Spray Foam Insulation FAQ's   Listed below are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about home insulation. Feel free to submit your own questions through the "Contact Us" portion of this Web Site. We will publish new material as we receive it.   How much does it cost compared to other insulation methods? Is it possible for a homeowner to install on their own? Are there health concerns? Does it contain urea formaldehyde, CFC or HCFC's? Is it environmentally certified? Does it adhere to metal studs? Can it be sprayed directly on ductwork? Is taping of joints required? Are there any compatibility concerns with other building materials? Are other trades (workers) allowed in the area during the application? What is the cold weather limitation when installing the application? Will it push out the dry wall (dry wall bowing)? What is the long-term stability? What are the acoustical properties? What is the flame spread characteristics & was any dripping noticed? What is thermal envelope? Do code jurisdictions accept the closed attic approach? What about the closed attic approach in mixed climates? Ventilation removes moisture, doesn't it? We hear a lot about SIP's. What are they? Do SIP houses need spray foam insulation? Will it help with odors? What happens to the shavings when trimmed flush with the studs in a full cavity application? What are the Advantages of Spray Foam Insulation? What is Soft Open Cell Spray Foam? What Is Spray Foam Insulation Made Of How Long Does It Take To Cure? Does Open Cell Soft Foam Absorb Water? Does Open Cell Foam Entrap Water? How Long Does Spray Foam Last? Does It Change Physically? Environmentally Speaking, Is There Anything To Worry About? Are There Glass Fibers Or Formaldehyde In Spray Foam? Does Spray Foam Insulation Have Building Code Approvals?   Does Spray Foam Insulation adhere to metal studs? Spray Foam Insulation adheres well to steel studs and other natural materials such as cement board, wood, etc. commonly found in residential and light commercial construction. Areas not requiring Spray Foam Insulation must be protected from over-spray, since Spray Foam Insulation will adhere to almost all surfaces. Top of page   What are the acoustical properties of Spray Foam Insulation? Spray Foam Insulation has excellent sound absorption properties and sound transmission properties. For a 2" x 6" wood cavity insulated with Spray Foam Insulation the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) is 0.75 and the Sound Transmission Coefficient (STC) is 39. Top of page   Are other trades (workers) allowed in the general area of the application of Spray Foam Insulation? Spray Foam Insulation shall be installed on site by qualified, certified installers trained in the proper safety and handling of the chemicals. Other trades persons should be kept away from the immediate area where spraying is conducted. Top of page   Will Spray Foam Insulation eventually push out the dry wall? Does it cause dry wall bowing? Spray Foam Insulation will not push out the drywall once it is sprayed into an open wall cavity and trimmed to the size of the cavity. Top of page   Can Spray Foam Insulation be sprayed directly on a clean and dry ductwork? Is taping of ductwork joints required? Spray Foam Insulation can be sprayed directly on a clean and dry ductwork if the service temperature is less than 180°F. Taping is not required because the air leakage through Spray Foam Insulation is very negligible. Top of page   What is the cold weather limitation to the application of Spray Foam Insulation? The minimum substrate and ambient temperature application of Spray Foam Insulation is 15°F. It has been observed that in conditions lower than 15°F, the yield of the product reduces. Top of page   What is the long-term stability of Spray Foam Insulation? Spray Foam Insulation is stable over the long term. It will not settle or compact over time. It offers constant aged R-value and is chemically and physically stable under normal conditions between (-60°F and 180°F). Top of page   Are there health concerns with Spray Foam Insulation? No! Spray Foam Insulation is a clean product. It meets off gassing requirements of CGSB 51.23-92 for new residential construction. No toxic or carcinogenic products were detected. Top of page   What is the flame spread characteristics of Spray Foam Insulation? And during the fire testing, was any dripping noticed? The flame spread classification of Spray Foam Insulation as tested in accordance with CAN/ULC S102 is less than 500 and in accordance with ASTM E-84 is a class 1 (21) at a thickness of 6". The fire testing was conducted from the top of the Steinner tunnel without any product dripping during and after tests. Top of page   Are there any compatibility concerns with other building materials? Spray Foam Insulation is stable in presence of most solvents found in binders, bituminous materials, wood preservatives and sealers. It is resistant to facers containing plasticizers, fuel, mineral oil, weak acids and weak bases typically found in residential and light commercial construction materials. Top of page   Does Spray Foam Insulation contain urea formaldehyde, CFC's or HCFC's? No! Spray Foam Insulation does not contain urea formaldehyde, CFC of HCFC. This insulation is a semi-rigid, urethane, open cellular plastic foam, where air is incorporated as the sole blowing agent. Top of page   Is Spray Foam Insulation environmentally certified? Yes, Spray Foam Insulation is an ecological product certified by an independent agency: "the Environmental Choice Program (EPC-40) of Environment Canada". Top of page   What is the thermal envelope? The thermal envelope or closed attic approach is a new development for hot and humid climates.   