Adding spray foam insulation is one of the most effective ways to make a home more energy-efficient and comfortable. DIYers and pros can spray this insulation between studs, rafters and other spaces, and the formula expands in place to fill in all the tiny spaces that fiberglass batts might not reach. This spray foam insulation buying guide will explain the points that folks considering this insulation need to know. There are essentially two types of spray foam insulation. Both materials are a combination of two chemicals and expand in place, but how they insulate differs. They’re also among the most effective types of insulation.
R-value is the term given to thermal resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value of an insulation product, the more effective the insulation properties. Spray polyurethane foam comes in a range of densities and cell structures. Low-density foams are referred to as open-cell SPF while higher-density foams are referred to as closed-cell foam. 1.8-2 pound polyurethane foam has the highest R-value of readily available spray foam insulation used in homes and buildings.
The heat that is created elsewhere is transported by means of a fluid, such as water or in our case air. Spray foam insulation's most important attribute is the ability to air seal creating a custom airtight envelope within the building structure. The added benefit to air sealing is the ability to block convective heat transfer from the interior to the exterior during heating months and vice versa during cooling months, as the heat cannot escape through gaps in the building's envelope without the aid of air movement from infiltration as a means of transport.
