Spray Foam Insulation Lakeland Florida
The chemical insulation agent that is stored in canisters and sprayed into walls, holes and cracks with a special application device; it then expands and dries, forming a barrier. It can be used to supplement existing insulation or plugs leaks.
Foam insulation spray won’t prevent radiant heat transfer (The primary source of heat-flow in and out of your structure). Without a radiant barrier, when the roof gets very hot (as in summer), it radiates solar-generated heat down into the attic insulation. Spray insulation primarily reduces heat transfer by trapping warm air. It has a high radiant heat transfer rate and is a very good radiator of this absorbed and retained heat. As surfaces radiate infrared rays in all directions, the heat trapped in spray insulation during the day will radiate down through the ceiling into the air-conditioned living space at night even if the night cools down. This means you will have to run the air-conditioning system even at night wasting energy. Using radiant foil insulation will prevent this problem. An aluminum foil radiant barrier in the attic will block up to 97 percent of this heat from reaching the insulation and the air-conditioned living space below.
Disadvantages:
- The cost can be high compared to traditional insulation.
- Most of all, with the exception of cementitious foams, release toxic fumes when they burn. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there is insufficient data to accurately assess the potential for exposures to the toxic and environmentally harmful isocyanates which constitute 50% of the foam material.
- Depending on usage and building codes and evironment, most foams require protection with a thermal barrier such as drywall on the interior of a house. For example a 15-minute fire rating may be required.
- Can shrink slightly while curing if not applied on a substrate heated to manufacturer’s recommended temperature.
- Although CFCs are no longer used, many use HCFCs or HFCs as blowing agents. Both are potent greenhouse gases, and HCFCs have some ozone depletion potential.
- Most, such as Polyurethane and Isocyanate insulation, contain hazardous chemicals such as benzene and toluene. These are a potential hazard and environmental concern during raw material production, transport, manufacture, and installation.
- Many foam insulations are made from petrochemicals and may be a concern for those seeking to reduce the use of fossil fuels and oil. However, some foams are becoming available that are made from renewable or recycled sources.
- R-value will diminish slightly with age, though the degradation of R-value stops once an equilibrium with the environment is reached. Even after this process, the stabilized R-value is very high.
- Most foams require protection from sunlight and solvents.
- It is difficult to retrofit some foams to an existing building structure because of the chemicals and processes involved.
- If one does not wear a protective mask or goggles, it is possible to temporarily impair one’s vision. (2–5 days)
Source: www.insulation4less.com