Spray foam is well known for its high insulation and airtight qualities

Spray foam is well known for its high insulation and airtight qualities. This product creates a seal around the walls in your home, stopping drafts from entering and stopping air leaks, which in turn reduces your energy bills and makes your home more comfortable year round. Spray foam is a liquid that adheres to surfaces (wood-framed walls in this case), then expands and hardens. It is very versatile and can be used for a wide range of projects.

The most common way to use spray foam is to insulate new construction rim joist, crawl spaces, attics, and knee walls. It is also great for insulating existing homes, commercial buildings and pole barns. This type of insulation is sprayed into an open cavity and fills cracks, crevices and holes to create a tight seal. It can be sprayed inside of walls, between studs and joists, under floor coverings such as carpet and tile, and around fixtures like light switches and electrical outlets. Spray foam has the ability to conform to any space making it very versatile and easy to work with.

There are two types of spray foam: open cell and closed cell. Closed cell is denser and harder than open cell spray foam. Open cell spray foam is more flexible and soft and allows you to get into the nooks and crannies that closed cell can’t. Both offer a high R-value.

A spray can of foam can be a handy tool to keep in the garage. Spray foam can help with small projects such as fixing a loose shower head. Just squirt a little of the expanding foam around the base of the shower head, let it set up until it’s stiff and the problem is solved! You can also use this technique to firm up loose or wobbly items such as shelving and window sills.

One thing that some people are concerned about with spray foam is the health hazards associated with it. The chemicals used in spray foam production, typically methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), are extremely toxic. The manufacturing process produces dioxins and furans, which are carcinogens and bio-accumulative toxicants. MDI is also a volatile organic compound, meaning that it can easily off gas into the air and can cause respiratory problems.

Spray foam can also be difficult and expensive to remove. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has even suggested that it may have an impact on the valuation of properties where it is applied incorrectly.

However, it’s important to note that these concerns are based on older formulations of spray foam. Many manufacturers have moved to lower GWP blowing agents that are less harmful to the environment. The good news is that the majority of spray foam products on the market today are low GWP, making them a green building option for your next project. In fact, some green building certification programs have banned the use of high GWP spray foam. So be sure to ask your builder what kind of spray foam they are using on your new build or remodel.