Top Myths About Spray Foam Insulation

When done properly, home insulation can reduce energy costs by as much as fifty percent. Still, the effectiveness of your home insulation system will also depend on whether you chose the right kind of insulation for your needs.

There are various types of insulation, and each one can be extremely effective at increasing energy efficiency and decreasing outside noise. Some insulation systems even repel moisture, protecting wood in the home from mold, mildew, and rot. 

Foam Comfort, Inc., has been in the business of providing spray foam insulation in Toronto since 2006. There are a lot of benefits to using spray foam insulation in the right situations. Still, some of our clients started out with a lot of concerns about the safety and efficacy of spray foam insulation, thanks to some notorious myths surrounding this kind of insulation. 

In this article, we will debunk some of these myths so you can rest assured about the safety and effectiveness of this specific type of home insulation.

The spray foam insulation that we know today was developed by the United States military in the 1940s for use on military planes. Thirty years later, spray foam made the jump from airplanes to buildings. For fifty years now, homes and businesses have been using spray foam to create air barriers and sound barriers, so it is definitely not a new practice.

We at Foam Comfort only use materials that are EcoLogo-certified to be environmentally sound for their entire life cycle. EcoLogo began as a Canadian Government certification measure, but it is now accepted worldwide. The materials that we use do not emit chemicals that contribute to climate change. 

Closed-cell spray foam insulation repels moisture, protecting the air that you breathe from dangerous mold spores. The materials we use are also approved by Health Canada for schools and hospitals. Used as home insulation materials, our products increase the energy efficiency of the home, making them beneficial for the planet over time. 

While spray insulation is very effective in creating air-tight barriers, ventilation systems still allow air to move freely around the home. Our products expand and create these air-tight barriers exactly where you want them. In any case, plenty of air moves around the home and vents to the outside through all the normal attic vents, doors, and windows.

Air ventilation is an important part of energy efficiency in a residential setting, as well. As temperatures rise in the attic, the heat vents upwards and out, while insulation provides an extra barrier for the home’s ceilings. Spray foam enhances this feature by plugging unwanted air leaks while leaving the vents free to expel the hot or cold air outside of the building.

R-value measures how well insulation resists heat. It is determined by testing insulation in tepid 70-degree conditions. Depending on how the insulation holds up in those conditions, an R-value is assigned. Regardless of thickness, insulation with an R-value of 20 will provide the same level of heat protection.

In real life, however, insulation has to do its job in temperatures way higher or lower than 70 degrees. As such, the “effective” R-value may be much different from the assigned, nominal R-value. If insulation is not applied to create air-tight seals, air pockets can form and reduce the effective R-value. For this reason, having professionals install the foam can save you major headaches down the road.

Our team of well-trained professionals at Foam Comfort will be delighted to inspect your current home or office to determine if spray foam insulation is right for you. To schedule your free consultation today, call us at 416-410-0961 or fill out our online contact form.