Open cell spray foam & Closed cell spray foam

Spray foam insulation is a popular insulation that home owners and businessmen are now opting for. Building owners too are looking at installing spray foam insulation to fortify their building and give the residents better facilities. However, it is important that you know which spray foam product is the best as per your needs. You can choose from .05 lb. /cu. ft., open cell foam or 2.0 lb. /cu. ft. closed cell foam. These have a big difference in their performance, application process and cost.

Open cell spray foam & close cell spray foam are the two varieties you encounter while deciding to install the insulation in your structure. Before you decide on any of them there is a main factor that you need to consider – Physical makeup of the foam.

Open cell foam forms a structure where small cells of the foam are not completely closed. They remain open and air fills in the tiny air pockets of the material. As the cells are not closely bound but have air gaps in between, this makes the structure weak and less water resistant as compared to closed cell foam.

Closed cell spray foam is also made of small cells like open cell spray foam, however the tiny cells are kept closed and packed together. The cells are not filled in with air but with gas that makes the foam rise and expand. Thus the foam is extremely dense and completely waterproof too.

To measure the density of the spray foam you need to weigh one cured cubic foot of foam material. Mostly open cell foams weigh around 0.4 to 0.5 lb. /cu. ft. On the other hand, closed cell foam has a density of 1.7 lb. /cu. ft. to 2.0 lb. /cu. ft. Spray foams used for roofing applications mostly are of greater density to support greater loads. The better the density the stronger will be the foam. Many home owners turn spray foams to decorative moldings or paint and stain them to give a wood like look. The foam used in such cases is of greater density like 30 lb. /cu. ft. to 40 lb. /cu. ft. Open cell spray foam has an R-value of 3.5 per inch and it uses water as a blowing agent. Closed-cell Spray Foams Insulation on an average has an R-value of around 7.0 per inch and needs high R-value blowing agents.

Closed cell foam has many advantages. Closed cell foam provides higher structural integrity that supports the foundation and gives complete sealing. It has higher R-value that is the best proof of its insulation ability. The R-Value that closed cell foam provides helps in reducing air leaks and prevents water/ moisture infiltration. Since closed cell foam provides better insulation, its installation gives better energy saving as well.

While deciding the spray you want to use you need to look at your requirements like the load capabilities, vapor/water infiltration resistance, space limitations, etc. This will help you make a better choice of the material you want to apply.

The cost you incur in installing spray foam insulation is more than the other insulation in the market as the material needs to be applied by professionals for best results. The market has many service providers to help you install spray foam insulation to achieve better savings and better living. EcoStarFoam.com is a leading service provider for spray foam insulation. Our team of professionals use a durable product called Star Spray Foam to cover every cavity in your house and make your home energy efficient. Our service is well known in New Orleans, Louisiana and surrounding area.