Frequently Asked Questions About Spray Foam Insulation
What is Spray Foam?
Spray Foam (or Polyurethane Foam Insulation) is a 2 part liquid system consisting of an isocyanate and a resin mixture. These chemicals are pumped through a specialized heating and pressurizing unit. The fluids are kept separate until just before leaving the gun, then mixed at a specific temperature and pressure. There are two types of spray foam based on the cell structure of the foam. One is a closed cell and the other is an open cell.
What is the difference between ‘open’ and ‘closed’ cell insulation?
The two biggest differences are in the R-value and whether or not there is a need for a poly vapor barrier to be put over it.
Open cell (1/2lb) insulation uses air pockets to help in the r-value and requires a vapor barrier to be put over top of it. The open cell foam that Beyond Foam uses is Enertite®, a 1/2lb foam which has a long term thermal rating of 3.8 per inch. Typically Enertite® is used in garage warm floors, cantilevers and rim joists.
Closed cell (2lb) insulation does not require a vapor barrier on any substrate after being applied at 2" thick. The closed cell foam that Beyond Foam Insulation uses is Walltite Eco®, which at 3" thick, has a long term thermal rating R-value of R-20.9.
What does R-value mean?
R-value measures the thermal resistance of a material. The larger the number, the longer it takes for temperature to go through it (R20 is twice as good as R10).
What is a LTTR (Long Term Thermal Rating)?
This is a rating system we use to see how insulation performs in the long term (over 2 years). Most standard testing is for the R-value immediately after it is installed. Do not be fooled by companies that give an R-rating for install date or even at 120 days. Ask what the LTTR is, this will give you the true value of the spray foam insulation that you are installing in your Calgary home.
What makes Spray Foam so much better than conventional fiberglass insulation?
The biggest downfall of fiberglass insulation is that its Long Term Thermal Rating is substantially reduced over time. The numbers on a bag of fiberglass insulation (R-value) are very deceiving. When the bag says R20- it means that it will provide that rating if it is installed perfectly, without any air movement or gaps. The Long Term Thermal Rating of an R20 fiberglass batt is at best R12. This is because it will sag and gap for a variety of reasons (gravity, house shifting, pulling wires through wall space, vibrations in house, etc.) For every 1/8" gap you will lose 40- 50% of the R-value. Spray foam insulation is guaranteed to never gap, sag or crack, while fiberglass insulation has no such guarantee.
How do I choose a spray foam company?
Not all Calgary spray foam companies are run the same and they do not have the same criteria for excellence. It is a buyer-beware world we live in and you, the customer, need to research out who will do the best work for your project. Good questions to ask your contractors include: Is the product rated for residential use? Does the staff have proper training (both on site and with up to date courses)? Does the spray foam company have a list of referrals for you to call? What is the warranty? These are all good questions to start asking your contractors. Beyond Foam Insulation has been awarded an elite classification of FOAMMASTER® status from BASF. A FOAMMASTER® has to meet numerous quality assurance qualifications as well as on site evaluations. We feel we are the best educated, experienced and qualified to install your spray foam insulation and are open to answer any questions you may have.
Why is being a FOAMMASTER® so important?
First, as the customer, you will know that we are doing on site testing at every job. Beyond Foam Insulation will cut a piece of foam, weigh it, immerse it in water to figure out the density to determine if you are getting the proper R-value. There are many things that can affect the efficiency of the foam such as temperature, pressure and humidity. All these factors are calculated making your project safe and efficient. This data is recorded on daily worksheets and sent in to BASF for quality assurance.
Second, Beyond Foam has Morris and Hershfield (an independent 3rd party engineering firm) who ensures we are following all the guidelines laid out for us according to CANULC 705.2 (industry standards for installing Polyurethane Foam Insulation)
Third, MIKE HOLMES™ of HOLMES HOMES™ endorses only one spray foam insulation manufacturer: BASF. With this endorsement the HOLMES™ group has put a standard on who is an approved applicator of BASF Foam. Only FOAMMASTER®’s are approved to make it right by MIKE HOLMES™ and Beyond Foam Insulation is one of the only companies (there are only 2 more) in Alberta that is HOLMES Approved ™
How do I know if it is an approved foam for my application?
