Pros & Cons Of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is one of the best high-performance products that have great thermal qualities. It meets all the criteria that are ideally found in a good insulation material such as reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.

This kind of housing material also helps to keep away allergens and moisture. Based on the kind of spray foam you have installed in your house, your energy bills will also be reduced substantially!

However, apart from the goodies associated with spray foam, there are also some disadvantages of spray foam that one must be aware of before installing it in his residence.

For instance, it is made of toxic compounds that might cause several health hazards. Apart from that, although spray foam is cheap, it requires upfront costs which may be quite high. The cost of installing foam spray is also quite high.

This article will give you a detailed insight into spray foam insulation and its different aspects, so that you can make an informed choice. Read on to find out.

Pros & Cons Of Spray Foam Insulation

As mentioned earlier, although spray foam will help you eliminate your energy charges, you might have to pay a massive amount for installation. You should also know that the spray foam coating comes at the cost of your healthy being.

Pros and cons of spray foam insulation at your residence:

Advantages of spray foam insulation

Here are the pros of spray foam insulation that you need to be happy about.

Slash down the excessive cost on energy

When you opt for foam insulation of your structure, you can sign in for a massive saving that would otherwise be spent on cooling and heating.

When you get this product in your house, you will receive a cost-benefit of approximately 50% almost instantly. If you compare the use of spray foam with other kinds of insulation that are used in households, you will realize that the energy-saving reaches 30%.

This insulation can also be used with other kinds of insulation. This will help to reduce the airflow issues which may pass through the ceiling, floor, and walls.

Great support to the homeowners

This type of insulation has an expansive nature which helps to seal and shut out the corners and gaps which would otherwise remain exposed.

No other method in the market can provide an air-tight seal like foam spray. This is why it is extremely important to have the correct kind of insulation at home, as it makes the process energy efficient.

Create an air-tight seal that is tough to break through

This expands very quickly. This allows the material to spread into the holes and cracks of the walls, attic, and crawl spaces. The leaks enhance energy loss.

The product has low permeability to air movement as compared to the other kinds of insulation available. When you install this insulation in your house, your house tends to remain warm in winter and cool in summer. 

Impermeable to water

This feature of foam spray serves two purposes. This protects the crawl space or attic from any kind of moisture that might seep into the structure. It also prevents water absorption during accidental events like flooding.

This means that if you install spray foam properly, expect better life of the whole structure. However, it is important to maintain the insulation keeping in mind the manufacturers’ instructions.

It can hinder the growth of mold and mildew

The foam that is used in spray foam insulation is composed of inert polymer. This prevents the mildew, bacteria, mold, etc. from seeking food support, even if it remains wet.

It has a longer life span

If you take good care of this insulation, you can be sure that the spray foam will stay intact all throughout after installation.

There are many perks of having this insulation for decades, even without having to worry about replacement or upgradation. Though the initial cost of installation is high, you will not have to spend on its maintenance multiple times.

It is environment-friendly

Out of a number of reasons why people choose this over other kinds of insulation, one of the primary reasons is that the product is very environmentally-friendly. One of the key features of this product is that it reduces energy consumption.

It also provides protection against moisture which can, otherwise, cause wear and tear of the structure. The product is also prepared using minimal products. If you wish to derive the best out of your spray foam, you need to get in touch with an expert professional who can design it in a way to optimize its advantages.

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Disadvantages of Spray Foam Insulation

Just like there are two sides to a coin, there are some disadvantages of spray foam insulation. Have a look at the most common loopholes below, alongside the advantages of spray foam insulation.

Some gaps might still be left behind

Although foam insulation is effective in ensuring that your home comes to terms with an energy-efficient solution, that is not an end to all your problems. Sometimes, some gaps may be left behind which are formed in the walls, floors, and ceilings, and the foam may not expand and reach every nook and crack.

When such an issue arises, the house tends to become warm in the summer and cold during the winter. Such missing cavities may give rise to air leakage, and make your room noisier by allowing all the outside chaos into your room.

It may make your building prone to water damage

When installers fail to pay attention to the cavities, there is a greater risk of damage caused due to water. Air seeps into the different pockets of the wall insulation and causes the pressure to change. This paves way for water to get in through the imperfections of the building.

If not nipped at the bud, it might cause premature harm to the roof and walls of the house.

The insulation might shrink

It is extremely easy and fast to install this as attic insulation. The fact that it is available at such affordable rates, makes it a convenient option.

However, as the product gets old, there might be an increased risk of the insulation shrinking. This affects the insulative qualities of the product.

To resolve this issue, one either has to keep fixing the shrunken insulation or has to tear down the entire frame and install a new one.

Installation charges are high

It takes a huge amount of money to install foam spray insulation. Therefore, this is a huge problem and may not be a feasible option for everyone.

Many health risks associated with the installation of spray foam

Spray foam insulators contain a major ingredient known as “isocyanate.” These are chemical compounds that can irritate the eyes, lungs, stomach, etc.

Its effect on the skin includes skin rashes, inflammation, swelling, etc. Long term exposure to such compounds can also give vent to sudden attacks like chemical bronchitis and asthma attacks.

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Is foam spray insulation worth it

If you want your home insulation to provide you with long-term comfort, and help you save a lot of energy, this insulation will be of great help to you as it will save you the extra cost of having to repair your insulation every now and then.

Final words

Therefore, now that you have a clear picture of the pros and cons of spray foam insulators, you can make an informed choice. If you hire a contractor who is experienced and skilled, you can be in a win-win situation for many years to come.

Therefore, it is important to make a wise decision when you are planning to install spray foam insulation at your house so that it can safeguard you with great ease for the longer run.

References

• https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/11/f5/case_study_spray_foam_application.pdf
• https://info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/Files/Pub40530.pdf
• https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2012/03/21/sprayfoam/
• https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/surveyreports/pdfs/005-166.pdf

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