NORTH BROWARD & BOCA Blog

What is Spray foam and why do you need it?

If you have been researching insulation choices for your new home improvement project, you have probably come across many different types of insulation including, fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam.

Spray Foam Insulation, especially compared to traditional fiberglass or cellulose insulation, offers many benefits for homeowners in South Florida. With some of the highest insulation R-values available, spray foam insulation can improve efficiency and comfort as well as also providing a tight air seal for your attic. Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a versatile insulation and sealant that can create a continuous air barrier on multiple surfaces in homes or buildings, including ceilings, walls and concrete slabs. Spray polyurethane foam is created by mixing two fast-reacting liquids, isocyanate and polyol resin, that expand to create foam when mixed.

Open Cell vs. Closed Cell Foam

There are two different types of spray foam; open cell and closed cell, and both offer different benefits that affect the cost and performance of your insulation project. Choosing the right insulation for your house is important to ensure that your home is properly sealed, ventilated and insulated.   

Open-cell foam has a lower R-value per inch than closed-cell, and is typically about 30% less expensive. Due to the lower R-value, open-cell must be applied in a thicker layer. For this reason, it lends itself to areas that offer more space, such as attics, ceilings and floor joists.

Closed-cell foam is more expensive, but that investment pays off in a higher R-value per inch. In addition, because of it's 'sticky' qualities and rigidity once set, it can also provide increased structural integrity to walls and ceilings.

Benefits of spray foam insulation 

There are a lot of reasons to update your insulation, but why make the choice to use spray foam insulation? Spray foam insulation is a premium product that many homeowners nowadays choose and that decision is usually based on the materials benefits. If you're experiencing high energy bills year-round because your home can't maintain a constant temperature, then the air seal created by spray foam can help.

Up to 40 percent of a building’s energy is lost due to air infiltration.  

Gaps and air leaks allow expensive heating and air conditioning to go to waste and needlessly increase your energy bills. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 56 percent of a home’s energy is used for heating and cooling.

Whether you are buying a new house or renovating your current home, choosing the right insulation is a way more important task than you might realize. Especially in South Florida, where temperatures in the summer can easily crawl up to the high 90s, your house needs proper insulation in order to support your A/C in cooling down your space and making it more comfortable. Spray Foam Insulation lasts 80+ years and might just be the right choice for your home.

Energy Bill Savings

Sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation is applied to the attic, crawl space or rim joist and completely fills any space including little gaps and crevices. It therefore stops air leakage and creates an air seal. By completely sealing your building envelope, you can improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. This air barrier will support your air conditioning in maintaining a constant temperature and therefore lower your monthly energy bills. Home owners in South Florida could save up to 50% on their FPL bill. 

Adds to structural integrity 

Especially in South Florida, where hurricanes can put our homes in danger, structural integrity is important and, due to its density and hardness, closed foam insulation can actually strengthen your home's structures and prevent damage.

Spray Foam Insulation gets everywhere and holds your house together like strong glue that stays in place over many years and does not shrink. Insulating your attic might therefore save your roofing during the next hurricane season. Some high-performance spray foams demonstrate wind uplift resistance that meets the "High Velocity Hurricane Zone" criteria of the Florida Building Code. When applied to concrete, the wind uplift resistance is even stronger.

A Healthier Home

The seamless barrier created by spray foam insulation that seals every inch of your home actually offers many health benefits. Air cannot penetrate the walls as it does without insulation or even some other types of insulation. It therefore cannot transport allergens, dust, pollen and insects into your home and offers relief for those with allergies and respiratory conditions. 

Mold and mildew are serious health risks that result from moisture in your home. A non-insulated structure as well as some types of insulation are susceptible to moisture and lead to mildew growth and airborne mold spores that penetrate your space. Mold can be the reason for unhealthy air quality and can cause your home's decay. 

Want to Start But Don't Know Where?

Insulating can be a rough and tricky process for most people, that's why we have an amazing team of experts to help you save money. There are many areas in your home that could use insulating that you would never in a million years imagine. Spray foam insulation can be used to seal areas that commonly involve air leaks, including:

• Plumbing vents
• Attic hatches
• Wiring holes
• Behind knee walls
• Basement rim joists
• Windows and doors
• Open soffits
• Recessed light, furnace flue or duct chaseways

Contact your local North Broward and Boca Koala Insulation team to receive a complimentary in-person evaluation and we will help identify those air leaks and take care of them!