Immediately after recognizing a need for spray polyurethane foam insulation (SPF), one among the 1st questions possible consumers attempt to deal with is “what is the distinction between open up cell and closed mobile foam insulation?”

Spray foam insulation ordinarily falls in one of two groups, “open cell” or “closed cell,” and each kind differs in structure, in which it should be utilized, and general performance.

Structure

Open up cell spray foam is usually described as a “low density” or “0.5 lb.” foam, this means when you slice a bit of open up mobile foam into a single cubic foot (12”x12”x12”), that bit of foam would weigh approximately fifty percent of 1 pound. The microscopic cells in open cell foam are just that-open- which give it a soft, fluffy feeling. We regularly review the feel of open up mobile foam to the sponge or simply angel food stuff cake.

Closed cell spray foam, then again, is likewise named “medium density” or “2.0 lb.” foam. Can you guess the amount one cubic foot of shut cell foam weighs? The small cells of medium density, 2 lb. foam are closed, as well as texture is rather company and rigid. Right after it's fixed, closed mobile foam is basically a really challenging plastic.

Application

Commonly talking, open up cell foam is best suited to residential applications- precisely earlier mentioned quality in exterior partitions, roof lines, attic flooring, and spots that need to have soundproofing.

Closed mobile spray foam is surely an extraordinary product down below quality as part of your basement or crawl room because of its capacity to block dampness (see beneath). You will also see closed mobile used in professional and industrial projects, pole barns, metallic buildings, and exterior apps.

Moisture Barrier

Open up cell spray foam is not really a dampness vapor barrier, and can make it possible for moisture to move. So, if you’re thinking about spraying foam to your roof deck of one's new or current home, you would like open mobile. If there is a roof leak, h2o will pass through the foam, and you will swiftly have the capacity to uncover your problem.

At a thickness of 1.5”, numerous closed mobile solutions can provide a moisture barrier to reject bulk h2o, and its these vapor permeability properties that make closed cell products ideal for insulating basement and crawl room walls. It can fully lock out the damp, musty, humid smells most basements have to fight.

R-Value

At Mullins Organization, our open up cell spray polyurethane foam of choice is Icynene Typical Max. Classic Max has an R-value of three.seven for every inch, and that’s very normal on earth of open cell goods. So, should your home or building is framed on 2’x4’ studs you will have an R-13 inside your walls. If it’s framed on 2’x6’ studs you’ll have an R-20 with your partitions.

In shut mobile purposes, we’ll be spraying Icynene ProSeal by having an R-value of 7.0 for each inch. As mentioned earlier, shut cell is usually employed in basements and crawl areas. We recommend no less than 2? sprayed to crawl space basis and basement partitions for an R-value of fourteen.

Air Barrier

It is vital that you keep in mind that the major profit of all spray foam insulations is their air sealing residence. It is not all about R-value!

At a minimum amount of three.5”, most open up cell foams are regarded as air impermeable. For the reason that open up cell foam expands at about 100x its liquid state, every crack and crevice is stuffed producing an extremely airtight environment, and that is genuinely what you’re just insulation companies near me after in implementing spray foam.

Closed cell foam acts in a very very similar way, expanding approximately 40x its liquid condition. It is actually deemed air impermeable at about one.5” thick.