Head to https://squarespace.com/belindacarr to save 10% off your first
purchase of a website or domain using code BELINDACARR

Link to my Patreon page:   / belinda_carr  

In my last video, we discussed the differences between open and closed cell polyurethane spray foam. Their chemical compositions, physical properties and performance. Today, we’re going to cover the pros and cons of both types of spray foam. I’m going to incorporate your feedback and answer your questions from the previous video.

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:35 R Value
1:05 Air Sealing
1:39 Energy Savings
1:58 Closed Cell Foam
2:28 Lifespan
2:51 Evolution
4:03 Cost
4:39 Sound Insulation
5:46 R value
6:14 Permanence
6:42 Environment
7:13 Fire resistance
7:27 Building System
8:39 Preparation
10:12 Conclusion

Let’s start with the advantages of spray foam.
R VALUE R value is the measure of resistance to the flow of heat. Open cell foam has a good R value of 3.5 per inch, but closed cell foam has an excellent R value of 6 per inch.

AIR SEALING 1 to 1.5 inches of closed cell foam can act as an air barrier while 3 to 3.5 inches of open cell spray foam acts as an air barrier.

ENERGY SAVINGS It is estimated to reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 40%.

CLOSED CELL FOAM Closed cell foam is good in areas prone to severe weather like flooding, storm surges and high winds

EVOLUTION The spray foam industry is constantly evolving because it is under unrelenting scrutiny.

Now the disadvantages of spray foam.
COST Spray foam has a high upfront cost, around 3 times more than traditional fiberglass insulation. A rough estimate is 50 cents to 1 dollar per board foot of open cell spray foam and $1.5 to $3 for closed cell foam.

SOUND The hardened foam also binds layers together which couples the wall elements. This can increase sound transfer.

R VALUE Since the R value test is biased towards fibrous insulation, the spray foam may not meet the minimum code requirements.

THERMAL BRIDGING If you don’t use a layer of continuous insulation on the outside of a building, and only spray foam in between studs, those will act as a thermal bridge and reduce the overall performance of the wall assembly.

PERMANENCE Spray foam adheres to the substrate it is sprayed on and cannot be scraped off easily. Any renovations to the building’s structure in the future are going to be very difficult.

ENVIRONMENT Polyurethane spray foam is a longterm use plastic that plays a vital role in the decarbonization of homes.

FIRE Neither open cell nor closed cell spray foam are fire resistant. However, they do have some flame retardant chemicals.

BUILDING SYSTEM Spray foam needs an ERV or energy recovery ventilation system, a freshair ventilation system or a dehumidifier to draw clean, fresh air into a home and remove stale air.

HEALTH PPE or personal protective equipment is vital when using spray foam. Exposure to spray foam before complete curing can lead to asthma, sensitization, lung damage, breathing problems, skin & eye irritation.

PREPARATION If spray foam is undersprayed, it pulls away from sides, allows air infiltration and reduces R value. Overspraying can lead to messy floors and damaged studs.

RATIO An excess of Part A isocyanates will result in a glassy cell structure, brittleness or friability. It will easily break into smaller pieces. An excess of Part B resin will result in soft and spongy foam with a lower density than the manufacturer's specifications.

But the one thing that terrifies me about spray foam is that it is not a DIY friendly product, despite what novices on YouTubers tell you. It is very messy and requires a lot of experience to get it right. Mixing the chemicals is an exact science with a small margin of error. Spray foam experts are trained for weeks on the proper methods of spraying. I’m worried about spray foam deteriorating or offgassing behind a wall without you knowing. I was on the fence about spray foam’s future in the construction industry until I visited Ambit’s lab here in Dallas and spoke to the chemists. I have a whole new respect for the product.

SOURCES:
https://bettersoundproofing.com/does...
https://premiersprayfoamco.com/exampl...

Fluffy by Smith The Mister https://smiththemister.bandcamp.com
Smith The Mister https://bit.ly/SmithTheMisterYT
Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/stmfluffy
Music promoted by Audio Library    • Fluffy – Smith The Mister (No Copyrig...  

Disclaimer: This video was created for educational/informational purposes and qualifies as Fair Use. If you are the creator or own the footage featured in this video and have reservations please notify me via Youtube comments or email and I will accommodate you
#sprayfoam #insulation #proscons #fiberglass #rockwool #diy #diyremodel #flippedhouse #buildingscience #stem