A growing body of research from ASHRAE, D.O.E., FSEC (Florida Solar Energy Center) and the Building Science Corporation, suggests that ventilating an attic may be counterproductive. The traditional methods of attic ventilation (gable vents, turbines, soffit and ridge-vent assemblies) do eliminate a small amount of heat, but this method tends to bring, into the attic, large volumes of moist air.   Furthermore, recent research from Partnership to Advance Technology in Housing indicate that when we place air distribution systems and/or duct work in an unconditioned space we may incur a large energy penalty (up to 30%) Top of page   Do code jurisdictions accept the closed attic approach? Yes and no. The original research that has become the basis for crawlspace and attic ventilation was conducted in 1942. A lot has changed in over 60 plus years! Our network work closely with the building science community, as well as code officials and we can normally get approval for this new approach. Top of page   Ventilation removes moisture, doesn't it? The manufacturers of ventilation equipment make a strong argument to support their product offerings. The reality is a little different. In hot and humid climates the only air available (for ventilation) tends to be humid. You cannot solve a moisture problem with more moisture. Research also indicates that if you bring moist air into your attic or crawlspace during air conditioning season you will be flushing cool or cooler surfaces with warm moist air. This temperature and humidity clash tends to cause condensation. Remember to consult your local building official - they do have the final authority.  Top of page   What about the closed attic approach in mixed climates? At this time, there is not quite enough research (from scientific trials or field models) to know for sure. However, we do know of test model homes as far North as Greenville, SC and they are performing well. Top of page   We hear a lot about SIP's. What are they? Although relatively new, SIP's or Structural Insulated Panels are a new form of panelized construction. Europeans and notably the Soviet Republic have been using panelized methods for over 50 years. A SIP, most commonly, consist of a large panel, composed of engineered wood products (e.g. O.S.B. (oriented strand board) where foam is sandwiched between 2 pieces of sheathing. Top of page   Do SIP houses need spray foam? Yes, if the house roof design is detailed it be simpler to stick-frame the roof and use spray foam to achieve a superior thermal system. Top of page   How much does Spray Foam Insulation cost compared to other insulation methods? Spray Foam Insulation is considered to be more expensive than most conventional insulation however it cannot be compared to conventional insulation. When using the Spray Foam Insulation system it actually air seals the building and eliminates energy robbing air leakage and the associated problems with moisture mold and mildew and condensation problems inside the walls. When calculating the actual cost you need to consider the possible need to downsize HVAC systems, eliminate building wraps and eliminate a significant portion of the material and labor costs associated with an air-sealing approach. Top of page   Will Spray Foam Insulation help with odors within the home? Yes, odors are typically a problem of a leaky wall because they can travel through the outlets and cut outs of shared walls of the home. Reducing the air leakage of these walls best minimizes odors.   Top of page   What happens to the shavings of Spray Foam Insulation when trimmed flush with the studs in a full cavity application? The shavings should be disposed in accordance with Federal and local regulations. Normally a landfill is considered acceptable since the product is not hazardous. In some jurisdictions, the shavings can be used to fill voids in the attic of a home.   Top of page   Is it possible for a homeowner install this foam on their own? Spray Foam Insulation has to be installed by a certified contractor with specialty proportioning equipment. The installer has been trained to work with the chemicals involved and has also been trained in building science to provide the best installation possible.   