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There are many insulation options for your home, and while many people choose traditional batts or loose fiber, spray foam insulation is becoming more and more popular for its many benefits. Spray foam insulation is a great way to better control your energy bills. If you would like to know more, keep reading.
What Is Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray foam insulation is a polyurethane foam, and it's applied wet and then quickly dries and hardens. Installers spray the foam directly into wall cavities and the attic. The types of spray foam include open and closed cell foam insulation. Closed cell foam cells are fully encapsulated, making them harder and more durable. Open-cell foam cells are left open, making them more flexible.
What Are the Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation?
The leading benefit of spray foam insulation is the high R-value. The R-value measures how well a material withstands the transfer of heat. All construction materials have an R-value, but insulation usually has a high R-value since it's designed to insulate, but not all insulation is equal.
Loose fiberglass typically has the lowest R-value at R-2.2 to 2.9, but spray foam insulation has an R-value of R-5.6 to 8.0. For this reason, you can use a lot less spray foam insulation to reach the desired R-value. Ideally, your attic insulation should total R-38 to R-49, depending on your climate. Colder climates need more insulation, so a higher R-value is better.
In addition, spray foam insulation expands as it dries. This means it spreads to every crevice, allowing it to better seal and insulate the attic or wall. On top of that, closed-cell foam insulation may add structural integrity to the house because of its durability.
How Much Does Spray Foam Insulation Cost?
The exact cost depends on many factors, including:
- The cost of labor
- The size of the project
- The type of spray foam (open vs. closed)
- Accessibility
If you need to open walls, you may need to pay extra. On average, however, you'll pay between $1,284 and $3,741 for spray foam insulation. However, in turn, you will see reduced energy bills, making it easy to recoup much of the investment.
Spray foam insulation is a great option because it has a great R-value. Regardless of whether you choose open or closed, you should see energy savings. If you would like to know more, contact an insulation expert in your area today.