Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are the differences between SPRAY FOAM products?
Independent laboratory tests reveal no significant differences between most major product suppliers. All modern spray foam products are designed to be within certain product tolerances as well as specifications. What matters most is finding a quality installer like CertaFoam. All installed foam is not created equal. Minor variations can and will make a significant difference within one finished product to the next.
How much will I save in utility costs by foam insulating my house?
A lot of variables come into play when trying to evaluate cost savings by upgrading to foam insulation. While we could confirm that foam does indeed save you on utility costs, it is very hard to give an exact range of savings, as no two homes are alike.

Such variables include building square footage, air infiltration through windows and doors, sun exposure, as well as HVAC configuration. All the above can have a huge impact on your home as a complete system. It is best to seek advice from an energy consultant to determine what would work best for your unique project as well as discussing potential savings that should be expected.

Which is better, open or closed-cell spray foam insulation?
Both systems offer significant advantages over fiber-based insulation: ability to air seal; ability to fill cracks and conform to odd shaped cavities; and ability to hold their shape over time and under adverse conditions. But only closed-cell foam has the thermal insulation value (R-value) to bring your building up to Energy Star® standards with only one-half the thickness required for fiber insulation. In addition, closed-cell foam products increases the strength of your wall system (it’s approximately doubled) and increases the water resistance of your building’s exterior.
How does closed-cell spray foam provide moisture protection, yet still breathe?
Unlike cellulose and fiberglass materials, closed-cell foam insulation is impervious to water penetration and wicking. Yet, like Gortex® fabric, the closed-cell structure allows the diffusion of water vapor (high energy particles) to allow your building’s envelope to “breathe”. Liquid water has much larger particles and is unable to pass into or through a closed-cell foam barrier.
Won’t sealing my building lead to indoor air quality problems?
Your building does need to be ventilated. Most design professionals will advise you to seal the structure as tight as possible and provide the necessary ventilation through the heating and air conditioning system. Many systems employ an “air exchanger” which is designed to pre-condition (either warm or cool) the incoming outside air with the outgoing exhaust air. In this manner, you can build an extremely energy efficient exterior shell using spray polyurethane foam while still providing controlled and energy efficient ventilation.
Will spray polyurethane insulation deteriorate over time?
Ultra-violet light (sunlight) will cause the foam to degrade over time, so polyurethanes applied to surfaces that will be subjected to sunlight (an outdoor tank) will need to be covered or coated with a UV barrier coating. For interior applications as in your house walls, we are not aware of anything that will degrade the foam. We’ve looked at 20-year old spray foam projects when remodeling required the walls be opened, and have not observed any signs of deterioration. We expect your CertaFoam. insulation system to insulate and seal your building for the life of the structure.
Does spray polyurethane foam contain formaldehyde?

NO! 

I understand that foam insulation saves me 40% and upward on my utility bills as well as added comfort. By what mechanism(s) allow it to do so?

Short answer.

Lack of air infiltration provided by an airtight seal when applied.

Long answer.

In addition to air sealing properties, spray foam is a thermoset plastic insulation system. The finished product is a  custom mold of the exterior envelope of your house, thus filing every nook and cranny.

Being plastic also gives way to the natural advantage plastic has to offer when it comes to heat transfer or should we say lack thereof. Think along the lines of a Dunkin Donuts foam coffee cup or lining of an igloo foam cooler. Better yet pull back the exterior lining on your freezer and guess what you will find? foam insulation!

Modern foam plastics are a very unique modern marvel with very many uses, in addition to being able to air seal they also have the ability to efficiently mitigate all three forms of heat transfer found below –

Conductive Heat Transfer

The flow of thermal energy through a substance from a higher to a lower temperature region. That of which is akin to heat transfer from a stove element.

Foam thermoset plastics block conductive heat transfer due in part to having very loose molecular bonds; In addition the cells of the installed spray foam are either filled with air in the case of open cell foam or 245fa in closed cell foam.

245fa gas found in closed cell insulation is very similar in molecular structure to argon gas, used in high end window systems to block radiant heat from the sun in the cooling months as well as helping to keep radiant heat in the house during the heating months.

Radiant Heat Transfer

The process by which energy in the form of heat is emitted by a warm surface, traveling at the speed of light and does not require a medium to carry it. That of which is similar to the warmth we feel from our sun or that of a fireplace.

One of the most interesting attributes to plastic thermoset foams, such as spray foam insulation is the ability to reflect radiant heat. This is due to the reflective surface within the cell structure of the foam molecules themselves.

Convective Heat Transfer

Heat which is created elsewhere that is transported by means of a fluid, such as water or in our case air. That of which is similar to the heat you feel through the vents of your automobile when the heat is on or that of a convective oven.

As Stated above spray foam insulations most important attribute is the ability to air seal creating a custom airtight envelope within the building structure. The added benefit to air sealing is the ability to block convective heat transfer from interior to exterior during heating months and vice versa during cooling months, as the heat cannot escape through gaps in the buildings envelope without the aid of air movement from infiltration as a means of transport.