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Eco Comfort Spray Foam Insulation & 3lb Roofing Foam Systems Inc 1.855.680.2270 | 905.680.2270 Niagara, Hamilton, Toronto & ALL Surrounding Areas
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Learning the Difference b/w 1/2lb and 2lb
Learning the Difference Between 1/2-lb and 2-lb Spray Foam
Spray foam has become popular for its insulation value and air barrier qualities. The plastic material comes in two basic types—[0.2-kg] 1/2-lb and [0.9-kg] 2-lb—and both are used in insulation applications as barriers in buildings. Both of these foams also can help control condensation within buildings and have other environmental benefits.
2-lb SPF can be applied in multiple lifts to achieve various thicknesses for desired R-value and air barrier performance.
1/2-lb foam weighing between 6.4 kg/m3 and 9.6 kg/m3 (0.4 pcf and 0.6 pcf) when fully cured. Spray-applied to a substrate, it expands about 150 times its original volume to form a semi-rigid, non-structural plastic. This foam typically has an R-value of approximately 3.5 per 25.4 mm (1 in.) and typically uses water as the blowing agent. R-value measures resistance to heat flow—the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.
2-lb foam, on the other hand, weighs between 24 kg/m3 and 32 kg/m3 (1.5 pcf and 2 pcf) when fully cured. The material is used in interior applications, spray-applied to a substrate, before expanding about 35 to 50 times its original volume, and forming a rigid plastic with a compressive strength between 103.4 kPa and 172.4 kPa (15 psi and 25 psi). This foam has an (aged) R-value of around 6 per 25.4 mm (1 in.)
Spray foam similarities
As mentioned above, both the 1/2-lb and 2-lb SPFs share many common characteristics. These common qualities are detailed below.
Sealing characteristics
The air barrier system within the building envelope is an important element for controlling moisture/heat transfer, and for preserving structural integrity. Inadequate air barrier systems allow leakage of air through holes, cracks, and gaps in the building envelope. Field experience shows properly installed foam can help significantly improve the energy efficiency of buildings when used as an air leakage control and insulation system. Since 1/2-lb and 2-lb foam is applied as a liquid, it expands in all directions, filling and effectively sealing hundreds of cracks in walls, ceilings, corners, joints, and penetrations that would otherwise allow air ingress.
Thermal barriers
All foam plastic insulation is required by building codes to have a 15-minute thermal barrier covering the insulation on interior applications, unless the application exempted in the code has been approved by a building code official. Approval in this case would be based on full-scale fire tests specific to the particular situation.
Both types of foams can work well in most attics and cathedral ceilings without the
need to ventilate. However, ventilation ducts can maintain desired temperatures more efficiently
because they are in a conditioned space.
Determining the differences between Foams
Despite the shared qualities between 1/2-lb and 2-lb spray foams, it is each foams type’s unique properties that ultimately assist in selecting the proper material for the project.
1/2-lb foam is normally spray-applied to the desired thickness with one pass, while 2-lb foam is spray applied at lifts from 12.7-mm to 38-mm (0.5-in. to 1.5-in.) until the desired total thickness is achieved. Excess foam can be trimmed easily with saws or knives, however, most applications do not require full stud thickness, meaning trimming is usually, unnecessary. For example,foam installed at 51-mm (2-in.) thickness between 2x4 studs requires a minimal cleaning on the stud face. However, foam installed to full stud thickness requires additional trimming with a specially designed trimming tool.
Sound absorption
Both 1/2-lb and 2-lb foams have air barrier qualities that can help reduce noise from outside the building envelope (i.e. airplanes and car traffic). The 1/2-lb foam’s density offers additional sound absorbing qualities, however, neither foam is exceptionally effective at reducing vibrational impact noises.
Permeance
Moisture has two primary means for entry into/through the building envelope—water vapor diffusion and air leakage. As mentioned above, the excellent air barrier qualities of both 1/2-lb and 2-lb foam helps effectively preclude the latter, however, the foam types differ when it comes to vapor diffusion.
