The insulation market is growing, and with this comes new varieties of insulation and, of course, questions about how to make smart decisions for your home and buildings.
Various claims about insulation's effectiveness are readily available, but it’s important to do your homework and ensure you get the right facts about the right insulation. After all, not all insulation is created equal.
Spray foam insulation, or Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF), has grown in popularity amongst builders and homeowners due to its seemingly efficient cost of entry. In actual fact, SPF costs nearly 4 times the installed rate for the same R-value as stone wool or mineral wool.1 Additionally, SPF requires a trained professional to install the product, obliges personal protective equipment, and requires up to 24 hours to fully cure, creating additional down time for the project.2
Whats the difference between SPF and fibrous insulations?
The Insulation Institute has prepared a helpful comparison between SPF and fibrous insulations to help explain the differences and potential risks of using Spray Polyurethane Foam insulation.
For more information about the Insulation Institute, please visit www.insulationinstitute.org
1. Air Infiltration of Wood-Framed Walls; NAHB 2009, p. 10
2: http://www.spraypolyurethane.org/Main-Menu-Category/Do-It-Yourself/Frequently-Asked-Questions
3: http://www.epa.gov/dfe/spf_presentation_2009_epa_osha_niosh_cpsc.pdf
6: http://www.masonknowles.com/docs/calculating_yield_in_sprayfoam.pdf