The most common products are asphalt and rubber based. As an experienced waterproofing professional I have seen these membranes fail quite regularly. Of course the quality of the spray and experience of the installers is key to a proper installation.

About 90% of the time the waterproofing membrane is covered with 1″-2″ of polystyrene insulation and it is usually attached by shooting nails into the foundation. These 2″ nails being shot into the foundation are a breeding ground for future foundation wall cracks.

So now what???

One inch of Closed-cell spray foam insulation is an approved vapor barrier with permeability being at, or below most asphalt and rubber based waterproofing membranes on the market. Closed-cell foam is approved for exterior and sub-grade applications.

One inch of closed-cell foam has an insulation r-value of between 6-8 depending upon the product. There are endless companies that offer a soy-based closed-cell spray foam insulation which are among the greenest products on the market. Adding a second inch of closed-cell spray foam will bring the r-value to 13 or higher.

So is it cost effective???

There is no doubt in my mind! As stated earlier I am also a waterproofing professional and have not only applied asphalt/rubber based products, I have priced and sold these projects.

These applications range from $.80/sq’ to $2.50/sq’ based on the product, quantity and whether insulation boards are added.

Applying closed-cell foam instead will cost from $.70 to $1.50/sq’ based on quantity and thickness.

So why not let this game changing product do just that! Out with the old and in with the new. It is time that builders learn the benefits of spray foam insulation and all of it’s uses.

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Unfortunately there is no clear cut answer to this question but I will summarize the benfits and disadvantages of each situation.

Using open-cell foam on the underside of a roof deck is an affordable option to obtain a very good R-value in a 10″+ joist cavity and to create that good air-seal which is the most remarkable benefit of all of the spray foam products and literally puts it miles ahead of many other insulation materials.

The greatest debate on this issue is in regards to moisture. Most companies will inform clients interested in open-cell foam on the roof deck that it is recommended that an approved vapor transmission barrier first be applied so as not to saturate the foam and reduce its effectiveness. However, in reality it is no different than installing fiberglass batts or other types of insulation materials as they too would lose 90% of their R-value when wet. We typically explain this to the customer and unless required by the building inspector it is usually overlooked.

So where is the debate? Great question. As an experienced spray foam insulation company we understand the cost-effectiveness of using open-cell products versus closed-cell. There are many local SPF companies that ONLY offer open-cell foam because it is MUCH harder to sell consumers on the benfits of closed-cell when comparing the price.

As a company that offers four different density spray foam products, both soy-based and non-soy, open-cell and closed-cell we know and understand the differences, limitations and most of all the profitability.

Sadly, companies have been using the excuse that closed-cell foam will trap moisture behind the foam causing wood to rot and mold issues. This is entirely a selling tactic and completely false. If your roof is in a condition where it is leaking then those issues should be resolved before ANY type of spray foam is applied to the underside of that roof.

So here is the difference with how the two types of spray foam will be affected by a roof that develops a leak. Closed-cell spray foam acts as a vapor barrier and will not absorb moisture. It will stop the moisture from entering the attic. Due to the heating and cooling effects of the roof the wet portion of the sheathing will typically dry itself out within 24 hours and not lead to any rot of mold issues. This means you will have the same R-value and a dry attic space with no indoor air quality issues caused by intruding moisture.

Open-cell spray foam installed with a vapor barrier should act the same way that closed-cell does because it is not affected by the moisture and the moisture would be “trapped” as the open-cell salesman explained. Without the vapor barrier the open-cell foam would absorb the moisture much like fiberglass and lose 90% of it’s effectiveness until dry. While wet this could potentially lead to a mold issue in the attic due to the added moisture accumulating on organic materials.

So which one is better? You decide!

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There are many different aspects to a properly applied spray foam product including it’s material makeup, application procedures and temperatures and also many other variables.

One major issue with soy-based spray foam insulation is the potential for shrinking. Due to some major research and product development breakthroughs shrinkage of spray foam is becoming less of a headache for spray foam installers and materials manufacturers.

Take a look at the pictures that are provided with this post. It is an image of spray foam applied to the roof deck in an attic space. There are many areas in this particular attic like this and most of them are in areas that have the hot sun beating down on the roof deck for hours every afternoon.

Though this is not a common occurrence, it is much more common on roof decks than any other area of a home. As stated, breakthroughs in the makeup of soy-based spray foam materials have virtually eliminated this occurrence.

If this happens to you…who is responsible? The spray foam installation company, the foam materials manufacturer…? Let us know your opinion, we appreciate it!

Shrinking foam causing gaps in air-seal

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Homepath Products, LLC may have come up with the perfect solution.

The current practice when wiring before spray foam is applied is that whichever wires may be needed should be installed before the foam is applied in every possible area that may one day need said wires. Unfortunately running wires for cable, Cat5 and other cables are usually thought of AFTER the construction is complete.

Here is an excerpt from the article posted on Sprayfoam.com

“Homepath Products suggests that pre-installing a system of spray-foam-friendly cabling pathways will save homeowners time, money and aggravation by making homes readily adaptable to future wiring and broadband needs. With eXapath, adding or upgrading Cat5, Cat6, coaxial, fiber optic, security, audio or automation wiring is simple and practical.”

Here is a link to the full article http://www.sprayfoam.com/npps/story.cfm?nppage=251

Should you have any questions about wiring procedures in preparation for your spray foam project please call 1-877-941-4733 or contact us through our email support@greenbearinnovations.com

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Due to the once again rising costs of crude oil, striclty polyurethane spray foam insulation materials cost is expected to rise rapidly. The materials cost the manufacturer more, thereby costing the spray foam company more. Unfortunately the end result will be an increased cost to the homeowner/builder interested in upgrading to this superinsulating material.

So will spray foam become unaffordable?

No way! Because our soy-based spray foam is rich in soybean oil (made right here in the good old USA) the cost of our materials is not expected to rise, at all. So Green Bear Innovations can continue to offer an excellent soy-based spray foam product for your remodeling, home building and other needs at an EXCEPTIONAL value.

If you are interested in spray foam insulation, get a Free Estimate. Call 1-877-941-4733. You can also check out our website at http://greenbearinnovations.com for more information about our products and wide range of other services.

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