We all want to be comfortable in our homes. In Houston, that means combatting brutal summer temperatures and cold, damp weather in the winter to maintain a comfortable inside temperature. If the cooling or heating system constantly has to work to keep your home comfortable, well, we’ve all seen July electricity bills. Thermal insulation can help you stay cool (or warm) without emptying your bank account. One great option in insulation is spray foam insulation. Originally, polyurethane was developed and used by the military in the 1940s to create isolative seals in their airplanes. But in the 1970’s it began to be used as insulation in commercial buildings. They found that those buildings treated with a polyurethane spray foam had considerably less energy loss. Studies by the Department of Energy show that 40 percent of a home’s energy is lost as a result of air infiltration through walls, windows and doorways. Spray foam insulation fills all the nooks and crannies that may be missed with normal insulation, leading to the reduction of A/C tonnage and furnace BTUs requirements to keep the home in a comfortable temperature range. Because of this, foam treated homes generally have a significant energy. There are two types of foam that you’ll want to discuss with the professionals handling the installation of your spray foam insulation: open cell and closed cell. Open cell insulation has several advantages. It is typically less expensive. Its structure allows for more air flow and reduces the chance of mildew. Additionally, it dampens sound. Closed cell is more expensive, but it has a higher R-value (the measure of thermal resistance). It also provides increased structural integrity. GB General Contractors is experienced with both applications and can help you decide which is best for your home. In addition to increased energy efficiency, what other benefits can you expect from spray foam? We’ve already mentioned mildew resistance, sound dampening and increased structural integrity. Spray foam is also a better fire retardant. Allergies are a troublesome issue for many families, so for many it’s great news that spray foam provides a healthier indoor air quality. One product, the Icynene Insulation System is specifically mentioned as a healthy option by the Healthy House Institute. While other natural insulations may be targeted by termites or wood-ants, leaving them plenty of space to take up residence in your walls, spray foam helps seal out these pests. And even more good news – spray foam insulation does not shrink or settle over time, so you can look forward to only having to deal with insulation once in your home’s lifetime. Anyone who has ever been in an attic in the Gulf Coast in August knows how intolerably hot it gets up there. Spray foam insulation lowers attic temperatures, allowing you to store things safely, without fear of your property being damaged due to extreme heat or moisture. In our next blog post we’ll discuss more questions you might have about spray foam, as well as concerns and discuss a little bit about pricing and how long it takes to recover the cost.]]>
