Spray Foam FAQ for Homeowners
A two-part mixture is applied by trained professionals to the surface to be insulated. The spray mixture expands rapidly to fill all cracks and voids, completely and permanently adhering to wood, masonry, metal, concrete, and most other construction materials.
es. Building codes provide for the use of spray polyurethane insulation in the Foam Plastic section. This section of the code also describes the use of thermal barriers.
Normally, spray polyurethane insulation is installed at the same point in the construction cycle as other types of insulation. That is, it should be installed after the rough plumbing, electrical wiring, and heating and air conditioning ducts have been installed. If you decide to seal the entire exterior shell with spray polyurethane, spray insulation may need to be applied in some areas before the ductwork is installed.
Yes. Building codes provide for the use of spray polyurethane insulation in the Foam Plastic section. This section of the code also describes the use of thermal barriers.It seems like the radiation of heat through the windows would make the attic hot. Windows in a conditioned attic are similar to windows in your home. They are holes in the insulation. The energy they allow through them will have to be made up from your heating or cooling system. Consider removing them or covering them from the inside in some manner and insulating them.
Not practically. Spray polyurethane application requires complex equipment and a skilled installer with training in the safe and proper installation of the polyurethane system.
Great question as we hear this a lot. Unfortunately for you DIYers, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) equipment is not for rent. Installation of SPF needs to be done by a well-trained installer. It's not as easy as it looks. There are some small kits on the market, but they are made for very small projects like sealing joints and cracks.
To help reduce outside noise through a wall, either open or closed-cell spray polyurethane foam is a good choice. The most important choice is to use the correct type for your climate zone.
To help reduce outside noise through a wall, either open or closed-cell spray polyurethane foam is a good choice. The most important choice is to use the correct type for your climate zone.
There are no chemical compatibility issues between open-cell spray polyurethane foam and rock wool insulation. You need to make sure, however, that the combination is designed properly for your climate zone and building code.
Spray polyurethane foam is approved for use as an insulation material in contact with soil, but we do not know how foam scraps would perform as soil fill, therefore, cannot recommend its use for this purpose.
The standard means of disposal of spray foam scraps is to dispose in normal construction waste to a landfill.
Spray foam insulation is professionally installed at the same point in the construction cycle as other types of insulation. That is, using traditional building techniques, spray foam should be installed after the rough plumbing, electrical wiring, and heating and air conditioning ducts have been installed, but before the interior walls are completed in new construction. In some cases spray foam also can be applied in older buildings or structures, to the inside of roofs and under floors after construction has been completed.
This is a great question. Both open-cell and closed-cell spray foam insulation adhears extremely well to the underside of roof decks and the rafters surrounding them when installed correctly. I have not heard of any evidence to support your theory. This should not be a concern when applying foam to the underside of a roof deck.
Your building does need to be ventilated in order to maximize indoor air quality (moisture levels and contaminant levels). Most design professionals will advise you to seal the structure as tight as possible and provide the necessary ventilation through the heating and air conditioning system. Many systems employ a highly energy efficient "air exchanger" which is designed to pre-condition (either warm or cool) the incoming outside air with the outgoing exhaust air. In this manner, you can build an extremely energy efficient exterior shell using high-performance spray foam insulation while still providing controlled and energy efficient ventilation.
Spray Foam FAQ for Commercial
Normally, spray polyurethane insulation is installed at the same point in the construction cycle as other types of insulation. That is, using traditional building techniques, spray foam should be installed after the rough plumbing, electrical wiring, and heating and air conditioning ducts have been installed. If you decide to seal the entire exterior shell with spray polyurethane, spray insulation may need to be applied in some areas before the ductwork is installed.
Spray polyurethane foam can be applied directly to electrical wiring. Recessed lights or other fixtures may require a certain amount of air circulation around them for cooling purposes. In these cases, a box can be build around the fixture with gypsum wall board; then spray foam can be sprayed directly to the outside of the box.
Unlike cellulose and fiberglass materials, closed-cell foam is impervious to water penetration and wicking. Yet, like Gortex® fabric, the closed-cell structure allows the diffusion of water vapor (high energy particles) to permit your building's envelope to "breathe". Liquid water has much larger structure and is unable to pass into or through a closed-cell foam barrier.
Spray polyurethane insulation is sprayed on as a liquid which reacts and expands in place. This expansion action also seals all of the cracks and crevasses in your wall's exterior sheathing. The result is that air can no longer slip in: your building will be less drafty and more comfortable. Air leakage can also introduce moisture into the wall cavity, resulting in wet insulation and mold and mildew. With the sealing effects of spray polyurethane foam, this will not be a concern
I'm afraid this question is difficult to answer without more information. Especially in roofing, there are a lot of variables, beyond just the cost of the material, that go into creating a SPF roof. I would need to come out to give you a quote - please use my quote form to set up an appointment.
Yes. Building codes provide for the use of spray polyurethane insulation in the Foam Plastic section. This section of the code also describes the use of thermal barriers.
Your building does need to be ventilated in order to maximize the quality of indoor air (moisture levels and contaminant levels). Most design professionals will advise you to seal the structure as tight as possible and provide the necessary ventilation through the heating and air conditioning system. Many systems employ a highly energy efficient "air exchanger" which is designed to pre-condition (either warm or cool) the incoming outside air with the outgoing exhaust air. In this manner, you can build an extremely energy efficient exterior shell using spray polyurethane foam while still providing controlled and energy efficient ventilation.
The building code in unvented attic section 2012 R806.5 or 2009 R806.4 states that wood shingles or shakes should have a minimum 1/4 inch vented air space between the shake and the roofing underlayment. Spraying directly to the underside of shakes is not recommended per this code
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