affects people who purchase the open-cell version of this product. As the material dries, it will begin to fold over itself, leaving empty spaces not noticeable. If an installer is not diligent, he or she may overlook these areas, which will lead to an improper installation and a poor spray foam insulation. If the product is excessively heavy or too thin, the homeowner will have issues with it in the future and will need to spend more money and time on it.
Health Hazards and Concerns
Many of the dangers involved with spray foam insulation are solely the installer’s fault, which is why you must hire a trusted one. The key components in this substance are known as “isocyanates.” When exposed to these chemical compounds, they can irritate the lungs, eyes, and stomach. Some people may develop symptoms, like puffiness, skin rashes, and irritation if they come into touch with the foam. When working with this product, you must use a respirator, goggles, and gloves. Chronic exposure can cause asthma episodes and chemical bronchitis.
Cannot Fill Every Possible Crevice
Although spray foam insulation provides a versatile option for enhancing a home’s energy efficiency as well as their structural integrity, it is not a magical answer that can fix all the problems of a homeowner. There are instances when gaps occur in the walls, ceiling, or floor that the solution does not always fill as it expands. When this problem develops, the house grows warmer in the summertime and colder in the wintertime, and you may hear more outside noises. Air leaking can also be caused by missing cavities.
Installing spray foam insulation with the help of an insulation service is a great way to improve the overall condition of your home. Although it provides various benefits, it is not perfect and has a few disadvantages. The pros of installing this solution are that it provides a great level of support, reduces utility bills, provides an airtight seal, is eco-friendly and adds to the structural integrity of your home. The cons of this insulation method are that it’s prone to water damage and shrinkage, requires expertise to install, poses health hazards and cannot fill every possible crevice. Regardless of its disadvantages, this insulation method is one of the best on the market and is one that you should consider for your home.