Closed cell insulation foam is a spray solution that creates an airtight seal around cracks in walls, providing temperature regulation while strengthening structural support and creating a healthier indoor environment.
Moisture barriers provide another important benefit – they help prevent condensation and mold growth, making them the ideal way to achieve high R-Values in standard walls.
High R-Value
Closed-cell spray foam insulation boasts a higher R-Value than other insulation materials, providing a tight seal between studs and joists to stop air leakage, acting as a moisture barrier against moisture penetration, and helping prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Closed cell insulation can be installed both ceiling- or wall-mounted with E84 fire rated options available to protect against flames and smoke.
R-Value measures the resistance of materials to three forms of heat flow: radiation, conduction and convection. The higher its R-Value rating is, the better it resists all three types.
Closed-cell foam offers an R-Value of approximately 5.5 per inch. This value surpasses open-cell foam’s R-Value range of between 3.6 to 3.9. Closed-cell foam is frequently utilized in roofing and exterior wall applications due to its superior strength and insulation properties.
Moisture Resistant
Foams composed of closed cells are more resistant to moisture absorption and won’t absorb as much of it; this is essential as wet insulation will quickly lose its effectiveness as insulation.
Closed cell spray foam is also an excellent choice for outdoor environments as it will not deteriorate from moisture or other environmental conditions, and maintains its rigid structure far longer than open cell foam options.
Its convenience for wiring new circuits makes it more efficient to work with. Plus, open foam can easily become damaged from machinery or tools used during wiring tasks.
Closed cell foam boasts an exceptional R-Value and air barrier properties, making it perfect for residential construction projects and under roof trusses to create conditioned attics. Closed cell foam also serves as an ideal insulation choice in media rooms or other applications where robust insulating requirements arise. E84 fireproof versions of closed cell foam insulation are also available to meet regulatory compliance.
Fire Resistant
Closed-cell spray foam insulation boasts fire resistance thanks to its dense and solid nature; its tight seal prevents oxygen from entering, providing it with inherent fire-resistance qualities without needing separate fire barriers.
Closed-cell spray foam also has the added advantage of slowing the spread of flames, giving residents more time to evacuate the building safely. Similarly, its fire resistance properties mirror those found in firefighting foam which helps smother flames by cutting off oxygen supply to them and extinguish them altogether.
Closed-cell spray foam may be suitable for your home or building by consulting its specifications and guidelines from its manufacturer. These documents typically provide detailed information regarding temperature limits, melting points and thermal properties of their particular product. Closed-cell foam provides better heat insulation than open cells; thus making it suitable for protecting against extreme temperatures in your home environment; however prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause it to degrade over time, losing its insulating qualities over time.
Easy to Install
Selecting an effective insulation material requires understanding the differences between open and closed cell spray foam insulations. Closed-cell foam offers more dense insulating material and is more water resistant, helping prevent moisture build-up that could potentially promote bacteria or mold growth within walls.
Closed-cell foam insulation boasts an R-Value of up to R-6.5 for one inch of thickness, making it suitable for cold and warm climates alike.
Closed-cell foam may provide greater insulation against extreme weather temperatures, but its installation can be more challenging than open-cell spray foam. Closed-cell must be installed by experienced installers using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are less environmentally-friendly propellants. Curing closed-cell foam is thick and difficult to trim – an issue for homeowners trying to close gaps around electrical outlets and other features in their home – so open-cell spray foam may be better suited for hard to reach spaces within their home.