When it comes to residential and commercial insulation services, Top to Bottom Insulation should be your first and only call.
We have decades of experience in the insulation industry and have worked with thousands of customers on properly protecting their property from harsh temperatures and increasing energy efficiency.
Choose a company that treats their customers like people, not invoices. Call (732) 462-7230 for a free estimate.
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Magnus E.
If you have been considering having SPF insulation installed in your home, commercial building or truck then you probably know that this type of insulation is extremely effective at providing an insulating barrier. But you may not be aware of all the different advantages this insulation offers. Here is a look at some of those advantages.
SPF insulation is able to fill the smallest cracks and crevices which means that it reduces the number of ports of entry for insects and rodents who want to enter your home. Impeding entry for these little critters helps increase the comfort of your home as well as helps to minimize upkeep when you don't have constantly spray to keep insects at bay.
It is often difficult to insulate larger areas sufficiently using traditional batt, but because spray foam insulation can expand many times this insulation easily covers larger areas with one solid barrier that prevents anything from penetrating between breaks in insulation because there are no breaks.
One of the most noticeable benefits of SPF insulation is the lowering of those energy bills. In many cases, this type of insulation can reduce your heating and cooling bills by 30% to 50% These savings will more than pay for the difference in cost between SPF installation and more traditional batt type insulation.
If you have ever lived in an old home you know how frustrating it can be to try and keep those drafts from sending chills down your spine in different locations in your home. SPF insulation expands when applied to block those cracks and crevices that are often the source of those drafts. Cutting down on drafts in your home will make your home much more comfortable.
Not only does SPF insulation insulate your home against the cold outside while keeping the warmth inside, it also creates a barrier that helps to reduce noise. This insulation depending on where it is used can block outside noises as well as noises from that home theater or other rooms in the house, resulting in a quieter environment.
SPF insulation minimizes air infiltration which is a leading cause of spreading mold and mildew spores. By minimizing air infiltration you minimize the opportunity for mold and mildew growth which can cause health problems for you and your family.
Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation
Closed cell spray foam contains cell thar are closed, which makes it more dense. The tightly packed cells are filled with gas that allows them to expand and rise. This can also help with building stability. Closed cell spray foam has an R-Value between 5.4 to 7.2 per inch.
Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation
Trying to decide what type of spray foam insulation you should use for your jobs? It’s trickier than it seems – though closed cell and open cell foam both insulate a home, they do it in different ways. In this guide we will examine open cell vs closed cell foam and help you pick the best product for your project.
What's the Difference Between Open Cell & Closed Cell?
Open and closed cell foam are two different types of spray foam insulation. They have different strengths and weaknesses, and one is not necessarily better than the other. It comes down to understanding the benefits of open cell vs closed cell foam and choosing the type that fits your needs.
The Cells
A spray insulation is referred to open cell or closed cell because of the difference between the small bubbles (cells) that make up the foam.
Open cell foam is full of cells that aren’t completely encapsulated. In other words, the cells are deliberately left open. This makes the foam a softer, more flexible material.
Closed cell foam is made up of cells that are, as the name suggests, completely closed. The cells are pressed together, so air and moisture are unable to get inside the foam. Because of this, closed cell foam is much more rigid and stable than open cell foam.
Density
Closed cell foam is much denser than open cell foam. Most open cell foam has a density of about .5 pounds per cubic foot. Closed cell foam can be over three times that, with a density of 1.75 pounds per cubic foot or more.
R-Value
A foams R-value is its resistance to heat flow or, in other words, how well they insulate. Closed cell foam has a higher R-value than open cell foam, usually about 6.0 per inch. But some closed cell foams, like Top to Bottom's Closed Cell formula, have even higher ratings that go up to almost 7 per inch. This higher rating makes closed cell foam better at keeping heat in or out of a structure.
Open cell foams have an R-value of around 3.5 per inch. This is significantly lower than closed cell foams, which can limit open cell insulations usefulness in extreme temperature conditions.
Expansion
This is one of the most important differences from an application standpoint. Closed cell foam is designed to expand to about 1″ of thickness when sprayed. With each inch offering an r-value of 7, multiple applications can be applied to achieve higher total r-values. Open cell foam is designed to expand to 3″ of thickness, meaning only one application is possible in most standard walls.
At this point, you might be still be trying to decipher which type of foam insulation is right for your project. Here’s a quick summary of open cell vs closed cell foam strengths and the best applications for each:
Closed cell foam is the best choice for robust insulating where space is an issue, as it can achieve 2x the R-Value of open cell inside a standard wall. Its rigid nature also adds to the structural integrity of the building and E84 fire rated versions are available. The closed cell also acts as a vapor barrier, so water and moisture will be less likely to get inside the home, and the foam itself is unharmed by water damage.
One of the biggest benefits of open cell foam is that it expands so much after it has been applied, meaning it can insulate hard to reach nooks and crannies in a home. These types of areas can be hard to insulate with closed cell foam. Open cell foam is excellent for soundproofing where a single application can completely fill the area between studs.
Open cell foam is also much more affordable than closed cell foam, however this foam won’t insulate a house as well as closed cell foam, so it’s not ideal for locations with extreme weather temperatures.
If you want to make your home more comfortable, insulation upgrades should be a top priority. Call us today at (732) 462-7230 or email sales@toptobottom.com for a free estimate today!
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