Monday, September 29, 2008

Save Energy - Insulate Your Home

When thinking about home insulation, there are alternatives to traditional fibreglass. Spray Foam Insulation is gaining popularity because of its many benefits.

What is it?

Spray foam insulation is made of polyurethane. Two liquids pumped and applied to the surface at the appropriate ratio expand to form a continuous insulation barrier.

The Pros

Higher R-Value
Compared to other materials, spray foam insulation has the highest R-value per thickness. The desired R-value can therefore be reached with less thickness.

Air barrier
Spray polyurethane foam insulation expands to fill and seal all crack in hard to reach places. This type of insulation prevents air infiltration (air entering your home) and air exfiltration (air exiting your home). Since certain types of spray foam insulation are approved air barriers, a separate vapour barrier is not required.

Health
Once spray foam insulation has been applied, it is inert. It does not emit gasses and does not react with anything. It does not support bacteria or fungus growth.

Since this method of insulating your home creates an efficient thermal break between the extreme outdoor temperatures and the indoor temperatures, condensation is virtually eliminated removing the possibility for mould or fungus to grow.

The Cons

Spray foam insulation is not for the do-it-yourselfer. Certified contractors are required to apply this method of insulation.

The Cost

The cost of having spray foam insulation installed is roughly 2 times that of traditional materials. However, the higher R-value and air sealing will save you 30% to 50% on your energy bills. Typical payback of spray foam insulation is less than 5 years!





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