FAQ
FAQs about Foam Insulation
Whether you are a home or business owner, or both, you can benefit greatly from foam insulation. Our cutting edge foam technologies create a protective barrier unmatched by insulation methods of the past when it comes to preventing moisture, noise, and temperature leakage and containment. The possibilities with foam are virtually endless, and the benefits are very abundant.
Many people in Oklahoma don’t even have the faintest clue about foam insulation spraying or how it could benefit them, save them a lot of money, and increase their home’s value. Some of the benefits of foam aren’t widely known amongst homeowners, these include things like noise dampening, air flow control, and temperature stability.
Common questions our customers have about spray foam:
Q – If I have fiberglass insulation in my house now, how do I switch to foam?
A – First we have to remove all fiberglass insulation from the attic floor. We will then install the foam to the roof line. What we are doing is relocating your thermal boundary from the attic floor to the roof line. You CAN NOT have 2 thermal boundaries, this can lead to moisture issues.
Q – How long does the foam take to pay for itself through energy savings?
A – About 3 to 5 years based on today’s energy rates.
Q – If I switch to spray foam, how much money should I save per month or per year.
A – That’s a hard question to answer because people like their house at a different temperature, or maybe leave the lights and TV on through out the day. But for heating and cooling you can expect to see about 40% to 50% reduction in your energy bills.
Q – What is the difference between open cell spray foam and closed cell spray foam?
A – Open cell spray foam has an open cell structure with foam and air. It has a soft feel to it. It has a core density 0.5 lbs. It runs about 3.8 R-value per inch and is also great for sound control. Very good product for residential roof lines. Closed cell spray foam has a closed cell structure and sets up very hard. The core density is 2.1lbs and has an R-value of 6.5 per inch or R-25 at 3.5 inches thick. Closed cell is also a vapor barrier at 1″ thick and is great for under floors with moisture issues, metal buildings and barns.
Top Reasons for Foam Insulation in Oklahoma
- The area where the most amount of energy loss and heat gain is in the ceiling of any building or house. Most roofing shingles are dark in color which will gain heat from the sun in the summer time. making the attic very hot and humid.
- Spraying the foam to the roof line make it a part of the roof line and does the best job of keeping the heat from ever coming in to the house and contains the temperature in the house. Your house is not having to defend itself against unrealistic heat gained in the attic. This make your attic area a semi-conditioned space making the attic temperature and humidity about the same as in the house.
- Most new construction puts the duct work and HVAC equipment in the attic. Spraying the foam in the roof line moves the thermal boundary to the roof and install all your duct work in the semi-conditioned space, meaning you have no actual duct leakage when it leaks to a semi-conditioned space. Your HVAC equipment will also get to operate in a much better temperature year round.
- Spraying the foam in the roof line and walls will also make the house or building very quiet to outside noises like inclement weather, traffic and lawn equipment.
- Full foam homes and buildings are able to down size the HVAC equipment because with foam you have control over your air infiltration and ACH (air change per hour). This is a good thing because a smaller HVAC unit uses less power to operate. Making for lower yearly energy costs.
- Full Foam homes and building are safer in high wind areas because it will not let the building or house over pressurize causing the roof to lift or the wall panels to blow out like in metal buildings.
- Full foam house or building are great for fire control. Many times because the foam is so air tight that the fire can’t gain enough oxygen to continue to spread. In many cases it will put itself out.
- When you choose to do full foam this gives us the ability to install the walls and the attic area at the same time. This gives the builder and home owner a better chance to inspect the work that was done. When you choose fiberglass, the walls are 1 phase and the attic must be done after sheet rock. Often times, areas in the attic are blocked off for inspection when done this way.
- Closed cell foam will add structural integrity to any building or home. This is a great system for metal building or pole barns. It is also a vapor barrier when sprayed at 1″ thick. This is a great fix for under floors with moisture issues.