Spray Foam Insulation Pros and Cons

1. Spray Foam Insulation Pros and Cons For us here at Warmaroof, opting for spray foam is a no-brainer. No matter how we look at it, it comes up on top as the best insulation method time after time. To help you see why we feel this way, we’ve put together our spray foam insulation pros and cons… THE PROS OF SPRAY FOAM INSULATION THERMAL COMFORT AND EFFICIENCY Spray foam stops warm air escaping and also entering, meaning you get an optimal temperature all year around. This thermal efficiency for your home means that you put less pressure on your heating, reducing your energy bills and saving you money. REDUCED HARMFUL EMISSIONS Wasting carbon is a big no-no – being eco-friendly is the way forward. Energy is required to heat up your boiler and warm your home, and if that heat is escaping, your boiler must work for longer and churn harder than if your home was insulated. When the temperature reaches your instruction on the thermostat, it is maintained, but in an

2. uninsulated home, it will start decreasing very quickly. Less heating means less carbon usage, which means fewer emissions. Winning! STRUCTURAL SUPPORT For older homes, the frame, the walls and the cavities might not be what they used to. Thankfully, spray foam expands rapidly and then solidified, providing an extra layer of structural support to your home. AIR SEALING PROPERTIES When you choose an alternative to spray foam, like fibreglass batts, you are vulnerable to sagging, which happens when the insulation ages and starts letting air through it, usually around the edges. This doesn’t happen with spray foam, as long as it’s applied correctly. Air passing through a wall is one thing, but to pass through faulty insulation is simply down to choosing the wrong insulation, or having it installed badly. NO SAGGING Traditional insulation types are not designed for longevity, but spray foam is. In fact, spray foam insulation is so resilient that the odds of it outlasting your property are quite high! It will last for decades upon decades without sagging, which happens with traditional insulation types as they age, allowing air to start passing through and around it. Once there is sag, the insulation needs replacing. NO ALLERGENS We only work with spray foam that has been health and safety tested, and one thing that is important to us is that the insulation does not cause any health problems. Not only is the material itself anti-allergen, but it’s also anti- microbial, meaning that bacteria and mould cannot grow on it. NOT A FOOD SOURCE FOR ANIMALS Rodents, insects, squirrels and birds are all known to make nests in loft spaces, but with our spray foam, they won’t be getting any free meals with their free accommodation! Some insulation types fall prey to these creatures, who chew through them and break the air seal that makes insulation so effective.

3. SOUNDPROOFING ‘What? I can’t hear you?’. Live under a flight path, by a busy road or have some noisy neighbours? The soundproofing quality of our spray foam insulation is a massive bonus, as it offers nearly the sound quality of noise reduction as professional soundproofing equipment, but with the benefit of insulating your home! NON-FLAMMABLE The last thing you want up in your loft is a large amount of a flammable substance. Instead, our spray foam is fire retardant for up to 30 minutes, as it is coated in an intumescent substance. THE CONS OF SPRAY FOAM INSULATION Spray foam insulation pros and cons wouldn’t be complete without the downsides, and we want to be fair, even if it’s tough to be objective. There are a few pitfalls to spray foam insulation, but as you’ll most likely notice, they come down to the application, not the product. More expensive than other options It’s true, spray foam can cost double or more than traditional insulation methods. However, it lasts more than twice as long, it saves you more money, and it adds more value to your property. Some brands have an odour In the short term, some spray foams can leave a subtle smell in the home, but this only lasts for a few days, and then things are back to normal. Ventilation can reduce the odour. Not thick enough During the application process, if the applier does not use enough spray foam and the insulation is too thin, it can create problems further down the line. To get the right thickness, you should work with a professional. Not applied properly Again, application is so important to spray foam insulation, and if it’s not done right, and gaps are left, the effectiveness reduces massively. Cowboy insulators are able to purchase spray foam for jobs, but that doesn’t mean they know how to use it properly. The potential for DIY is a negative for spray foam. Remember, the product is only as good as the installation. LET US HELP YOU INSULATE YOUR HOME Those are some of our Spray Foam Insulation Pros and Cons. Have they helped inform you? Call us today on 01489 874437 to discuss your home’s insulation needs. Read about Best home Insulation options for 2018 here.