Spray Insulation
Spray insulation involves the use of spray foam in the wall cavity of a finished or an unfinished wall of the house to provide insulation. The insulation contractor would generally use special equipment to mix certain chemicals in particular ratios and spray or inject them into the wall cavities.
Advantages of spray insulation
Wall cavities in finished walls can be filled without the need to tear the walls apart. Smaller gaps and cracks or holes can also be filled easily using spray insulation. Spray insulation is also known to increase structural stability and build resistance to air infiltration because of its property of expansion on curing. Most kinds of chemicals used in spray insulation are also fire-proof. Spray insulation has the added advantage of ease of use even in places where loose-fill cannot be used. In case of smaller insulation tasks at home, even a homeowner or handyman can purchase a small can of spray insulation from any home improvement suppliers or stores and use it easily.
A few disadvantages of spray insulation
Spray insulation does have its own disadvantages. Certain kinds of spray foams may shrink on curing instead of expanding. This may turn out to be a messier job than before. Walls may get damaged and cracks may not be filled up evenly leading to moisture and vapor condensation as well as air infiltration. Most spray insulation materials also require protection from sunlight and other solvents. Over a period of time, they may lose their trapped gases and result in reduction in insulating effectiveness.
Some types of spray insulation
Spray insulation may include one or many chemicals mixed together. Polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, phenolic are some chemicals commonly used in spray insulation cans. Polyurethane is another chemical that is widely used since it is fire-resistant and expands on curing. A variety of chemicals are used by insulation contractors for home insulation purposes. The features vary and so does the cost depending upon the chemical and quantity of spray foam used in the insulation and also the area covered under insulation. It is advisable to hire a spray insulation contractor to estimate the cost as well as undertake a large insulation activity.