Energy efficiency is on most homeowners’ minds these days. Many don’t realize they’re thinking about it, but it’s almost always at the forefront in one way or another. After all, a home that lacks efficiency can pose numerous problems. Those issues include high heating and cooling costs and less-than-optimal comfort levels. At the same time, a home that’s not as efficient as it could be may have higher-than-average humidity levels that could lead to mold growth, moisture damage, and other problems. As such, efficiency is certainly important.
Improving a Home’s Energy Efficiency
Several factors can enhance or detract from a home’s energy efficiency. How well the home is built and the materials used in its basic construction factor into the equation. Additionally, having efficient windows installed improves efficiency levels. Products that bear the Energy Star seal of approval are recommended. Ensuring doors and windows have appropriate weather seals around them is advised as well.
Beyond those aspects, insulation is a vital component in the quest for improved energy efficiency. Different types of insulation are available. Conventional rolls of fiberglass insulation are among the most popular options, but they’re not necessarily the best. At the same time, blown-in insulation has certain benefits to offer. One of the most effective and efficient solutions, though, is spray foam insulation. This type of insulation can provide an array of advantages when installed by a professional spray foam contractor.
What is Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray foam isn’t quite the same as other options on the market. Rolled insulation is generally made of fiberglass. Some types of bats and roll insulation may be made of mineral wool or sheep’s wool. Loose-fill insulation is also available. It’s typically made of loose chunks of fiber, cellulose, or foam, and it’s blown into spaces that require insulation. Some insulation comes in the form of rigid foam boards as well.
In contrast, spray foam insulation starts its life as a liquid. It’s made of two distinct materials: polyol resin and isocyanate. These substances react in a distinct way, and they must be kept separate until applied to prevent that reaction from taking place too soon. When the time comes to transform them into their final composition, they’re combined and sprayed onto surfaces. From there, the newly created substance expands and hardens into a durable insulative material.
Why Is Spray Foam Insulation a Great Option?
Spray foam insulation is a noteworthy option for homeowners. It’s extremely versatile. Like other types of insulation, it can be installed during construction for a layer of protection against the elements. It can also be put into place after construction. If there’s an access point to the inner walls, attic, or other areas of a home, spray foam can be installed. It can be applied to almost every nook and cranny. That makes it a practical solution for initial insulation as well as a replacement for other insulative materials.
Exploring the Additional Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation
Versatility is one of the main advantages of spray foam insulation. Considering its composition, it can be used to protect against outside forces in attics, walls, crawlspaces, and virtually any other portion of a home. It’s also useful for businesses, storage buildings, and other structures. Its benefits also branch out significantly from there. Consider some of the additional reasons many people choose spray foam insulation over other materials.
Exceptional Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Spray foam insulation has been proven to provide exceptional insulative value and energy efficiency when compared to some other types of insulation. In fact, many homeowners see anywhere from a 10- to 30-percent reduction in heating and cooling costs. Reports show that some homeowners may save as much as 50 percent on their monthly gas and electric bills when compared to homes with other types of insulation in place.
Because of its efficiency and effectiveness, spray foam seals crack that other insulation may leave behind. It can be applied in areas where other forms of insulation can’t be used, further protecting homes against heat transfer. Though this type of insulation may be a bit more expensive than its counterparts, the energy savings it generates tend to make up for the initial cost.
Longevity
Longevity is another positive quality of spray foam insulation. It can last 80 years or more before beginning to break down. Conventional fiberglass and loose-fill insulation may settle or degrade over time. They may need to be replaced after 10 years or so. That’s not the case with spray foam. This level of longevity is another way in which spray foam insulation helps homeowners save money.
Thwarting Moisture
In light of its sealing power, spray foam insulation can keep moisture out of homes. Other types of insulation may allow moisture and humidity to creep inside, but spray foam forms enough of a seal to prevent that from happening. That means it can protect homes and their contents from mold growth and moisture damage. That may prolong the structural integrity of the structure by keeping decay at bay. By thwarting mold growth, spray foam can safeguard against the many health issues this fungus is known to cause, too.
Greater Indoor Comfort
Since it prevents heat transfer and keeps indoor moisture levels lower, spray foam insulation can make homes more comfortable. Many people find that their homes are a bit too chilly and drafty during the winter and too warm and humid in the summer. HVAC systems are often blamed for these problems, but they’re not necessarily the true culprits. Lackluster insulation may be the real cause. Spray foam insulation, on the other hand, may lead to greater indoor comfort.
Enjoying the Advantages of Spray Foam Insulation
Though several types of insulation are available, not all of them are equal. Spray foam insulation may provide heightened energy efficiency by sealing crevices and keeping heat, cold, and moisture outside where they belong. In turn, that leads to significant energy savings, protection against mold growth, and increased indoor comfort. At the same time, spray foam insulation lasts longer than other options. All that creates not only financial benefits but also greater peace of mind.