When Should You Use Spray Foam Attic Insulation?
Spray foam attic insulation has tremendously increased in popularity offering a good alternative to pink fiberglass. It has many benefits and is especially popular in the Midwest. Spray attic insulation is usually made of polyurethane foam, about which you must know that it has been in use for a long time in water heaters or refrigerators.
So what’s the process? Through some pressurized spray nozzles, the polyurethane in its liquid form is being pumped. However, by the time it lands on your attic floor, attic walls or whatever you are insulating, it expands and forms a very good insulating barrier.
So what are the most important benefits of foam insulation? First of all, it is able to go where nothing else can go. This means tiny cracks or places holes you might not even notice. Standard fiberglass or cellulose can not accomplish this feat. Spray insulation will completely eliminate energy waste, in ways in which no other type of insulation is able to.
Also, the R-value of the polyurethane is higher than the R-values of other insulation products, at a given thickness. The higher R-value per inch makes it possible for homeowners to use 2×4 construction on exterior walls. With the other types of insulation, you must use the the 2×6 studs. This, in turn, makes you save money when framing. Another advantage of the foam insulation is the fact that it controls moisture condensation, and it is also fire resistant and insect resistant.
The only major drawback of spray foam insulation is the fact that it is not a diy project. You must absolutely call a professional to do the job for you. If you can get over that, you are left with a superb insulation product that will deliver excellent results.
The cost of installing spray foam insulation is 3 times greater than that of installing insulation using traditional materials. However, you will be able to pay back its installation costs on energy saving in less than 5 years.