Why Use Attic Spray Foam Insulation Anyway?

When talking about insulating the attic, there are several options available all over the market promising best results in insulation. These include the fiberglass, among others, but why use the spray foam insulation for the attic? Apart from its several benefits, it also offers a closed cell choice which turns out to be the best options for attic energy loss solution and wood rot due to excessive moisture. Below are some of the benefits of using attic spray insulation:

Creates a good smoke and fire protection

The attic acts as an air exchange chamber, and if not well insulated it allows the flow of oxygen from the exterior. An attic insulated with spray foam seals all possible oxygen entrances in the attic. This slows down the chances of fire spreading in buildings.  The slowing down of fire spread buys a homeowner more time to make safety arrangements.

Cool down energy losses

Fiberglass may seem to provide a good insulation to the attic space but in actual sense, it does not allow complete air seal into the residing area. Considering the fact that the attic contributes to a significant amount of heat loss in buildings, any air leakage can lead to costly energy bills. Closed spray foam insulation provides solution for such problems by completely sealing the spaces and holes that may lead to this energy loss.

Noise reduction

Spray foam insulation acts as sound proof by sealing the cracks, holes and outlets in the attics. These outlets are the avenues where sound get through, into the building. By sealing these avenues using the spray foam insulation, one creates a serene and comfortable living environment. With attic spray foam insulation, it is possible to live close to noisy streets without the noise filtering its way into the building.

Shun pests and rodents from getting into the attic

Spaces in the attic may cause the rodents and pest to sneak in and cause atmospheric unpleasantness in the room. Rodents produce filthy smell form their excrements or may even die and results to odors in the building. Spray foam insulation seals any rodent’s entrances, creating a pest free attic.

Avoid mold growth and lowers moisture

Gaps and cracks increases the levels of humidity in the attic. This is a major problem when it comes to attic space and results to mould growth that lowers the life span of the timber. Spray foam insulation seals all sorts of such cracks and prevents mould growth which increases the life period of the attic timber and the building in general

Tax and financial benefits

Spray foam insulation may seem to be expensive during purchase but its performance makes it worth every cent. Its effectiveness in insulating the attic and the building creates long-term effects that save homeowners maintenance and replacement costs. Since spray foam insulation saves a great deal in environment conservation, the government relives its sale and manufacture from tax. This benefit goes down to the consumer who enjoys federal tax deductions as the attic spray qualifies for it.

How to Insulate the Loft by Attic Spray Foam Insulation

Homeowners with houses having attics that are not insulated do experience room temperature irregularities. This irregularity is because of energy loss through the attic, which is actually, the major problem that leads to over 40 % energy loss in buildings. The best way out of this is to ensure that attics are insulated. A good insulation choice is required to perfectly cut the energy loss and yield the desired results. In this case, the best insulation for will be the spray foam insulation.

Types of Spay Foam Insulation

There are two types of spray foam insulation, which are, the closed cell, and the open cell insulation. The suitable spray foam for the attic is usually the closed cell insulation.  The open cell can also be used but it does not yield bets results when compared with the closed cell. Spray foam insulation can be used to seal cracks, crannies and nooks in the attic and make them air and water tight, which normal fiberglass, and open cell spray foam cannot. There are two major options available for attic insulation. A homeowner can decide to buy a do it yourself kit or call a profession to help insulating the attic.

Spray foam insulation is normally contained in various aerosol containers in liquid form. When sprayed on a surface, it spreads, hardens and expands many times its size, upon coming into contact with the surface. The advantage of spray foam insulation is that it can easily get into small cracks where normal fiberglass cannot get into.

Determine the Amount of Attic Spray Foam Insulation Requirement and the Recommended R-value

The first step is to determine the amount of attic spray foam insulation required, and the recommended R-value in the region. The owner will determine the amount of insulation required by first checking the amount of insulation that he or she already have. The homeowner will also be required to find out the R-value of the region he or she is living to know what type of insulation will be needed.

After that, the homeowner will be able to decide the best can of the insulation and pressure sprayer to buy. The insulation is then sprayed in cracks and crevices directly, and it stays there for a considerably long time. The advantage of using the spray foam to insulate the attic is that one will not be strictly required to have the protective gear to avoid skin itching, like in the case of using fiberglass. However, protective mask are advised during installation to keep off the aerosol spray chemicals.

When installing the spray foam insulation in the attic, one may consider various helpful tips for better results. Factors such as the climate of the place, the budget and the how the house is designed should be taken into consideration. For proper moisture control, wind baffles should be installed at the draft entrance to control the airflow into the attic. Proper ventilation helps to cool off summer energy costs. However, if the attic insulation is at the underside it is advisable not to include ventilation. Homeowners should seek professional advice during a do it yourself installation or hire a qualified technician. These will enable yielding of desired results with attic spray foam insulation.

