Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation
With fuel costs soaring, all businesses and residential property owners are looking at ways of reducing their bills. And using closed cell spray foam insulation is one of the most energy-efficient solutions. But before investing in quality insulation products, it’s important to find out about your options and to make sure you’re choosing the best fit for your property.
Closed cell foam Insulation is one of the most effective insulations on the market right now, especially for industrial properties. And because of its lower thermal conductivity, it can reduce energy costs significantly.
So before deciding if closed cell insulation is something you need, let’s look a little more closely at what it does and what it can offer.
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What is closed cell spray foam Insulation?
Closed cell spray is a polyurethane foam. This simply means a form of plastic (polymer) that is composed of organic units joined by carbamate links – it forms the basis of many products.
Many people refer to the foam as ‘closed cell expanding foam’ and it can still be called that even though it expands less than open cell foam. The cells from which this closed cell spray is constructed are tightly compressed. And these ‘closed’ cells coupled with the cell density of the product effectively repel as much air and moisture as possible.
The closed cell form of this spray foam creates a seal on application. And because it is low expanding (30mm-50mm once applied), it’s more rigid than many insulation alternatives so it can add to the stability of whatever it’s applied to. Closed cell spray foam insulator also has high thermal resistance (R-value). And because of its greater resistance to heat transfer, closed cell polyurethane foam insulation is a great insulator.
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Closed cell vs open cell foam insulation: What's the Difference?
We’ve established what closed cell spray foam insulation is. Now, let’s look at the difference between closed cell and open cell foam.
Where the cells for closed cell foam insulation offer stability and rigidity, the open cell spray foam insulation offers flexibility and breathability. The open cells, as the name suggests, are similar to bubbles and are much softer than the closed cell foam.
In contrast to the low expansion of the closed cell spray, the open cell foam expands up to 100 times its original size. And, so unlike traditional forms of insulation, such as glass mineral wool or high-density closed cell polyethene foam and other thermal boards, it can fill every gap in your home or building to create a tight seal. Because of this, it can reduce energy costs by up to 50%.
Closed cell foam offers the same sealing capabilities as open cell when applied correctly. And it can provide a greater reduction in heating costs too. But because open cell spray foam is a more flexible and breathable substance, it is a more suitable choice for many residential properties, especially for timbered areas such as lofts. The open cell spray foam insulation allows timbers to breathe naturally while preventing heat from escaping from the building or drafts from creeping in.
Closed cell spray foam insulation pros and cons
The benefits of closed cell foam spray insulation are extensive and the product offers fantastic value for money. But let’s spell the good stuff out:
High Thermal Density: a lower thermal conductivity means a higher closed cell foam r value. And closed cell spray foam offers both. This gives a greater temperature regulation for a building.
Lower energy costs: the most convincing reason to have foam insulation installed is because of the significant reduction in heating usage and costs. Up to 50% reduction in your bill sounds pretty good, right?
Seamless insulation: when installed by experts, the closed cell foam spray creates a seamless layer of insulation in your property. Almost all other forms of traditional insulation will leave gaps at joins in the product, and at the corners and edges of internal features.
Perfect Industrial insulation option: closed cell spray foam is perfectly suited to industrial and commercial buildings or any metal buildings on your property because the structures do not require the breathability of the open cell foam. Plus, it can be used in most environments, even in temperatures of -10°C.
Improve Build Stability: It can help stabilise industrial buildings because of the more rigid structure of the cells. Plus, it can add a far higher degree of integrity to your building than most other forms of insulation. Business property owners also value the high closed cell spray foam fire rating too.
Moisture control: Because of its composition, the foam doesn’t hold water like many forms of insulation, and as such, it can add additional waterproofing to a building and prevent the growth of mould.
Things to be aware of:
Accurate application is essential to make sure that:
- a) the product is sufficiently applied to block all air gaps.
- b) the product is not over applied which could lead to it peeling while it is expanding.
Closed Cell Spray Foam Areas of Application
The most effective use for closed cell insulation is in metal buildings and commercial buildings that have metal joints or frames, pole barns, and crawl spaces. It can also be used externally and in buildings that are partially open to the elements. And it may surprise some that it can also be used in vans.
While closed cell spray foam insulation is a perfect fit for commercial buildings it still has a place in residential homes. It seals and insulates, and reduces drafts for any non-timber areas of the home, but it’s great around wiring, plumbing, HVAC ductwork, in basement/cellars and crawlspaces.
Closed cell spray foam insulation cost
Closed cell polyurethane spray foam insulation costs vary depending on a number of factors, including building condition, location, environment, specialism requirements, and so forth.
Before giving an estimate, it is important to arrange a pre-installation survey with a qualified installer to assess the area that needs insulation. To arrange one with Spray Foam Tech get in touch today.
Conclusion
Whether you choose closed or open cell spray foam insulation, you’re guaranteed to save money on your energy bills. And with so many other benefits, it’s not necessarily a question of should you invest but when you’ll invest in spray foam insulation.
For more details or to see more of our range of products and services, find out more here.
