Lately, more and more people are opting for foam for home and building construction mainly because of the long-term benefits it offers. Today, there are two main types of foam to choose from: open cell insulation and closed cell insulation. But because have their own advantages and disadvantages, it is essential  to first learn about what these services are and which one is best for you.

Both types are use the same materials and work in the same manner. They trap air or gas in a plastic matrix to create a foam wall for insulation. The differences between the two types start with the blowing agents used with the foam.

Blowing Agent
With open cell insulation, the blowing agent used to achieve reaction is water. This will react with the air inside to create CO2. The air bubbles created expand the material until it sets. The same reaction is made with closed cell insulation. However, it uses HFCs as a blowing agent. So basically the open cell is the greener option between the two.

Weight
Because CO2 expands quickly, the bubbles formed usually burst before the plastic actually sets hence the term “open cell”. The result is a lightweight and spongy foam substance that weighs is 0.5 pounds per cubic foot. The closed cell foam, however, is heavier than its counterpart weighing in at 1.7 to 2 pounds per cubic inch. It uses a chemical blowing agent that turns from liquid to gas. The bubble doesn’t burst before the plastic settles hence a denser product.

R-Value
The R-Value of a material basically refers to its ability to reflect heat. Higher R-Value means better insulation. In this area, closed cell beats out open cell insulation. Although the latter has an R-Value of 3.6 which is the same with most materials, closed cell insulation boasts of 6 per inch.

That being said, open cell foam is a better choice for hot or humid areas for roof insulation. However, when it comes to overall performance in insulation, the closed cell is a better choice especially for walls and flooring.

Cost
Because it uses more materials, closed cell insulation is 20-30% more expensive for the same thickness than open cell foam.

Overall Comparison
When it comes to advantages, closed cell insulation is better at R-Value, overall strength of the material, and resistance to air and water vapour leakage. However, it is denser and more expensive. Open cell on the other hand is a lighter material to work with and performs well in hot and humid areas. Also, it is worth noting that open cell produces a bit more jobsite waste compared to closed cell.

In cases wherein thickness and R-Value is important, then the insulation of choice should be closed cell foam.On the other hand, if these characteristics are not the main consideration, then the open cell foam is the better choice considering that it is a lot cheaper.

Overall, it is difficult to say which foam is better. There are situations wherein closed cell insulation is the better choice while open cell insulation is also great at certain circumstances.  To learn more, call (504) 383-3261 or talk to an expert at EcoStarfoam.com.

Closed Cell Insulation – Perfect for Problem Areas

There are many areas in your home that may be difficult to effectively insulate, tight spaces with little clearance is one such, as are areas that are typically very damp. Closed cell foam insulation is a much better insulation/barrier making it ideal for problem areas such as these. Because it is denser and has a much higher R-Value it makes closed cell insulation ideal for both situations. You need a much thinner layer of closed cell foam insulation than with open cell or other types of insulation, meaning you can fit it into tighter spaces than any of these other insulations can go.

Closed cell foam insulation provides an excellent moisture barrier as well, so that adding it to basements and crawspaces can eliminate the dampness that comes with these sorts of areas. This can also improve your heating efficiency as well as make your home into a more comfortable place to live. For more information about closed cell foam insulation please visit us at Ecostar Foam.

Why Closed Cell Insulation Might be Better for your Home

Are energy bills getting out of control in your home? Are you not sure what else you can do to make your energy bills better? You may want to start with an energy audit but when you are done you will want to think about putting insulation in your home, one of the best ways to seal your home up good and make sure that it stays warmer and save you money is with closed cell insulation.

Closed cell insulation is a spray insulation where the tiny foam cells are closed and packed much closer together than open cell insulation. Closed cell insulation is therefore denser and has a higher R-value, meaning that it will keep your home warmer and do a better job of keeping the elements out. While not always appropriate, closed cell insulation provides the best R-value per inch of any insulation. If you would like to know more about closed cell insulation visit our website at Eco Star Foam, we offers both open and closed cell insulation and would be happy to help you decide which one is right for you.