Yes it is true!! Spray foam is a means to cut down on how many solar panels that would be needed to have a net zero electric bill. You still have to pay for spray foam as an offset to reduce the amount of solar panels, but it is a great way to upgrade and get rid of the old insulation which may be full of allergens, mold and rodent droppings. Regular home insulation is good for 15-20 years. Imagine how many homes in Florida have ineffective insulation!! Changing to spray foam will help eliminate allergens and balance heating and cooling in all rooms and extend the life of your a/c unit. It is also a means to stay out of Tier II sizing. Tier II is a term used by the insurance companies for larger solar systems that boost home insurance into a larger size policy. Solar Installation companies don't really want you to know this because it means a lower sales price for them. Another good point is your insurance company will most likely give you a discount for the spray foam insulation because it helps seals the envelope of the roof and is likely to aid your roof during a wind storm.
Can you spray foam over existing insulation? NO!! Removing the old insulation is a must first. Why? Spray foam does not adhere well to fiberglass insulation. Combing insulation reduces the effectiveness of both materials. Resistance to heat transfer is negatively affected. Mold can form due to weaker moisture resistance.
Icynene spray foam is a widely used spray foam. Icynene warranties its spray foam insulation for the life of the building and is transferable from owner to owner. Depending on the type of spray foam used, (closed-cell, or open-cell) the foam expands 40-100 times its original size to fill every corner of your building’s envelope to provide thermal insulation and effective air sealing. Traditional insulation doesn’t fill in the spaces and gaps and can leak warm air into your home, and your cool air out.
Open-cell spray foam
Best suited for interior applications. Open-cell spray foam benefits include:
1. Can be installed at a lower cost with the same specified R-value
2. Not a food source for mold
3. Provides sound dampening qualities. Great for media to theater rooms!
4. Lower installation cost per square foot
Closed-cell insulation foam
Closed-cell spray insulation foam has a higher per board foot cost, but has numerous benefits:
1. Rejects bulk water (recognized as a flood-resistant material by FEMA)
2. Adds wall strength and is impact resistant
3. Higher tensile and bond strength
4. Higher R-value per inch
There are 3 primary types of spray foam insulation that can be used for insulation.
High-Density: Used for exterior and roofing applications
Medium-Density: Used for continuous insulation, interior wall cavity fill, and unvented attics
Low-Density: Used for interior wall cavity fill and unvented attics
Spray foam insulation effectively resists heat transfer and offers an efficient solution in reducing unwanted air loss that happens in buildings through small cracks, seams, and joints. If you want a price on spray foam, please reach out to us and we will help you get a quote. Click on any of the contact us forms and we will reply within 24 hours.
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