Expanding Foam Insulation
Expanding Foam Insulation
There are several different types of insulation to be considered when choosing which is the best for you to insulate your home, and one of the best is expanding foam insulation. Also called spray applied polyurethane foam, this kind of insulation works by being sprayed into walls and then expanding to cover more area. This is quite effective due to the fact that the foam has a very low density which keeps heat and sound from passing through it as freely as it would air.
Expanding foam insulation is applied after the blocks that make up the walls have holes drilled into the center of them. The spray foam is injected into the holes of the blocks that make up the walls and the foam expands as it fills the blocks to insulation the wall. The foam then expands and fills the holes in the blocks. As this happens, the foam fills in all gaps because of the pressure caused by the spraying of the foam. Mortar is eventually used to patch these holes, ensuring that they are properly sealed.
There are numerous benefits to expanding foam as an insulation type. Chief among these benefits is its ease of use. This ease comes from the fact that you don't have to cut, measure or glue anything. It's as simple as spraying it into the area and then letting it do its thing.
In fact, the do-it-yourself quotient is probably higher with foam than any other kind of insulation. Whereas installing other kinds sometimes seems a bit tricky to the layman, installing foam is a breeze. You can literally learn how to do it in five minutes' time.
Another benefit to expanding foam is that after it's sprayed into the intended area, it sticks to anything. No matter whether it's concrete, wood, brick, metal or some other surface, the expanding foam will adhere to it. There is no other insulation type that adheres like foam does. This is important because if the insulation is allowed to blow all over the place, it often won't stay in the areas where it needs to be to retain the heat or cold air. This makes the foam effective in the attic; foam attic insulation will adhere to walls and items in the attic until it does its job.
Expanding foam is also quite durable--another of its many advantages. It outlasts other kinds of insulation, and it repels insects and rodents. This durability also means it won't deteriorate or break down in extreme weather. It resists temperature changes and rain and snow. In fact, the foam is completely moisture resistant, making it less susceptible to problems like mildew and mold.
Expanding foam installation, like rigid foam installation, is also friendly to the environment. There is no lasting negative effect to the Earth when it deteriorates. And of course, the fact that it helps save energy makes it also good for the environment.
Is expanding foam insulation worth the cost? Most people think so. It very quickly pays for itself through the money it saves you on your energy costs. This along with its ease of use makes it highly recommended.