The higher the material’s permeance, the faster water vapor can pass through. Controlling water vapor within a building is important for preventing condensation, mold growth, and subsequent damage to building components. There are two basic types of moisture control within buildings:
1. The ‘flow-through design,’ which allows water vapor to pass through the building assembly’s components without condensing.
2. The vapor retarder design, which limits the moisture entering the building assembly altogether.
A 1/2-lb foam ranges between 6 perms and 10 perms, with a 76-mm (3-in.) thickness of material. Its high permeability allows for the fairly rapid diffusion of water vapor, so the material often requires a vapor retarder element in the building assembly. In some cases, this could be part of the assembly, and requires no additional vapor retarder material. (When this is necessary, it is typically used on the insulation’s warm side.)
2-lb foam typically has a permeance of less than 1 perm at 76-mm (3-in.), and can be used in flow-through designs without a vapor retarder. Exceptions include situations where there is a constant vapor drive in one direction (i.e. natatoriums and cold storage facilities), or when there is a vapor retarding material on the assembly’s cool side.
Water absorption
1/2-lb foam has a high open-cell content (greater than 50 percent) and liquid water can enter the foam. Conversely, 2-lb foam has a high closed-cell content (greater than 90 percent) and resists water absorption. In a building assembly, the latter foam offers added weather or rain barrier protection.
2-lb SPF can be applied in multiple lifts to achieve various thicknesses for desired R-value and air barrier performance.
1/2-lb foam weighing between 6.4 kg/m3 and 9.6 kg/m3 (0.4 pcf and 0.6 pcf) when fully cured. Spray-applied to a substrate, it expands about 150 times its original volume to form a semi-rigid, non-structural plastic. This foam typically has an R-value of approximately 3.5 per 25.4 mm (1 in.) and typically uses water as the blowing agent. R-value measures resistance to heat flow—the higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.
2-lb foam, on the other hand, weighs between 24 kg/m3 and 32 kg/m3 (1.5 pcf and 2 pcf) when fully cured. The material is used in interior applications, spray-applied to a substrate, before expanding about 35 to 50 times its original volume, and forming a rigid plastic with a compressive strength between 103.4 kPa and 172.4 kPa (15 psi and 25 psi). This foam has an (aged) R-value of around 6 per 25.4 mm (1 in.)
Spray foam similarities
As mentioned above, both the 1/2-lb and 2-lb SPFs share many common characteristics. These common qualities are detailed below.
Sealing characteristics
The air barrier system within the building envelope is an important element for controlling moisture/heat transfer, and for preserving structural integrity. Inadequate air barrier systems allow leakage of air through holes, cracks, and gaps in the building envelope. Field experience shows properly installed foam can help significantly improve the energy efficiency of buildings when used as an air leakage control and insulation system. Since 1/2-lb and 2-lb foam is applied as a liquid, it expands in all directions, filling and effectively sealing hundreds of cracks in walls, ceilings, corners, joints, and penetrations that would otherwise allow air ingress.
Thermal barriers
All foam plastic insulation is required by building codes to have a 15-minute thermal barrier covering the insulation on interior applications, unless the application exempted in the code has been approved by a building code official. Approval in this case would be based on full-scale fire tests specific to the particular situation.
Both types of foams can work well in most attics and cathedral ceilings without the
need to ventilate. However, ventilation ducts can maintain desired temperatures more efficiently
because they are in a conditioned space.
Determining the differences between Foams
Despite the shared qualities between 1/2-lb and 2-lb spray foams, it is each foams type’s unique properties that ultimately assist in selecting the proper material for the project.
1/2-lb foam is normally spray-applied to the desired thickness with one pass, while 2-lb foam is spray applied at lifts from 12.7-mm to 38-mm (0.5-in. to 1.5-in.) until the desired total thickness is achieved. Excess foam can be trimmed easily with saws or knives, however, most applications do not require full stud thickness, meaning trimming is usually, unnecessary. For example,foam installed at 51-mm (2-in.) thickness between 2x4 studs requires a minimal cleaning on the stud face. However, foam installed to full stud thickness requires additional trimming with a specially designed trimming tool.
Sound absorption
Both 1/2-lb and 2-lb foams have air barrier qualities that can help reduce noise from outside the building envelope (i.e. airplanes and car traffic). The 1/2-lb foam’s density offers additional sound absorbing qualities, however, neither foam is exceptionally effective at reducing vibrational impact noises.
