IS SPRAY FOAM A GOOD CHOICE?

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How Does It Work?

Open and closed cell spray foam insulation work differently, but they both have the same goal: to keep your home comfortable while reducing energy costs. Spray foam specifically works by spraying into small areas of your home’s interior walls to fill even the tiniest crevasses to provide optimal insulation capabilities.

The spray foam comes out in a pliable form but quickly hardens within 5 to 60 minutes. This makes it an airtight seal, which is very important for insulation purposes. The closed cell variety of spray foam is denser and more resistant to moisture, making it better suited for exterior applications and areas with high humidity levels.

Open cell spray foam is lighter and less dense, making it better suited for interior applications with a higher risk of moisture. It also has a higher thermal conductivity, meaning it’s less effective at preventing heat transfer.

Both types of spray foam work to create an airtight seal and prevent moisture infiltration, making them valuable insulation options..

While you now have a basic understanding of spray foam insulation, we can get into the differences between open cell and closed cell foam insulation. While they each have their fair share of benefits (and downfalls), one may be more suitable for your needs over the other, so weighing the pros and cons is highly beneficial.

The structure of the materials and the cells are what give spray foam the name of either open or closed cell. Open cell spray foam is more flexible and softer than closed cell because it has more space between the cells—kind of like air bubbles or gaps. While this type of spray foam can be more susceptible to holding water or moisture, it can be easier to manage and fill spaces since it’s not as rigid as closed cell.

Closed cell spray foam is just the opposite, with no air or space in the cells. This rigidity is more robust, firmer, and even helps strengthen the integrity of the structure it’s insulating. That means if you insulate your attic with closed cell, the walls will be stronger and sturdier than that of open cell insulation.

Mixing Open & Closed Cell Spray Foam: You can mix closed cell and open cell spray foam by initially spraying a minimum of 1 inch closed cell spray foam followed by 4 inches of open cell Spray Foam to bring your R value of 38.  Mixed climates require a minimum of 1 inch closed cell while colder climates require 2 inches from one.  This procedure is normally done when you have a 2 x 6 roof rafter and you need an R-value of 38 in the roof deck but going entirely closed cell could run the homeowner or contractor over budget.

While each of these types has its own pros and cons, there are some shared benefits of spray foam, such as creating an excellent air barrier for your home, lowering energy costs drastically, and lasting longer than fiberglass or other insulation types. So ultimately, it will come down to a few things.

1. Which R-value do you want or need? Some areas require a specific R-value in your home to be up to code, and in that case, you may want to invest in closed cell foam, which has a higher R-value of 6.8-7.5 per inch (Depending on material used).
2. Do you have tough-to-reach spaces in your attic or walls? Open cell spray foam can get into all those nooks and crannies that closed cell simply cannot. It’s a great flexible option.
3. Do you want a more secure structure and stronger walls? Then closed cell is your best option. Its immense density and hardening abilities can actually strengthen anything it’s installed within.
4. What’s your budget? While open cell is much more affordable than closed cell, it doesn’t have the same longevity or ability to insulate in extreme temperatures. So consider both when choosing which is the best investment.