Interior Spray Foam

Interior spray foam insulation, for buildings, eliminates drafts and makes a structure highly energy efficient which makes it more comfortable to be in all year. This type of spray on insulation is considered to be the best, home, wall insulation or attic insulation by far.

The first thing you need to know about interior spray foam insulation, or commonly called wall foam, is there are two main types:

Open-cell and Closed-cell

When it comes time to actually put the spray on insulation, like interior spray foam insulation, in your home or commercial building structure, you must know if you are buying 0.5 lb./cu. ft. (open cell) or 2.0 lb./cu. ft. (closed cell). This makes a big difference in cost and performance. The lb./cu. ft. refers to density. The less dense the interior spray foam insulation is, the softer it makes it. This affects R-value and insulation performance.

Open-cell interior spray foam insulation is where tiny cells of the spray foam are open. These half open cells have air in them instead of trapped gas. This makes the interior spray foam insulation weaker or softer feeling than closed-cell foam. Open cell spray foam insulation typically weighs in at 0.4 to 0.5 lb./cu. ft.

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is formed with small and tiny cells of the spray foam that are closed.

Having Tillotson Enterprises install a closed-cell spray foam insulation instead of cellulose, you’ll get a seamless air barrier that eliminates air leakage in the building envelope. This, in turn will allow the use of smaller HVAC equipment, reduce sound transmission, and help prevent outdoor air infiltration and the penetration of dust, pollen and other allergens.

Higher energy efficiency – Exceptional air sealing and R-values result in heating and cooling cost savings. Drafts are virtually eliminated and a more constant and comfortable indoor environment and temperature is maintained.

Better moisture and condensation control – Closed-cell spray foam offers superior performance in resisting moisture transmission and condensation.

Increases structural strength – Research has shown 2x4 stud walls with closed-cell spray foam can support significantly greater loads than other insulation materials.

Improved indoor air quality – Helps prevent the introduction of dust, pollen and other allergens into the living environment. An excellent choice for people with allergy problems.

Helps control insects and rodents – Closed-cell foam helps control insects and rodents from entering the building because it acts as a continuous and seamless building envelope barrier.

Can be used in wide range of applications – Can be used in both wood and metal framed structures, including walls, floors, ceilings, under roof decks, on attic floors, crawl spaces, basements and foundations.

Interior spray foam insulation improves the building envelope

The building envelope contains several construction systems, materials and design components that control the temperature, movement of air, and moisture both into and out of the building. A building’s insulation, air barrier and vapor barrier all need to work together to achieve a stable environment.

Build it Tight, Ventilate Right.
Ventilating the attic and crawl spaces has been the requirement of a traditional code method. Ventilation of these spaces was required because standard materials and building design were not capable of addressing radiant heat transfer, condensation, and the results of “stack-effect issues.” Therefore, the answer to address heat transfer, the formation of moisture from condensation and air infiltration, was to ventilate these attics and crawl spaces.

Spray foam insulation for attic or vented spaces

Today attics are vented through gable, soffit, and ridge vents in the roof. Using spray on insulation in attics with design principles from architect or builders using traditional vented attics insulation. Here Insulation is laid on attic floor to insulate the ceiling from heat or cold. In spray on insulation, like spray foam insulation, we simply replace traditional fiberglass batts, or cellulose, with spray foam. This vented system is the most common in the US, but may not be the most effective. A vented attic will become approximately 130-degrees in the summer. This makes air-conditioning have to work harder and, also can create moisture and mold problems. Spray foam insulation creates a thermal barrier between the attic and the temperature controlled living or working spaces below.