FOAM INSULATION: IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO

We have created many strong believers in foam insulation throughout our years in business. Building and homeowners throughout the east are reaping the benefits of being built with foam. Most builders that we work with today tell us that they continue to use foam because they have seen it makes a difference. They know the value that it adds to a home, and the comfort it will provide for years to come.

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There are, however, still the non believers; the misinformed, the fearful, and the cautionary. These are the builders who are uncertain or who haven’t used foam because they just don’t know enough about it. This area was designed for those builders to gain the knowledge they need to start offering clients spray foam insulation as an option.

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GETTING OVER THE STICKER SHOCK

A frequent obstacle to overcome is the sticker shock!  The primary reason why many builders baulk at foam is the difference in price from conventional fiberglass.  “My client has budget issues and they will never go for that,” is a statement we often hear.  While the initial investment for foam is higher than fiberglass, the cost savings over time and the additional benefits make it a worthwhile investment. The following is an example of how your customers will save money with foam. 

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BETTER INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Less air infiltration means less dust, pollen, mold spores, moisture, unwanted outdoor odors, and insects or rodents. The shear density of the product makes it a deterrent to insects and unwanted animals. Many homeowners want to know how to take care of these issues and would be interested in these additional benefits. Have you ever opened a wall up for demolition and found a nest for birds, squirrels, rats, mice, wasps? Closed cell foam will close the gaps to prevent animal and insect infestation.

 
A LITTLE INSIGHT INTO R-VALUES

 Most people know that R-value is a measurement of heat transfer. It is important to understand however, that the ASTM test created to determine R-value was designed as a method to measure fiberglass, rock wool, and cellulous; not foam, glass or even cork. The tests are done today in a laboratory and do not factor in moisture, air movement or wind. Tests show that just 8 MPH of air movement, or wind, reduces the R-value of fiberglass insulation by 30%. Many people don’t know that the R rating of fiberglass will actually diminish significantly on a windy day, or that over time fiberglass insulation can sag, settle, get dirty, get wet, host mold, and create large gaps in the insulation in your walls. On the other hand, closed cell foam insulation is not affected by wind, and it will never sag to leave gaps.

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It is also interesting to note that studies by Oak Ridge National Laboratory have shown that even the most perfectly installed batts “lose 11% of their labeled R value, and that “commonly installed fiberglass batts lose 28% of their labeled R-value just from installing them in a wall.

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 The earth’s climate is the real world laboratory. If you are building in an area that has air movement, wind, rain, sleet, snow or heat extremes, your clients should know that the effectiveness of their fiberglass batting (in exterior walls) will greatly decrease, and can be rendered virtually useless. These are things clients should know in order to make an informed decision on how to insulate their home.

 

Closed cell foam has the highest R-value per inch of any residential insulation product today.