FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Does spray foam perform better than fiberglass?
A. Yes. Spray foam insulation's air sealing properties are the primary reason for its superiority over fiberglass. Fiberglass, no matter how well it is installed, does not provide an air barrier and allows air to move through it. This allows the two climates (inside, conditioned air and outside, unconditioned air) to combine and create potential condensation inside walls and building assemblies. See the study performed by Oak Ridge National Labratory regarding actual installed fiberglass R-values.
Q. Does spray foam insulation require a larger investment than fiberglass insulation?
A. Yes. The installed cost of spray foam insulation is somewhat higher than fiberglass; however, the higher initial cost is partially offset because of the sustainability of the insulation (it will not degrade over time like fiberglass and cellulose) and you may be able to downsize your heating and air conditioning equipment. Additionally, you will save in your heating and cooling bills. Studies suggest that homes insulated with spray foam use up to 40% less energy than homes insulated with conventional insulation. Your savings may be greater or less depending on your life style, appliances, house site, number and size of windows, etc. Customers are usually paid back the difference over a 3 to 5 year period through energy savings.
Q. What phase during new construction do you install spray foam insulation?
A. You would spray foam at the same time as traditional fiberglass insulation, after passing mechanical and framing inspections and before hanging sheet rock.
Q. Can spray foam insulation be installed in an existing home?
A. Yes, this is an excellent way to improve energy efficiency in your existing home.
Q. Is spray foam insulation a better sound absorber than fiberglass insulation?
A. Yes. Spray foam has more density than fiberglass and its physical properties attenuate sound more effectively.
Q. How long does spray foam insulation last?
A. Indefinitely. As an inert, long lasting polymer, any residential or commercial structure using spray foam insulation will retain its ability to reduce heat and cooling loss for years to come.
Q. Is spray foam insulation hazardous?
A. No. Spray foam is not toxic. Usually within 24-48 hours of application and with proper ventilation there are no hazardous fumes present in the building.
Q. Will spray foam insulation lead to indoor quality problems?
A. If you are sealing the entire building envelope we always recommend some form of fresh air ventilation. Most building design professionals will advise you to seal the building structure as tight as possible and provide the necessary ventilation through an air exchanger attached to your heating and air conditioning system. In the winter, this simple machine brings cold fresh air from the outside and passes it by the warm stale air being expelled. This allows the fresh air to pick up the heat from the stale air, maintaining energy efficiency while providing a continuous supply of fresh air. In the summer, the opposite occurs giving the same results. In this manner, you can build an extremely energy efficient exterior shell using spray foam insulation while still providing controlled and energy efficient ventilation. If you are retrofitting parts of your home, such as the attic, crawlspace, or basement walls, you will probably not need to worry about your house being sealed too tightly as air enters the building envelope every time we open the door as well as through windows and locations within the home that typically are not reachable because of drywall, etc.
If you have additional questions, please contact us.
A. Yes. Spray foam insulation's air sealing properties are the primary reason for its superiority over fiberglass. Fiberglass, no matter how well it is installed, does not provide an air barrier and allows air to move through it. This allows the two climates (inside, conditioned air and outside, unconditioned air) to combine and create potential condensation inside walls and building assemblies. See the study performed by Oak Ridge National Labratory regarding actual installed fiberglass R-values.
Q. Does spray foam insulation require a larger investment than fiberglass insulation?
A. Yes. The installed cost of spray foam insulation is somewhat higher than fiberglass; however, the higher initial cost is partially offset because of the sustainability of the insulation (it will not degrade over time like fiberglass and cellulose) and you may be able to downsize your heating and air conditioning equipment. Additionally, you will save in your heating and cooling bills. Studies suggest that homes insulated with spray foam use up to 40% less energy than homes insulated with conventional insulation. Your savings may be greater or less depending on your life style, appliances, house site, number and size of windows, etc. Customers are usually paid back the difference over a 3 to 5 year period through energy savings.
Q. What phase during new construction do you install spray foam insulation?
A. You would spray foam at the same time as traditional fiberglass insulation, after passing mechanical and framing inspections and before hanging sheet rock.
Q. Can spray foam insulation be installed in an existing home?
A. Yes, this is an excellent way to improve energy efficiency in your existing home.
Q. Is spray foam insulation a better sound absorber than fiberglass insulation?
A. Yes. Spray foam has more density than fiberglass and its physical properties attenuate sound more effectively.
Q. How long does spray foam insulation last?
A. Indefinitely. As an inert, long lasting polymer, any residential or commercial structure using spray foam insulation will retain its ability to reduce heat and cooling loss for years to come.
Q. Is spray foam insulation hazardous?
A. No. Spray foam is not toxic. Usually within 24-48 hours of application and with proper ventilation there are no hazardous fumes present in the building.
Q. Will spray foam insulation lead to indoor quality problems?
A. If you are sealing the entire building envelope we always recommend some form of fresh air ventilation. Most building design professionals will advise you to seal the building structure as tight as possible and provide the necessary ventilation through an air exchanger attached to your heating and air conditioning system. In the winter, this simple machine brings cold fresh air from the outside and passes it by the warm stale air being expelled. This allows the fresh air to pick up the heat from the stale air, maintaining energy efficiency while providing a continuous supply of fresh air. In the summer, the opposite occurs giving the same results. In this manner, you can build an extremely energy efficient exterior shell using spray foam insulation while still providing controlled and energy efficient ventilation. If you are retrofitting parts of your home, such as the attic, crawlspace, or basement walls, you will probably not need to worry about your house being sealed too tightly as air enters the building envelope every time we open the door as well as through windows and locations within the home that typically are not reachable because of drywall, etc.
If you have additional questions, please contact us.