Permeance
Moisture has two primary means for entry into/through the building envelope—water vapor diffusion and air leakage. As mentioned above, the excellent air barrier qualities of both 1/2-lb and 2-lb foam helps effectively preclude the latter, however, the foam types differ when it comes to vapor diffusion.
The higher the material’s permeance, the faster water vapor can pass through. Controlling water vapor within a building is important for preventing condensation, mold growth, and subsequent damage to building components. There are two basic types of moisture control within buildings:
1. The ‘flow-through design,’ which allows water vapor to pass through the building assembly’s components without condensing.
2. The vapor retarder design, which limits the moisture entering the building assembly altogether.
A 1/2-lb foam ranges between 6 perms and 10 perms, with a 76-mm (3-in.) thickness of material. Its high permeability allows for the fairly rapid diffusion of water vapor, so the material often requires a vapor retarder element in the building assembly. In some cases, this could be part of the assembly, and requires no additional vapor retarder material. (When this is necessary, it is typically used on the insulation’s warm side.)
2-lb foam typically has a permeance of less than 1 perm at 76-mm (3-in.), and can be used in flow-through designs without a vapor retarder. Exceptions include situations where there is a constant vapor drive in one direction (i.e. natatoriums and cold storage facilities), or when there is a vapor retarding material on the assembly’s cool side.
Water absorption
1/2-lb foam has a high open-cell content (greater than 50 percent) and liquid water can enter the foam. Conversely, 2-lb foam has a high closed-cell content (greater than 90 percent) and resists water absorption. In a building assembly, the latter foam offers added weather or rain barrier protection.
2lb Closed Cell Spray has the highest R-value as compared to all other available types insulation products
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Save on energy in your home today by injecting foam into your exterior walls. Pour foam is an ideal insulation for retrofit applications. Upgrade your exterior wall insulation without removing the existing drywall/plaster.
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se gas emissions per year – because of the way we heat and cool our homes. - 17% of energy used in Canada is used to operate our homes.
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- Increasing your home’s insulation can decrease this energy usage.
- Insulation and air sealing can effectively reduce a home’s greenhouse gas emissions and thereby reduce your ecological footprint. For example, a home with natural gas heating and an average monthly gas bill of $115 could reduce green house gas emissions by as much as 4000 lbs.
- If your home was built before 1985, upgrading your insulation can reduce your energy usage by up to 35%. Moreover, if your home was built prior to 1960, upgrading your homes insulation can decrease its energy usage by over 40%.
- By deciding on the right insulation, the use of gases and VOCs that contribute to climate change or ozone depletion can be minimized.
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There is no better home insulating material that can seal your home from air and moisture intrusion, save on costly utility bills, strengthen your home, and protect your family’s health from dangerous mold, airborne pollutants, and allergens and be ECO friendly than Spray Foam insulation.
Our unique solutions are environmentally friendly without compromising cost or product effectiveness.
There is no better home insulating material that can seal your home from air and moisture intrusion, save on costly utility bills, strengthen your home, and protect your family’s health from dangerous mold, airborne pollutants, and allergens and be ECO friendly than Spray Foam insulation.
Our unique solutions are environmentally friendly without compromising cost or product effectiveness.
Benefits & FAQS of Spray Foam Insulation
- Cost the same as other forms of insulation
- Reduces your energy cost resulting in further savings
- Keeps your family safe from harmful chemicals
- Prevents airborne pollutants and pollen from entering your home
- It is permanent and will not sag
- Stops air and moisture filtration
- Adds strength to the building structure
- Makes your home more comfortable
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We are a fast expanding Spray Foam Insulation Company with 11 years experience. Not only do we believe foam is the way for a GREENER future, we KNOW it is.
