Insultech Spray Foam

We also want to get potential home buyers and commercial building developers on board. We want all builders to know that as energy prices continue to climb, that potential home buyers or commercial property leasers are going to be drawn to structures that provide lower utility bills.  This is more than a trend, it's becoming a necessity; especially with spec homes and commercial properties.

In the case of spec homes and non-custom commercial properties, we will provide materials for outside to promote that not only does this property produce lower utility bills, but that your construction company is on board with building structures that save energy.  We will also include any builder that works with us in the bulk of our ad campaigns (where space is available). Now, let's answer the question, "Why spray foam insulation?

Measuring for the best in insulation means looking at three key points: absorption rate, conductive heat resistance, and convective heat resistance.
 
First, absorption rate.  This refers to the amount of time it takes for the insulation to become the same temperature it is outside of the wall it is in.  In the case of fiberglass insulation, that absorption rate is only five hours, whereas with spray foam insulation that rate is closer to 54 hours.  So unless you live in Alaska, spray foam insulation is virtually unaffected. 

Conductive heat resistance in this case refers to the ability of an insulation product to prevent the transmission of energy (heat for example) through it.  Spray foam insulation has one of the highest themal resistance levels; much higher than the less expensive alternatives.  What this means for you is the temperature in your home or building is maintained at a much higher level.  So your heating and cooling units run an average of 40% less, which becomes money in your pocket and helps the environment through massive energy savings.

Now we will look at convective losses. A convective loss or convective gain of heat is caused by a leak to the outdoors. Depending on the climate, up to 40% of a building's heat loss or gain is due to gaps and cracks in the insulation. Traditional fiberglass does a good job of acting like a blanket for your house, however air can pass right through it. Spray foam is an airtight, spray in place solution that will cut convection losses down to almost non- existent. This airtight effect also keeps out pollen, dust, and other pollutants. This picture shows how spray foam insulation completely fills all those potential gaps and cracks.

 An industry standard form of measuring the effectiveness of insulation known commonly as an insulation’s R Value. It is said the higher the R Value the better the insulation. When using spray foam insulation however, R-value has to be viewed in it's true form.  R-Values are determined in laboratories, which do not contain important things like wind and humidity; and they are at a constant temperature of 72 degrees.  If you lived in these conditions, there would be no need for insulation at all.  In real climates, the R-Value of other cheaper alternatives, drops significantly.  When you use spray foam insulation, the R-Value is virtually unaffected.  As a result, we don’t have to put in near as much insulation or nearly as high of an R-Value to easily out-perform the cheaper alternatives. The result you achieve is a much more comfortable home or building, and a much lower utility bill.

One inch of fiberglass insulation has an R value of R-3.14.  Just to give you the R-value comparison, one inch of the 1.2 pound open cell foam that we use in your walls is approximately 5.  The 2 pound closed cell foam has an R-value of approximately 7; but very few inches of spray foam insulation will out perform many inches of other conventional forms of insulation. The reason is that an R-38 batt, for example, of conventional forms of insulation , in real climates and winds, will perform inconsistantly and at a much lower R-value. This is due to their inability to create an airtight seal. 

Another unseen advantage in the spray foam products we install is the health risk associated with others.  Spray foam is 100% non-toxic, while fiberglass is dangerous to inhale, or even touch. All things considered, spray foam’s characteristics create a safer and more efficient insulation.