Ask for the CCMC #. Every approved building product must have this # before it is used in a new residential project. As well, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) outline approved applications for the product, one should be made available to you upon request.
How do I know if Walltite Eco truly is a vapor barrier?
In order to be considered a vapor barrier, the National Building code requires that the substance allows less than 60ng (ng being the amount of grains of water to be pushed through a material at an exact pressure and temperature). The Alberta Building Code will only accept 45ng. Walltite Eco® pass both these tests when applied at proper thicknesses for the substrate. To ensure that your home is completely sealed our 100% infiltration caulking package is needed to seam all wood joints. Ask us about this when you book your on site quote. We can also outline what needs to be done following our foam installation process to achieve a properly vapour-sealed building envelope. Click here to view the CCMC 12840R report.
Doesn't the poly vapor barrier work to keep air/moisture from moving through my walls?
The problem with conventional vapor barrier is that it is easily damaged. In a perfect world, where you don’t hang a picture on an outside wall of your house, poly is fine. For each picture you hang on the perimeter wall of your house and puncture the poly an estimated 1 cup of water per season comes through that hole in the poly. You can just imagine how much that is costing you as a Calgary home owner to heat the air outside your home. These gaps in the poly are also a great opportunity for mold and mildew as well as a lot of dusts, pollens and pollutants to enter your home.
Can I make my house too air tight?
The danger of making your home too air tight is that you can get sick from a lack of fresh air. Off gassing from cleaners and moisture from showering, can be harmful if contained. However, there is a simple solution: your heating/cooling company can give you information about an air exchanger. It allows fresh air into your home without running up your heating bill.
Will polyurethane foam burn?
Polyurethane foam insulation is listed as a combustible insulation under the building code. The foam does have a fire retardant in it, which means it will not support a flame. If you pull the source of flame from it, it will stop burning. Building code requires a thermal barrier to be put over all foam insulation (½” drywall meets the thermal barrier standards).
Is there harmful off gassing in your spray foam?
There are no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) in any of BASF’s foam products. No CFC’s (Chloro Fluoro Carbins) or HCFC’s (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbins).
The two chemicals, when mixed at a high temperature, do atomize-which does off gas and requires venting. As soon as those off-gasses leave the room, the foam is completely safe. This can take between 1-24 hours depending on the project. During our on site visit we will go over our safety policy and procedures with you and determine how your project can be done as safely as possible.
Will it stop rodents and insects for coming into my place?
Insects and rodents do not like our foam and we have found it to be a great barrier for stopping them from entering. Spray foam insulation stops the warm air from coming out (which rodents feel and like to move towards in seeking new shelters) as well as the attractive smell of food. We have sprayed the bottom of RV units and houses with rodent problems and achieved great results.
Where can spray foam insulation be used?
In a word, everywhere! The different types of foam (1/2lb and 2lb) have different characteristics and on you site visit we will help determine the best product for your project. We can spray anything from house walls to bonus room floors, complete shops to the back of your cube van. We have sprayed tanks, underground waterlines and the belly of hot tubs. Pretty much anything can be spray foamed.
Can I spray the concrete walls in my basement?
Yes you can. We also recommend before you back fill, in new home construction, that we spray the outside of your concrete. Concrete holds a temperature- when it gets cold, it stays cold for a long time. If you can stop that cold from getting in your house it will stay more comfortable, which in turn saves you money on heating costs. If it is too late for the outside spraying, inside will work as well. We have many testimonials of sprayed basements in Calgary where the client has an immediate change in the comfort of their homes and a reduction in heating bills.
Isn't this the same as ICF (Insulated Concrete Form) if you spray the concrete?
It is in many ways. The difference is that spray foam costs less and takes up less space inside your home - giving you more living space. I would consider that these are two great reasons to look at Beyond Foam as opposed to ICF. It will also allow you to design a more detailed and custom home if you like. Conventional cribbing methods make it easier to have different elevations and details to the design of your walls.
Read more at http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/ir/ir820/ir820.pdf
At what stage is spray foam insulation installed?
