Your home is your paradise, your safe haven. It is your job to maintain it in a way that it is safe and can provide you and your family with warmth in the cold days and protect them from the harshness of the summer season.
Foam insulation is one of the major ways in which you can protect your home. Through foam insulation, you:
- Protect your house from heat and cold.
- Block any tiny holes for pests and insects to crawl their way in.
- Fireproof your house to an extent.
- Prevent the growth of mold.
- Sound-proof your house.
- Save up money that would’ve been spent on other, more expensive energy saving improvements.
The R-value of insulation scales the inflow and outflow of heat and cold from the house. However, it is often forgotten that every foam’s insulation has a different R-value which depends on what type of foam you use. The type of foam you use depends on:
- The climate of the area where you live in
- Total budget of the project and your affordability
- The design and structure of your home
Climate
The r-value is basically the resistance to external and internal sources of energy transfers. This is why climate is the biggest factor of R-value determination.
Warmer Climates: Warmer climates mean the insulation is installed in order to protect your house from the heat outside. Because of this, the R-Value, or the thickness of your foam installed, should have a R-value of about R-30 to R-49.
Moderate climate: A moderate climate means the area is affected by both heat and cold. The foam needs to be such that the house doesn’t get to warm in the summers and doesn’t free you and your family in the winters. Therefore, the R-Value needs to range from R-38 to R-60.
Cold Climates: Colder climates suffer from long lasting winters and mild summers. The battle of residents in such climates is against winter chills and potential frost bites. Foam insulations in such environments need to represent an R-value of R-49 to R-60.
When referring to foam insulation, spray foam or SPF is the most widely-used insulation method, especially across North America. Spray polyurethane foam is a heat-activated polymer created by mixing two ingredients. The liquid is sprayed on the walls and in no time, it hardens due to the chemical reaction between the two ingredients.
Open cell insulation
Open cell SPF is a thinner layer of foam insulation and has a weaker insulating power due to a lesser R-Value (about 2-3.5 per inch). This type of foam insulation is best to using in location having a warmer climate.
Closed cell insulation
This is a denser and thicker form of insulation foam. Being harder, stronger and more rigid in structure, this insulation prevents air and water vapors from escaping.
The determination of your foam’s R-Value depends on all such factors. It is necessary you keep these in mind as you can’t have too much or too less of an insulation.