Purpose of insulation foam is to maintain your house . House Insulation is a material that is used to create barriers reducing the transmission of heat to and from the house. It maintains the home’s temperature in both the summer and the winter. This in turn not only saves energy from heating and cooling but also helps in keeping dust and allergens out.
There are many kinds of insulation widely used in Canada, the USA, and Australia like fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam, and injection foam insulation.
Types of foam insulation
Now that we know what insulation is, let’s go over the 5 most popular types of insulation.
1. Rigid Foam Insulation
Continuous insulation with high R value is provided by rigid foam. It is 1-1.25 cm thick at is 4 feet by 8 feet in area for one sheet. The material is moisture-resistant and does not crack or split when exposed to humidity.
Rigid foam insulation is ideal for garage doors and thin walls. This type of insulation, however, should not be used for thick floors or walls. If you are planning on adding DIY insulation to your garage, this would be a great place to start.
2. Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass Insulation is commonly used in garages, especially in houses with attached garages. Installing fiberglass insulation is easy and inexpensive, which makes it a good choice for DIYers. Here are the types of fiberglass that can be found:
- The garage floor and ceiling will be protected with bats and blankets.
- Gaps and cracks can be filled with this type of insulation by blowing it
You can also use manual pouring, though it will require more effort and renting special equipment. For a polished look and to keep the insulation from collecting dust, cover fiberglass insulation with plastic film.
3. Radiant Barriers and Reflective Insulation Systems
Due to their direct reflection of heat, these insulation systems can reduce the temperature without an air conditioner. An R-value cannot be used to determine their effectiveness, unlike other insulation types.
Radiant and reflective insulation is made with kraft paper or polyethylene bubbles. Aluminum foil is then wrapped around them to create a reflective barrier. It can be used to reflect heat from garage doors. As an attic insulation, it is useful in hotter regions.
4. Cellulose Insulation
Using recycled paper as insulation, cellulose insulation is chemically treated to create fire resistance. Afterwards, the material is blown into cavities and gaps using a blowing machine.
Since this insulation is loose-fill, it is only suitable for finished spaces. This can be used to finish garage walls and ceilings.
5. Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation has the advantage of air sealing. In terms of R-value, this is the highest, but it is also the most difficult to install. Since it is quite expensive, you should install it in the garage only if the area will be used as a living space. Covering nooks and crannies is its only purpose.
Use and Pros of Insulation Foam
Now that you have a general idea of the types of insulation foam, let’s talk about their purpose and benefits.
Moisture resistance
A home is at risk of rot and bacteria growth when water seeps into openings around pipes and vents. As a result, you could sustain costly damage to your home. It is typically necessary to replace insulation that gets wet; however, spray foam keeps its properties even if it gets wet.
Makes your home comfortable
A huge advantage of spray foam is that it prevents temperature fluctuations in a building, particularly if you’re not a fan of drafts. As a result, a consistent environment is maintained in a home or office. The reason is that foam insulation creates an air-tight seal that prevents the elements from entering your home and keeps it warm, dry, and comfortable.
Air Quality Improvement
As one of spray foam’s major benefits, it minimizes indoor pollutants, including dust, mold, mildew, and pollen. The walls of your office or home are the main entry point for allergens, not a window or door. Air quality is also affected by pest waste, but insects and rodents aren’t attracted to spray foam since it’s not a good food source or nesting material. Consider foam insulation if you want to minimize allergy and asthma symptoms, or chemical sensitivities.
Noise dampening
Because foam insulation blocks road traffic and neighboring rooms, you won’t have to worry about hearing them. By filling cracks and crevices with spray foam, outside sounds won’t travel indoors. When you install insulation, sound waves are absorbed and your walls are sound-proofed, resulting in a quieter home or office.
Saving Energy costs
With foam insulation, you don’t have to pay excessive energy bills. In the long run, foam insulation will save you money on energy costs, even though it seems pricey up front. Drafts, air leaks around openings, and outdated heating and cooling systems could waste up to a third of the total $2,000 an average person spends annually on energy, states the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Spray foam insulation expands and seals cracks and holes, removing the need for utility systems to compensate for lost air. Generally, both open-cell and closed-cell spray foam pay for themselves after three to five years. It is also common for energy-efficient homes to have a higher home value since they are more appealing to potential homebuyers.
So there you have it, now that you know the purpose and benefits of insulation foam, consider installing it in your home or replacing it if the existing foam needs to be replaced.