However, All Tech Insulation does provide portable one component foams and portable two component foams for patchwork, sealing around doors and windows and other specialty applications. Please feel free to contact us for further information on these types of foams. Top of page What Are The Advantages Of Foam? The major advantage of Spray Foam is that it does more than just insulate. It also windproofs wall and ceiling cavities from air movement, with a 3 1/2" sample of foam proving to be about 24 times less permeable to air infiltration than a similar thickness of fiberglass batt. In addition, the insulating power of All Tech Insulation products are not diminished by lower temperatures or by air movement. Its R-value performs as stated. By contrast, some building experts state that an R-13 fiberglass batt in the presence of a 10 mile per hour breeze (the real world) diminishes the insulating power of a batt to an R-5! Hardly the kind of protection from heat and cold you were hoping to arrange for your family. Top of page What Is Soft Open Cell Spray Foam ? OpenCell Foam is an insulation and air sealing system that is ideal for residential applications. An application of Spray Foam combines both a material and a service. The material is a lightweight foam. The service is custom installation of each stud cavity or rafter cavity of a building directly on the construction site by trained, licensed installers. All Tech Insulation is much more than just another insulation. By virtue of its low permeability to air infiltration, its adhesion to other building materials and its flexibility, it provides good air leakage control, moisture control, and sound control, as well as great insulation. All in one application. Top of page What Is Spray Foam Insulation Made Of? Spray Foam is an organic material developed from products of the petrochemical industry. It is a two component system that is sprayed like paint. The chemical constituents are similar to those used in the manufacturer of many products already in your home, such as upholstery foam and the foam used for pillows and mattresses---although the properties of the foam are different.  Spray Foam is an environmentally friendly urethane in which the ozone-robbing CFC's have been replaced with air and water. Top of page How Long Does It Take To Cure? The foam is created within seconds after spraying. You can watch it expand within seconds to 120 times its original volume, literally before your eyes. It completely cures within a few minutes. Does Open Cell Soft Foam Absorb Water? No; it looks like a sponge but it is actually hydrophobic, i.e. it repels water. If placed in water it will float, and on removal, it will dry rapidly with no loss of insulating properties. If you ever have a roof leak or plumbing leak in your home which would soak the insulation, the water will ultimately settle out of and it will not damage the foam. We can't say the same for other insulations. Water breaks down the glue in a fiberglass batt so the batt is destroyed and loses its effectiveness. Water also turns cellulose (ground newspaper) to mush and it dries out VERY slowly (have you ever tried to dry out a wet newspaper?). The cellulose settles into a lump leaving a large un-insulated cavity in the wall. Of course, if it remains wet long enough, it can cause wood to rot and foster mold or mildew growth within your walls. Top of page Does Open Cell Foam Entrap Water? No. As stated above, Spray Foam is an opened cell foam which is ideal for architectural purposes. The foam breathes slowly, and any moisture in the buildings' concrete or lumber can escape through the foam as the building dries out, thus eliminating any risk of lumber rot or mildew usually associated with materials that trap moisture. Top of page How Long Does Spray Foam Last? Does It Change Physically? Aging is not an issue with Spray Foam. It is inert, and its physical and insulating properties are constant. Top of page Environmentally Speaking, Is There Anything To Worry About? No. Spray Foam has been thoroughly tested. Once it has aged for 30 days it is a stable product and no longer has any detectable emissions. Spray Foam has been used in many of the American Lung Association "Health Homes" being built around the U.S. In addition to the ALA use, Foam Insulation is also the only insulation that has an Top of page Are There Glass Fibers Or Formaldehyde In Spray Foam? No to both. Glass fibers have been listed as a suspected carcinogen by the EPA and most fiberglass batt manufacturers now print a warning label on the wrapper. Formaldehyde was present in an early commercial foam called urea formaldehyde which was also used in residential applications in the early 1970's. Spray Foam is free of both glass fibers or formaldehyde and is a great choice for insulating your new home. Top of page Does Spray Foam Insulation Have Building Code Approvals? Yes! Foam has approval of all four major building codes in the United States and the Canadian building code. In fact, it is one of the most extensively tested insulation products ever. Concern in the 1970's over the excessive off-gassing of an early foam product called urea formaldehyde, and related concerns in subsequent years over the health effects of other insulating products, specifically asbestos and fiberglass, have resulted in some of the most thorough and sensitive emissions testing of a new building product to date. Based upon the results of this stringent testing, Spray Foam met the requirements of the building codes and subsequent re-certifications as required on a periodic basis. Top of page     Contact an All Tech Insulation engineer today (989-826-9999) for a deeper discussion about your insulation requirements.