Spray foam insulation resists conduction and convection – keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This translates into lower energy bills and a more comfortable, consistent temperature throughout your home. Spray Foam Insulation Houston is only installed by certified professionals. During the installation process, home occupants need to vacate the home until it has time to air out and cure.

Moisture Control

Spray foam is not only a good choice for new construction and existing homes, it also works great in commercial buildings and pole barns. It can be sprayed into spaces like attics, crawl spaces, and rim joists as well as cavities around electrical outlets and light fixtures. Unlike other insulation products, spray foam does not lose its shape or compress over time. It also does not sag or settle. The spray foam insulation installation process is typically done by professional insulation contractors who can get it applied quickly and neatly.

The most important aspect of spray foam insulation is the air seal it creates in a home or building. The air barrier keeps heat from leaking into the space, which can reduce heating costs in the winter and cooling costs in the summer. The air seal also helps to stop drafts and maintain a consistent temperature in the space.

In addition to providing energy savings, the air seal created by spray foam insulation can help keep your house cleaner. Without proper ventilation, toxins and pollutants build up in a home which can lead to health issues. A spray foam insulation installation coupled with a mechanical fresh air ventilation system keeps the indoor air quality in the home high while ensuring pollutants are carried outdoors.

Mold grows in moist conditions, and spray foam insulation can block the moisture from entering a wall cavity and damaging drywall or wood framing. This can prevent costly repairs and help protect the integrity of the building structure. Spray foam can also be used to prevent the spread of mold spores from one area of the room to another, which will save you time and money in cleaning up and repairing damaged areas.

When choosing between open and closed-cell spray foam, it is important to consider the climate zone in which you live. Closed-cell spray foam is more effective in a wider range of climates because it has a greater resistance to water infiltration and moisture migrating through the material. Open-cell spray foam does not offer this benefit and may require the use of a vapor retarder in climates where moisture migration is common.

Air Sealing

Many traditional insulation materials like fiberglass or cellulose lack the ability to act as a sealant. Foam insulation, however, creates an air seal in addition to providing thermal protection. This combination prevents conditioned air from escaping your home and helps keep energy costs low.

Most of the energy that escapes your home is lost through air leakage, not thermal transfer. The combination of a strong building envelope (insulation and air sealing) and proper ventilation can dramatically cut energy costs and improve comfort.

One of the primary reasons that spray foam is able to deliver such dramatic energy savings over other types of insulation is its ability to create an air seal in addition to insulating. The foam expands when it comes in contact with air, filling cracks and crevices. This is especially important for areas that are prone to air leakage, such as around doors and windows.

A professional installer can make a significant impact on your home’s air quality by using low expansion spray foam made specifically for this purpose around the areas where air is likely to leak in and out of your home. They may also use caulking or other materials to reduce air leaks in and out of your house. This may include addressing the issues around exterior doors and windows, replacing single-pane windows with more efficient double-pane windows, sealing dryer vents, installing gaskets on electrical outlets and switch plates, and caulking around the baseboards in the basement or crawl space.

While many homeowners and DIYers can perform a portion of this work, it is difficult to get the same level of air sealing that is achieved when spray foam insulation is used in an existing home. This combination of air sealing and insulation allows for maximum energy efficiency and cost savings.

Foam All Spray’s insulation contractors can help you determine the appropriate amount of foam insulation for your home by conducting a thorough home energy assessment. This assessment will identify the most cost-effective upgrades to increase your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. It can also be used to identify specific concerns about moisture, radon, particulates and carbon monoxide infiltration.

Energy Savings

Spray foam insulation can significantly lower your energy bills. It stops air leakage that allows costly heating and cooling to go to waste due to gaps and cracks, and it blocks the transfer of heat between hot and cold areas. It can also block the entry of rodents, moisture and pollutants into your home. The fact that it creates an airtight seal also means your HVAC filters won’t get clogged with all the dirt and dust that tends to find its way into your home through conventional fiberglass or cellulose insulation.

In addition to lowering your heating and cooling costs, it also helps stop energy losses from the sun. The foam will expand to fill all the small spaces in your walls and ceilings, and it stops the flow of heat that would normally escape into a room in the summer. Likewise, the foam will prevent the transfer of heat from your indoor spaces into the cold outside air in winter.

This makes your home more comfortable all year round, and it also helps to save on water usage. Less hot water is used in the kitchen and bathrooms, which also saves money on your gas or electricity bills.

The other environmental advantage of spray foam is that it’s made from recycled materials and has a much lower global warming potential than traditional petroleum-based products. This is because spray foam insulation is made from a blend of soybeans, which are renewable resources and don’t release as many greenhouse gases when they are harvested and processed.

Using an alternative blowing agent for spray foam also has the potential to make it even more environmentally friendly. Most manufacturers use HFCs, which have a high global warming potential, but some companies are making the switch to low-GWP blowing agents in their foam products.

If you choose to install spray foam insulation in your home, ask the contractor if they can provide a product that uses an alternative blowing agent. It may mean that they’ll have to use more soybeans, but the reduced global warming potential of these alternatives will help offset this.

Longevity

Although spray foam insulation seems to be airtight and permanent after it sets, the fact is that this type of material is not indestructible. It will eventually deteriorate, especially if not properly maintained. Once it degrades, its R-value will drop significantly, leading to drafty areas and higher energy bills. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to help your spray foam last longer.

First, it’s important to monitor and regulate both temperature and humidity. Fluctuations in these factors can cause moisture problems within the insulation, which will inevitably affect its performance. A simple thermometer and hygrometer can be very effective tools for monitoring these variables. Additionally, regulating humidity levels with dehumidifiers can greatly increase the longevity of your spray foam insulation.

Another key element is regular inspections of the foam surface. Inspecting for signs of deterioration can allow homeowners to take prompt action to repair these issues. The most common signs of deterioration include cracks, gaps, and discoloration of the insulation surface. It’s also important to keep the surface clean by removing any dust or dirt that may accumulate. This will prevent mold growth and other damage to the material.

Aside from visual cues, unusual odors can also indicate a problem with the spray foam insulation. Foul or musty odors are usually indicative of excess moisture, which can lead to mold problems and reduced R-value. It’s important to notice and recognize these odors so that they can be addressed promptly.

Lastly, it’s important to make sure that your spray foam insulation is installed by a certified professional. This will ensure that your house is well-insulated and that the spray foam is applied in the most effective manner possible. This will maximize its lifespan and provide you with the greatest amount of energy savings in the long run.

Choosing to have spray foam insulation installed in your home can be an excellent investment. Not only will it save you money on your energy costs, but it can also improve your overall quality of life. Contact REenergizeCO today to learn more about incorporating this powerful insulation into your home.