The Benefits of Using Polyurethane Spray Foam for Insulation

At BC Spray Insulation, we use a range of different spray foam products. Spray foam has its own building code, and is approved for thermal insulation, air barriers, and vapour barriers. Spray foam can be applied as a liquid that will then expand as foam. As such, it fills every single nook, cranny, crevice, hole, crack and gap making a perfect, continuous air-tight seal every time, regardless of complex framing and penetrations.

Check out this video of BC Spray on site applying a R-20 thermacoustic spray insulation to a parkade. This treatment is also great for sound deadening in warehouses.

Why Spray Foam?

Spray foam has a "Real World" R-Value that is uncompromised by external forces such as temperature and wind. In comparison, fibre insulations such as fibreglass, cellulose and Rockwool, merely slow down convection which accounts for 80% of heat loss. As the temperature drops, convection currents speed up and fibre insulations lose their effectiveness at slowing them down. Spray foam insulation composed of polyurethane offers many benefits which include:

• Stopping convection currents to eliminate condensation, moisture and mold
• Improving air quality – no loose particles, volatile organic compounds, or chlorofluorocarbons
• Providing an air-tight seal – dust and other exterior pollutants cannot enter
• Decreasing noise from exterior environment and interior mechanical systems

What Type of Spray Foam is Needed?

There a couple types of spray foam to make note of when deciding what type is needed: 1/2 lbs open-cell spray foam, and 2 lbs closed-cell spray foam. 1/2 lbs open-cell spray foam is better for soundproofing, but since it is “open-cell” that means that water can easily enter the foam. It costs less per R-Value, and similar to batt insulation it is best when installed in dry spaces – not recommended for basements or crawl spaces.

2 lbs closed-cell spray foam is better for resisting water absorption and it provides a strong barrier to air and vapour, keeping your building or home better insulated. This type of spray foam is the only Class 5 flood damage-resistant insulation option as rated by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). It is very important that 2 lbs closed-cell spray foam is installed properly the first time, and that’s why at BC Spray Insulation we are thoroughly trained in the application of this type of insulation – we always check the thickness and measure everything carefully as we go.

If you have questions about our polyurethane applications or would like more information, feel free to contact us.

An example of box joints that could never be sealed this well with any other product.