Attic Foam Insulation: Do it Yourself Kit

There are various methods and choices out in the market to insulate a building attic but the best one is the spray foam insulation. Other options may yield good results for other rooms and spaces, but spray foam insulation is worth every cent when used to insulate the attic. Spray foam insulation is available in many choices and home owners who have bits of technical skills in working with spray foam insulation, can acquire  a do it yourself spray foam kit. A do it yourself spray foam kit is easy to use which comes in two major formulas.

Do it yourself kits can be either in high-pressure aerosol can, or low pressure one. The best kit for attic spray foam insulation is the low-pressure sprayer. Even low pressured do it yourself spray foam can be tricky at times and is left to the professionals. Each kit comes with protective wear, eye protective gear, long pant, sleeves, and a respirator. The instructions may have slight differences according to the manufacturer. Before any proceeding with the DIY spray foam insulation project, it is best to ensure that the manual is read and well understood

Check and  Examine House Skin

The first step is to check and examine the envelope of the house, also known as the house skin. These are points where the cold and heat meet. These are places where the sunrays or day light filter through and one can feel draft from the outside to the attic. These points of the attic should be noted down to know where to concentrate on while spraying. The next step is to remove any kind of junk or debris that may be present in the attic. Thorough cleaning may not be necessary but any debris that may interfere with the insulating interaction with the attic temperatures and the entire room should be removed.

Always Keep Proper Ventilation

Ensure that there are no naked flames present and keep proper ventilation by fanning or open the windows when spraying. Shake well the container before use for a minute, to enable proper content mixture. Assemble the sprayer by attaching the nozzle and the straw on top of the can. Spray the noted and identified areas in the attic where air leaks and wait for 10 to 15 minutes for the insulation layer to dry. A little of water can be sprayed on top of the insulation before further insulation layers are added. For better results, it is advisable to seal any bead that surrounds the trap door of the attic, the eaves and HVAC vents.

Spray foam insulation can be either closed cell or even open cell. The closed cell consists of densely close insulation cells, offers high R-value of over six and tends to be more rigid. It acts as a good barrier for water and air making it the best option for attic insulation. The open cell usually has an R-value of 3.9 and offers little or no resistance to water and vapor. The open cell insulation resembles sponge and it is best recommended for interior walls.

Insulating the sky parlor: Attic spray foam insulation

Sky parlor, attic, garret or the loft, are the names given to the space located just below the roof of a pitched house. The common name for this place is attic and in some houses, it is usually used as a bedroom, home office or even command station. In most cases, the attic is typically out of reach and people prefer it as a long time storage space. The attics are responsible for regulation of temperatures in a building. Architects and interior designers recommend for insulated attics to avoid a significant amount of energy loss from a building.

What is the best method to insulate the attic

The best method to insulate the attic is by using the spray foam insulation that is a substitute of the fiberglass. Spray foam insulation consists of a polyol resin and an isocynate component mixture that has a similar working as the fiberglass insulation, but it is made more effective for heat regulation in the attics. Spray foam insulation helps to keep homes at the desired temperatures without the attic temperatures interfering with them. This way, the temperatures in a room will be cooler during the summer and warmer in winter. When the attic is insulated using the spray foam insulation, AC appliances will be able to regulate the room temperature without the attic temperature altering their operations.

The first operation during the attic spray foam is to clear any kind of obstruction of thermal insulation between the attic and the occupied space. This is done to ensure that the attic is airtight before applying the spray foam. There are instances where homeowners use the do it yourself spray foam kit to insulate their attics. Though this is a relatively less expensive method, it can turn out to be very costly when applied inappropriately by an untrained contractor. This will yield poor results, and can cost more than hiring a qualified technician. Therefore, a homeowner should know exactly what he or she is doing before deciding to insulate the attic using the spray foam all by himself.

What is the advantage of using the spray foam insulation

The advantage of using the spray foam insulation in the attic is that it seals the roof deck completely and prevents it from rodents and pests, which might sneak to the attic. Presence of rodents in the attic may produce unpleasant odors from their excrement or even filthy smell when they die in there. The best spray foam for the attic is the closed cell spray foam that seals the moisture and warm air into the surfaces, which is the main cause of energy loss in an uninsulated attic. The spray foam is suitable for attic since this type of insulation is highly flammable and the attic can be considered less prone to naked flames than the residing area.

Spray foam insulation works perfectly with a HVAC duct temperature regulating system. The best way to achieve this is to turn the attic into a conditioned energy saving space. In this case, any heat that the HVAC generate is usually retained in that space avoiding energy loss. It is also advisable that the attic should be left free from storing items since they disrupt the efficiency by causing air leak into the room.

Visit http://www.idi-insulation.com/ for all your insulation information. The Right Way To Insulate Attics and Cathedral Ceilings with Batts, using Certain Teed fiberglass insulation. This video covers how ceilings and attics require higher R values because of the range of temperatures they are exposed to and a description of the Batts and their instillation

Do you remember those good old days when pink panther was the only available and most celebrated product for home insulation? As you can notice, those days are now somewhere in the past. Things have radically changed because today building scientists, contractors and homeowners are more obsessed with foam insulation.

