Attic Insulation Closed Cell Foam

Closed cell spray foam r values why spray foam insulation is so effective in meeting code requirements is that it has a higher r value per inch of product used than batts.

Attic insulation closed cell foam.

Our builders encouraged closed cell spray foam as it is the best r factor per inch of insulation. R tech rigid foam insulation. Closed cell foam has a higher r value than open cell foam usually about 6 0 per inch. R tech is available with factory adhered metallic reflective facers white facers or a combination of the two.

Closed cell foam can also add to the structural strength of the roof system which can make it a more appealing choice in locations that frequently endure high winds. Whereas blown in insulation works by filling the. The american lung association also recommends it for a different reason. Closed cell foam can also increase the racking.

It is the best for mold prevention. In the worst cases homeowners have been plagued by horrible smells that could only be addressed by painstaking and expensive removal of the foam they d already paid good money for. A foams r value is its resistance to heat flow or in other words how well they insulate. There is 300 difference there but the cost they give you is about a third difference and open cell foam at 12 inches will not give you the performance of 2 inches of closed.

Insulating value and strength open cell foam has an r value of about 3 5 to 3 7 per inch while closed cell foam has an r value of about 6 per inch. Intumescent coatings are not always needed to coat spray foam in the attic in order to meet code thermal barrier requirements. Since closed cell foam has a higher r value per inch installers generally spray 2 in walls and 3 in rooflines to meet the energy code requirements of r 13 and r 19 respectively. For example closed cell spray foam depending on brand can offer an r 6 or r 7 per inch.

Because it requires professional installation closed cell foam insulation is pricey but it offers r 6 thermal value for every inch of thickness. This can result all if your spray polyurethane foam insulation gets botched by someone who simply doesn t understand the science of proper application. But some closed cell foams like tiger foam s e84 closed cell formula have even higher ratings that go up to almost 7 per inch. We live in minneapolis so we really care about that.

Open cell foam weighs 1 2 pound per cubic foot and closed cell weighs 2 lbs per cubic foot. Closed cell foam can be over three times that with a density of 1 75 pounds per cubic foot or more.