Foam is spray applied as a liquid and expands as a foam so it fills every nook, cranny, crevice, crack, hole and gap making a perfect air-tight seal every time, regardless of complex framing. As the temperature drops, convection currents speed up and Fiber Insulations lose their effectiveness. Foam on the other hand stops convection. Wind is not a factor either for Foam due to its continuous air-tight seal. Foam improves indoor air quality and comfort. Since it creates a continuous air-tight seal, dust and other exterior pollutants cannot enter the structure. Also it does not contain any fiber's or loose particles. Also foam increases comfort by decreasing noise. A building sprayed with Foam is proven to be much quieter.
Foam is spray applied as a liquid and expands as a foam so it fills every nook, cranny, crevice, crack, hole and gap making a perfect air-tight seal every time, regardless of complex framing. As the temperature drops, convection currents speed up and Fiber Insulations lose their effectiveness. Foam on the other hand stops convection. Wind is not a factor either for Foam due to its continuous air-tight seal. Foam improves indoor air quality and comfort. Since it creates a continuous air-tight seal, dust and other exterior pollutants cannot enter the structure. Also it does not contain any fiber's or loose particles. Also foam increases comfort by decreasing noise. A building sprayed with Foam is proven to be much quieter.
Information & FAQS
High R-Value
Sprayed polyurethane foam has an aged R-value of approximately 6.0 per 1 inch thickness (depending on the particular formulation and application, higher values have been achieved), enabling it to provide more thermal resistance with less material than any other type of commercial insulation material. SPF systems are frequently used to insulate and protect a wide variety of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Spray Foam has the highest R-value per inch than any other commercial material, (upwards of R-7.0, compared with Fiberglass at R-3.5) making your home more comfortable and less expensive to heat in the winter, and cool in the summer.
Prevents Air, Moisture and Gas Infiltration
Studies have shown that as much as 40% of a building’s total energy loss is due to air infiltration. Traditional fiberglass insulation is only stapled, or placed into the wall cavities and does not seal the stud and wall cavities from end to end, or top to bottom. Air infiltration can pass through these gaps, making it far less efficient than SPF. SPF not only adheres to, but forms to the walls and floors to create a tight seal and insulating barrier that stops this air leakage.
Deadens Sound Travel and Noise
Spray Foam also reduces airborne sound making the home acoustically tighter and more private from room to room.
Helps Reduce Moisture and Mold
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
Spray Foam Saves You Money and Pays for Itself
Spray Foam insulation saves on energy costs and lowers utility bills. Spray Foam is used to seal the entire “building envelope” of your home to prevent air and moisture infiltration. The Department of Energy studies show that 40% of your home’s energy is lost due to air infiltration. This air infiltrates the home in the form of drafts through walls sockets, windows and doorways.
*Often times no expensive building wrap or additional vapour protection is required during construction when using Spray Foam, saving money yet again.
Sprayed polyurethane foam has an aged R-value of approximately 6.0 per 1 inch thickness (depending on the particular formulation and application, higher values have been achieved), enabling it to provide more thermal resistance with less material than any other type of commercial insulation material. SPF systems are frequently used to insulate and protect a wide variety of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Spray Foam has the highest R-value per inch than any other commercial material, (upwards of R-7.0, compared with Fiberglass at R-3.5) making your home more comfortable and less expensive to heat in the winter, and cool in the summer.
Prevents Air, Moisture and Gas Infiltration
Studies have shown that as much as 40% of a building’s total energy loss is due to air infiltration. Traditional fiberglass insulation is only stapled, or placed into the wall cavities and does not seal the stud and wall cavities from end to end, or top to bottom. Air infiltration can pass through these gaps, making it far less efficient than SPF. SPF not only adheres to, but forms to the walls and floors to create a tight seal and insulating barrier that stops this air leakage.
Deadens Sound Travel and Noise
Spray Foam also reduces airborne sound making the home acoustically tighter and more private from room to room.
Helps Reduce Moisture and Mold
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
Spray Foam Saves You Money and Pays for Itself
Spray Foam insulation saves on energy costs and lowers utility bills. Spray Foam is used to seal the entire “building envelope” of your home to prevent air and moisture infiltration. The Department of Energy studies show that 40% of your home’s energy is lost due to air infiltration. This air infiltrates the home in the form of drafts through walls sockets, windows and doorways.
*Often times no expensive building wrap or additional vapour protection is required during construction when using Spray Foam, saving money yet again.
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