Spray foam insulation is an amazing product. It provides a great R-value for the dollar and it makes a home airtight, which is good for energy efficiency. However, it is also toxic and needs to be handled and sprayed by qualified contractors. This is important because underqualified contractors can cause expensive moisture damage to framing and other areas of a house that will require costly repairs and/or replacement.
Contractors apply spray foam insulation by mixing two different components together on-site in a professional insulated spray rig. The “A” side contains the primary liquids (usually methylene diphenyl diisocyanate or MDI) and the “B” side is a blend of catalysts that creates the chemical reaction as soon as it meets the “A” side. The reaction then expands the insulator to fill every nook and cranny and then hardens.
The R-Value Revolution: Unveiling the Insulating Power of Spray Foam
The result is an incredibly airtight, high performance insulator that prevents drafts and air movement within walls and between conditioned and un-conditioned spaces of the house. This can be particularly difficult in older homes and new construction with tight building envelopes. Spray foam insulation helps to solve this issue by providing a very thick and dense insulator.
Until recently, spray foam insulation was made with HFC blowing agents that have a very high global warming potential (GWP). However, several spray foam insulation manufacturers have started to offer products with low GWP blowing agents such as Demilec’s Ecomate with a GWP of 1 or BASF Walltite CM01 and Genyk Boreal Nature with a GWP of 1.
These are exciting new developments but it is still important for homeowners to make sure they choose only spray foam that uses a low GWP blowing agent. This will help to prevent the need to replace the insulation in years to come and to support a transition away from HFCs.