How much does Spray Foam Insulation cost compared to traditional insulation?
Spray foam is about 2-1/2 times the cost of traditional fiberglass and about twice the amount of cellulose. The up front cost of Spray Foam insulation is offset by the reduced cost of your heating and cooling bills. The payback in energy savings, that Spray Foam provides, can be realized in 3-4 years in an average Chicago, IL home. Can you think of anything that can be installed in your home that can pay for itself in 3-4 years?
While traditional insulation has a cheap upfront cost it does not provide the comfort and long term savings that Spray Foam is renowned for.
When planning new construction, Spray Foam Insulation and a properly sized HVAC system can save a home owner up to 60% on heating and cooling cost in Chicago, IL.
How long does Spray Foam Insulation last versus traditional insulation?
Unlike fiberglass and cellulose (traditional insulation) Spray Foam does not deteriorate over time. This is because Spray Foam stops air movement. Traditional insulation acts as an air filter, trapping dust and particulates. This causes the insulation to lose R-Value.
Spray Foam insulation will last as long as the building it is installed in without needing to be upgraded or replaced like traditional insulation.
What is the R-Value?
R value is the measurement of heat movement through a material. Although the R value of foam, cellulose and fiberglass are relatively the same at the same thickness, they perform quite differently. By stopping air movement, spray foam eliminates heat loss and heat gain. Foam is air impermeable. Fiberglass and cellulose are air permeable.
R value is only responsible for about 35% of your insulations performance. The balance percentage of performance is made up in how well your insulation resists air movement and how well it reflects or absorbs radiant heat and this is where foam outperforms the conventional insulations.
Contrary to what we have learned over the years from the fiberglass industry R-Value is not the bench mark we should be striving for. Conduction, convection and radiation are the enemy’s of our heating and cooling systems. Open Cell Spray Foam and Closed Cell Spray Foam effectively stop all these enemies.
To learn more about R-Value go to buildingscience.com and see the article on fiberglass batts – labeled vs. installed performance or look up “R” Fairy Tale The myth of insulation values on your computers search engine.
How long does it take to install and cure spray foam in the Chicago, IL area?
Installation times vary depending on the scope of work. Most remodels, additions, attics, basements and crawl spaces can be insulated in as little as two hours to one day. Spray Foam expands in seconds and cures 90% within minutes.
Is Spray Foam Insulation Safe?
Yes. Our products are Greenguard citified. Greenguard certified means that it is safe for children and schools.
During the installation process is the only time you should not be in the area being insulated.
Does spray foam insulation qualify for the tax credit?
Yes spray foam isolation qualifies for tax credits. These credits vary from municipality to municipality, and federally from year to year. Please contact your tax professional to take advantage of the full credits in your area.
How much insulation do I need for my Chicago, IL home?
This varies with the areas being insulated. Insulation should achieve the highest efficiency, save money and make a home comfortable year round in Chicago, IL. A free evaluation from RevFoam will ensure the proper type and amount of insulation is installed.
How much energy savings can be gained by properly insulating my home?
The savings and benefits are directly related to how air tight your home is. 60% of heating and cooling loss is due to air movement entering and escaping your home. Depending on how much of your Chicago home can be retrofitted the savings can be anywhere from 5% to 60%.
Can I install spray foam myself?
There are some manufacturers of DIY kits. However, like most kits the projects just don’t seem to turn out like the cool video on the web site. The DIY kits also end up costing as much or even more than having a professional installer do the job. A professional installation will be quicker and will include all necessary trimming and clean up.
Can I be in the house while the installation occurs?
It is not recommended. Spray Foam Insulation is an environmentally safe product. However, while in the immediate application area proper protective equipment should be worn. After the application is complete it is immediately safe to return to normal.
What is the difference between open cell and closed cell foam?
There are two general categories of SPF insulation materials; open-cell, low-density (a.k.a. ‘half- pound foam’) and closed-cell, medium-density (a.k.a. ‘two-pound foam’). Both foam categories provide excellent insulation and air sealing. Although both are made using almost identical chemical reactions, there are some inherent physical property differences that often determine which product is chosen for a particular project.
Open-cell spray foam (ocSPF) has an open cell structure where the cells are filled with air. The open- cell structure renders soft, flexible foam, with a density of about 0.5-0.8 pounds per cubic foot (pcf). Still air is the primary insulation medium in ocSPF. Insulations work by reducing the natural air movement within the material thereby reducing the ability of the material to conduct heat. The R-value per inch of open-cell foam typically ranges from R3.6 to R4.5 per inch. Unlike fiberglass and cellulose, the fine cell structure of ocSPF makes it air-impermeable at certain thicknesses. The air-impermeability of ocSPF qualifies it as an air-barrier material, dramatically reducing air leakage through the building envelope, significantly lowering the building’s heating and cooling costs. ocSPF, like fiberglass and cellulose insulations, is moisture-permeable, and may require the installation of a vapor retarder in colder climates. .
Closed-cell spray foam (ccSPF) has a closed cell structure which yields a rigid, hard foam, with a density of 1.8-2.3 pound per cubic foot (pcf), and has been demonstrated to provide structural enhancement in certain framed buildings. These smaller cells trap an insulating gas, called a blowing agent. This blowing agent has a lower thermal conductivity than still air, and increases the R-value. Typical R-value per inch of closed-cell foam ranges from R5.8 to R6.9* per inch, making it a great choice in applications where clearance is limited. Like ocSPF, ccSPF is also air impermeable at certain thicknesses and and can qualify as an air-barrier material. The closed-cell structure of ccSPF makes it water-resistant, and is the only spray foam that can be used where contact with water is likely (e.g., below-grade concrete walls, in contact with the ground, or on exterior side of the building envelope). At a thickness of 1.5 inches, ccSPF has a moisture permeance typically less than1.0 perms and no additional vapor retarder is required for most applications.
