Welcome to our FAQ. Here you will find answers to common questions elated to Spray Foam Insulation.
Why choose Spray Foam over traditional insulation?
Spray Foam (Spray Polyurethane Insulation) is superior to other insulations such as “loose fill” cellulose or fiberglass batting because it seals in addition to insulating. Spray Foam fills the cracks and crevices and creates an effective air barrier that traditional insulations cannot. A house insulated with spray foam can reduce heating and air costs by as much as 40%. Not only will you realize enough savings to pay back your initial investment in spray foam, you will begin to make money on the investment the longer you stay in the house.
Can Spray Foam be installed in existing homes or just new homes?
Spray Foam can be installed in existing homes in several places that will make a significant impact in reducing your energy loss. The attic and crawl space are the area’s most commonly upgraded, but there are many other areas as well. Attic knee walls, bonus rooms, and rim joists are all other prime areas to seal and start saving money.
Can you install Spray Foam in existing walls that are covered by drywall or plaster?
Yes! KY Spray Foam is a proud local installer of Tripolymer injection foam (www.injectionfoam.com) and can insulate behind drywall or plaster. This can be done from the outside under vinyl siding, through small holes in the brick mortar (that can be filled and hidden) or inside concrete block. It is not as invasive as you would think and can make a huge difference in the efficiency of your home.
What is the difference between Open Cell Foam and Closed Cell Foam?
Open cell Foam is lighter and fluffier than Closed Cell but is still an effective air barrier. Closed Cell Foam is much harder and acts as a vapor barrier in addition to being an air barrier. Open Cell (.5 pcf) Foam is commonly called “half-pound” foam because its weight is approximately ½ pound per 1 cubic foot. Closed Cell “Two Pound” Foam is roughly 2.0 pcf which makes it four times the density of “half-pound” foam. Generally, Open Cell Foam is around R 3.6 per inch whereas Closed Cell Foam is around 6.7 per inch.
Should I choose Open Cell or Closed Cell Foam for my home?
Both Open Cell Foam and Closed Cell Foam are excellent choices for your Residential project. However, we generally recommend Open Cell Foam for interiors unless you have a specific need for Closed Cell Foam. Specific applications such as exterior applications or those requiring a vapor retarder require Closed Cell Foam. Open Cell Foam is generally much more cost effective and a better choice where there is plenty of cavity depth available for the insulation and a vapor retarder is not needed. If there is only a small cavity, closed cell is preferred as it can attain a much higher R-Value per inch and will add structural stability if it is needed.
When is the proper time to install Spray Foam in my New House or Addition?
Spray Foam is installed at the same time in the construction process as traditional insulation. All framing, electrical, plumbing and rough HVAC installation and inspections need to be completed before we arrive. Drywall is generally ready to be hung as soon as the spray foam is completed.
Is Spray Foam Insulation safe?
Yes! Spray Foam is safe for the environment and contains no CFC’s, HCFC’s, HFC’s, formaldehyde or ozone depleting chemicals. It has been used to insulate homes since the 1960’s and is code approved. Please refer to the product MSDS sheet for more specific questions.
What brand foam does KY Spray Foam use and what is Icynene?
KY Spray Foam uses a few different brands of foam, depending on the specific application. Generally we use Gaco Western Wall Foam (www.gacowallfoam.com) although we have installed as many as 10 different brands over the years. Most foams are made of the same materials and have basically the same characteristics, so don’t let the big name brands fool you into paying for their name. Icynene is just a brand of Spray Polyurethane Foam.
How do I get the Spray Foam Insulation process started?
Simply give us a call at 859-608-8476 or email us at info@kysprayfoaminsulation.com to get a free telephone consultation. We can discuss your project, offer solutions, and set-up a site visit if appropriate. KY Spray Foam will be very open about pricing and will be happy to answer any questions you might have – so feel free to ask!