Apparently, this new insulation is quite popular and is manufactured in various forms. For now we shall look at the differences between the rigid and spray foam more specifically comparing the closed cell spray which needs a mixture of 2 components at the nozzle of application and the rigid foam_ insulation boards which are made in various thicknesses.
Owing to their mutual significance in boosting home energy performance it can sometimes prove very challenging to make a decision on whether the rigid or spray foam is more suitable for a attic insulation.
For money home owners, insulation is deemed as the most cost effective and practical way to make houses energy efficient. Green Energy Solutions are expets  in insulation and he will guide you through your entire house’ insulation requirements, what to insulate and all the safety precautions to take with insulation. To save energy and get value for your money, call or email today, for a free inspection of your home’s insulation and get a free estimate for your insulation upgrades.

For a comparison of these insulators, listed below are the PROS and CONS of both options:

The PROS for the Two-component spray foam

• It is dual purpose as it provides both insulation and air sealing. The foam expands filling gaps and cracks
• Depending on the insulation, it has a higher R-value per inch
• It takes less time to install
•  Once cured, it stays in place without shifting or falling out of place

The CONS for the Two-component spray foam

• It is messy as the overspray can deposit foam in areas that will require cleaning.
• It is a must to wear respirators and protective clothing during installation
• It is sensitive to temperature as cold temperatures can tamper with curing or foaming action

PROS for using Rigid foam insulation

• It is less complex and easy to work with
• Safer as no respirators or protective clothing is required
• Provides both insulation and air sealing for seams between sealed with tape
• Compared to the spray foam it is less messy
• Different thicknesses are available to best suit specific R-value requirements and the type of application
• it is easier to cut and install panels at different temperatures
• There are no harmful during installation hence safer to handle
• It is best suited for insulating crawl space and basement walls
• Rigid foam panels like SilverGlo provide for a radiant barrier for additional energy saving
• It is a rigid foam installation requiring no modifications

The CONS for Rigid foam installation

• It has different R-values based on the type of Rigid foam ranging from a low of R – 3.8 per inch to a high of R- 8 per inch
• Some application of the Rigid foam take longer time during the installation than the spray foam
• It might require the application of a single component of the spray foam around the edges of the rigid foam to hold them in place

For those who are planning to have their workplace or home insulated, the first thing they need to consider are the plus and minuses of foam insulation against those styrofoam insulation. To begin with, insulation in the walls and ceiling is vital. It keeps the cool and warm air in, which generally depends on how the inside temperature differs from the general temperature outside. Having a thorough assessment of the insulation options available prior to starting your project would give you a peace of mind. You’ll feel certain that you made the right choice when it comes to insulating your place.

 Foam Insulation Board

This type of insulation is normally produced by combining isocyanate and polyether together that form a compound known as “closed cell.” These compounds are almost similar with polyurethane, especially in terms of physical appearance and chemical makeup. However, it has the added quirk of a more developed insulation properties. PIR (Polyisocyanurate insulation) is both fire and smoke resistant. It’s also capable of maintaining functionality even with the temperature that is on a higher range, unlike standard styrofoam insulation. Likewise, the general installation of PIR usually higher, mainly because it doesn’t need any kind of protection, such as thermal moisture before the installation and it’s widely available in various forms, such as rigid foam board that’s very identical to styrofoam boar and the other variation is liquid spray.

Styrofoam Insulation

Recently, the styrofoam insulation, that usually comes in blue panels that are distinctively large, have been a popular form of insulation that’s being used for insulating building. There are different thicknesses that could range from 3 inches to 3/4 inches. Also, since styrofoam insulation has a tendency to deteriorate when in constant exposure to moisture. Therefore, it must be incorporated prior to installation. Aside from that, styrofoam panels are usually placed next to each, often having gaps in insulation because it’s more vulnerable to air seepage unlike spray polyisocyanurate. Nonetheless, the most notable advantage of a traditional insulation is that, it’s very easy to use and could be easily sliced with the use of a knife.

Relative R-Values

When it comes to measuring the potential of various types of insulation, the “R-Value” is used. Wherein, the higher it is implies the greater ability to avoid heat transfer. Generally, the R-Values for various types of insulation could range between R-3 as the lowest and R-15 as the highest, and this would usually depend on several things. After installation, the polyisocyanurate insulation would usually have a resistant to heat flow value of R-9. However, as the insulation begins to settle and air pockets start to form (usually 2 years after installation), it would settle around R-8 and thus, it’ll be its permanent R-Value.

Lastly, the R-values styrofoam insulation greatly differs depending on various variables. For instance, a 3/4 inch styrofoam insulation would usually generate a value of R-3.8. On the other hand, a 3-inch thick styrofoam would have an R-Value of R-15. Keep in mind, though, the spaces in styrofoam insulation would often lessen the efficiency of it. It allows the air to seep through the gaps in the panels.

http://www.EnviroGreenInsulation.com/ Jeff Haag with New Orleans based EnviroGreen Spray Foam Insulation talks about the difference between open cell and closed cell foam insulation and when to use each.