TECHNICAL LIBRARY

More and more people are becoming aware of the tremendous advantages of spray foam insulation.  For these days, you never know exactly what is going to happen with energy prices and people are also becoming more and more concerned with the environment and such worrisome things as climate change. Because of these things, more people are going green and seeking cleaner ways of living that include much less energy waste and the subsequent lowering of their energy bills at the same time.

A big part of this effort has come through people sealing up their homes with spray foam insulation, which is also known as SPF (spray polyurethane foam).  Spray Foam Orlando is one of the top spray foam contractors in Orlando, FL.  We perform both residential and commercial projects of all sizes and scope.  The following outlines some of the facts and misconceptions of SPF, such as the all important understanding of open cell vs closed cell spray foam.

Despite the widespread use of this substance there are still a vast amount of misconceptions about it. Here are some facts about going green, as well as spray foam insulation, that maybe you were not aware of.

Cost of Spray Foam Insulation

First of all, many people are very concerned about spray foam insulation cost. It is true that you will pay a little up front to make your existing home greener, or add green products into new construction, but at the same time the long-term benefits will pay those initial upfront costs back many times over. For example: It takes an additional 2% - 6% in overall costs to make a new home you are building green, yet it will make your home up to 60% more energy efficient as far as energy consumption goes.  Learn more about the cost of spray foam here.

It is easy to see that over the life of that home you will get paid back for those initial upfront green costs several times over.  Not to mention you will also have a much healthier type home to live in and do the environment a big favor at the same time.  So although spray foam insulation is a capital investment, the payback on that investment is quite impressive.

Once you have made this investment, then you will be on your way to achieving a sustainable green building, which is one that uses much less natural resources and water yet still retains the ability to provide comfort to its owners. It is important that the focus be kept where it needs to be when going green, which is on not using up too much fresh water or natural resources and to also improve the air quality in your home at the same time.

Spray Foam Insulation Fast Facts

Spray foam insulation use for energy efficiency is not something that just happened recently; it has actually been around since the early sixties.  Although it was first used for industrial purposes, it then became more widely used on the inside of the exterior walls of buildings and homes.  It eventually was also used for insulating exposed pipes and storage tanks.

People are often of the opinion that it takes a long time to add spray foam installation to a house, and that it is a difficult task. Although this type of attic insulation does take special equipment and skill to apply it safely and properly, which is the reason it should be done by a professional, it does not take as long as one would think. A small home can usually be done in one to two days and larger homes can usually be done in two to three days. So it definitely is not a process that takes a week or two.

When is the Best Time to Install Spray Foam?

Of course the answer to this is it the same point in construction that normal insulation would be added to a home or building.  During new construction it is normally applied before the interior walls are finished. It is a product that is made up of two components and once combined it rapidly expands and it will strongly adhere to such things as wood, metal and plastic. Even though it is best applied during new construction that does not mean that it can’t be quite effective when applied professionally to an existing home too.

Some people also have the misconception that the spray foam will emit an odor for a long time after it is put in place. It is actually a product that only stays in a moldable state for a short period of time and that is when it has some smell.  When initially installed, it is an expanding foam the fills all nooks and crannies in your attic space.  Once it has hardened in place it has very little smell at all and most of the smell is gone just a few hours after it has been installed.

Another rumor that is associated with spray foam installation is that the foam itself is saturated with formaldehyde. The truth of the matter is that formaldehyde is not one of the ingredients that go into making the product.

In all honesty spray foam insulation is a good product that insulates well and has very few negative qualities about it.  To learn more about how it can help you save money, and also make your home more energy efficient, call Spray Foam Orlando today at 407-641-2746.

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