Q. Why does spray foam perform better than fiberglass?
A. Spray foam insulation’s air sealing properties are the primary reason for its superiority over fiberglass. Fiberglass, no matter how well it is installed, does not provide an air barrier and allows air to move through it. This allows the two climates (inside, conditioned air and outside, unconditioned air) to combine and create potential condensation inside walls and building assemblies.
Q. What is the difference between open-cell foam and
closed-cell foam?
A. Both open-cell and closed-cell foam are great insulators. Both provide an excellent thermal barrier and air barrier. How they differ is that closed-cell foam is waterproof and will not let water move through it. Open-cell foam will allow water to move through it and dry. Insulation should not stop water. Roof, wall, and crawlspace assemblies are designed to keep water out. If water somehow does get into those assemblies, it needs to be able to dry out, especially in wood structures.
Q. In new construction, at what point in the building process do you install spray foam insulation?
A. You would spray foam at the same time as traditional fiberglass insulation, after passing mechanical and framing inspections and before hanging sheetrock.
Q. Is spray foam insulation better for sound attenuation
than fiberglass insulation?
A. Yes. Spray foam has more density than fiberglass and its physical properties attenuate sound more effectively. Note: It is very difficult to specify how much sound will be reduced unless a specific sound wall assembly is designed (i.e. staggered stud, etc.).
Q. Does spray foam insulation require a larger investment than traditional fiberglass insulation?
A. Yes, there is a larger investment, but we have found that most of our customers are paid back the difference over a 5 to 7 year period through energy savings.