Why you should use spray foam insulation
Acoustic Insulation Benefits
Low density Polyurethane Foam Insulation has excellent sound absorption properties and sound transmission properties. When comparing polyurethane foam to other insulations, there is a very noteworthy difference. As an effective air seal, it gets rid of the air gaps through which sound travels theeasiest. Low density polyurethane foam Insulation is far greater in controlling mid-range frequencies that include the most common sounds, the human voice and stereo music.
Increased Insulation
When traditional R3.5 fiberglass batts are field installed using traditional methods, the result is an effective value of only R2.45. Much is lost in inexact fitting, ineffective air barrier and broken vapour barrier. Polyurethane foam howeverdoes not suffer from the installation challenges of traditional woolbatts.
Enhanced Air Barrier Properties
Spray foam insulation is able to prevent air leaks much more effectively than other types of insulation. Typical insulation materials like rigid foam board or fibreglass batts can slip out of place over a period of time, leaving places for air to penetrate the home. Additionally, these materials seldom fill the entire roof cavity, which means air can usually find a way into the house between the sections of insulation, or at the top or bottom of the wall. Polyurethane spray foam fills the whole area, leaving less gaps for air leaks. This material is also more dense than most other insulators, and provides a tight, impenetrable barrier to air infiltration and leaks.
Enhanced Energy Efficiency in the Home
Air barrier sealing and a enhanced under floor insulation material result in increased energy efficiency. This typically means a reduction in the use of heating or cooling systems, this can result in lower energy bills and greatly fewer carbon emissions. A well insulated home may even allow you to opt for smaller air conditioning and heating systems, which can save both money and space.
Roof Insulation rarely sags or breaks down
Polyurethane Foam insulation bonds to the surrounding substrates as it is installed. This bond holds the foam in place for the life of the building ensuring its effectiveness lasts offering ongoing savings.
Cost Savings
Even though polyurethane spray foam insulation is more often more expensive than common batts or rigid insulators, it’s real cost may actually be much lower. Spray foam serves as insulator, vapor barrier, and moisture barrier, eliminating the need for exterior caulking, building paper, and separate vapor barriers. Not only does the home owner save the cost of these materials, but there is extra installation saving. Rather than buying and installing four or more products, a single application of spray foam can be used instead. When the cost of spray foam is compared to the total cost of batts and related weatherproofing systems, foam actually is more affordable option. In addition, the higher R-value of foam equals a greater reduction in energy bills is likely, resulting in a shorter payback period for this project.
Flexibility
Due to the fact that polyurethane foam expands to fill a voic, the foam offers many benefits to those requiring a flexible roof insulation. It is at it’s most useful when filling oddly-shaped spaces, or those subject to some type of obstruction. Spray foam also allows for smaller, skinnier walls, which means greater flexibility with living space. Finally, because foam insulation is so versatile, builders have far greater flexibility when it comes to framing designs. While rigid insulation requires adequate spacing between studs, polyurethane foam can easily be sprayed into any size void. For more information on spray foam insulation contractors visit www.insulbarrier.com.au