In a typical residential new construction we would come in after all HVAC, Plumbing and Gas, and Electrical inspections have passed. Each job is treated on an individual basis with Beyond Foam, and an on site visit is often required.
Can I rent equipment and do it myself?
No, it takes a full rig of sophisticated equipment, as well as training and experience to spray foam insulation. Chemical companies will not sell individuals the supplies unless they have gone through rigorous training. Plus the chances are too high of an unqualified individual incorrectly applying the foam insulation – spray foam insulation cannot do its job of insulating right if there are gaps, holes or pull-aways in the application – something a professional FOAMMASTER will prevent.
Will the spray foam come loose and pull away from the wall or studs?
Beyond Foam takes great care in doing our onsite testing to ensure that this does not happen. If by chance it does, Beyond Foam and BASF both have a warranty program that protects the customer from malfunction in the foam. However, foam is made to stick, and stick incredibly well to clean and dry substrates. Urethane is one of the best construction adhesives known.
How long will the foam last?
It will last an extremely long time. Correctly installed and not altered with after, the foam will last the life of your building. Polyurethane foam insulation adheres extremely well to virtually all substrates. With this and its ability to dry rigid Spray Foam Insulation will out perform all other types of insulation. It also is able to flex and move with your building.
How long has polyurethane been around?
During WWII, foam was used to strengthen the wings of air planes. In 1985 it became an approved product to be used in residential homes according to the building code. Foam has been around for a long time and now, with energy costs being where they are, it is the economical and environmental way to insulate your Calgary home, improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your ecological footprint.
If I have to choose between foam insulation and geo-thermal what should I do?
Spray foam insulation is used to keep the building envelope sealed, maintaining temperature and reducing energy costs. Geo-thermal uses friction and the earth’s energy to heat and cool your home. They both have a very important role in reducing our footprint on the environment while saving money. At Beyond Foam we like working with geo-thermal companies in the Calgary area and beyond to provide you with the best possible result in your home. Using spray foam we can drastically reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain temperature in your home which in turn reduces the cost of geo-thermal. Less drilling and piping and smaller furnace units are needed which will help with your budget and shorten your payback periods.
How much does spray foam insulation cost?
With all the government rebates, grants and incentives, spray foam insulation does not cost as much as one would think. The only way to determine the exact cost will be to have an on site visit by the staff at Beyond Foam. During this time we would be able to discuss the right type of foam, proper r-value and deliver a quote that will suit your exact needs.
Can your Foam be poured into walls?
No, it cannot. There are other products on the market that can be poured in, but your wall cavity would have to be completely clear of any debris or types of insulation to work. To get the best result, the wall cavity would have to be opened up (ie, drywall completely removed, or have the siding and sheeting removed from the exterior) and spray foam insulation applied. Beyond Foam has insulated many successful retro-fit projects with character homes and renovation jobs. Some of these projects have been tested for energy rebates from our government, resulting in cash back to the owner.
Will the Government help with the costs of making my home more energy efficient?
Yes, they will. We work with companies that will evaluate your home before and after construction giving you an energy audit. Depending on the extent your renovations, the more rebates you can get back. With the current federal government, the process is simple to follow - with fixed amounts of money based on what you do. Visit our links page to explore spray foam insulation subsidies and rebates or ask us during our on site visit how the provincial and federal government can help with your insulation costs.
What is the difference between Beyond Foam's Eco foam and other environmentally-friendly foams?
We believe that Walltite Eco® is the most environmentally-friendly 2lb foam on the market. Walltite Eco® is the only polyurethane foam to receive the EcoLogo®. Walltite Eco® not only uses recycled materials, but also a non-edible seed that is easily converted to be used in the resin. We feel this is better than using a soy seed for two reasons. First, it does not take food out of the food chain. Secondly, soy is difficult to convert to a usable product, and for the time it takes and fossil fuels used to convert it, more energy is wasted than gained. Don’t be confused by the 'green washing' different companies employ. Pick the only medium density spray foam insulation that has received the EcoLogo®, one of the most widely recognized environmental certifications in North America.
