Understanding Spray Foam Insulation - Common Spray Foam Terms & Definitions

Common Spray Foam Terms & Definitions

As an industry professional in the spray foam insulation, and other foam products, we often forget when trying to educate our customer during the initial consultation that we use terms and words that might not make sense to the customer.  As in any industry where your repeating a process over and over, slang is developed, and when we carry it over as a sales professional or customer service representative by accident, and it can often make it hard for the customer to envision the final product and energy savings model.  So the point of this blog post is to list some of the common terms used in the spray foam insulation industry, and exactly what these terms mean, and why these terms have been developed and used by spray foam insulation contractors in the South Carolina & North Carolina areas. Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about spray foam insulation:

Q: What is the "building envelope"?
A: The building envelope is simply the area that separates conditioned space from unconditioned space.  The building envelope is very important when determining energy efficiency and spray foam insulation is the only way to achieve the best building envelope design.

Q: What is the difference between Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation vs. Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation?
A: There are a lot of differences between open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation, however the scientific difference is that cells in open cell spray foam stay open and the cells in closed cell spray foam insulation are closed.  This lends to the differences in look, feel, and qualities.  Where as open cell is good for attic rafters and walls in most homes because of price and insulation building codes, closed cell is a better product for crawlspaces, outdoor areas, and areas prone to moisture.  The best way to find out what is better for your project is to ask a spray foam insulation professional.

Q: How much will installing spray foam insulation save me on my utility bills in North Carolina and South Carolina?
A: Spray foam insulation generally saves homeowners in the Carolina's 33% or more utility cost.  Results vary depending on size, age of home, and other factors, however most of our customers see 33% or better in savings on utility cost.

Q: What kind of tax credits are available for installing spray foam insulation?
A: There are tax credits for installing energy star rated home improvement products for up to 30% of the cost with no upper limit.  Tax credits apply to new and existing homes, in addition to principal residences and second homes. Rental Property does not qualify for these tax credits. Spray Foam Insulation is an Energy Star Rated Home Improvement product.  Tax Credits will expire in December of 2016.  For more information visit the Energy Star tax credit information section on their website at: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index 

Q: How much more does spray foam insulation cost vs. traditional fiberglass insulation?
A: Spray Foam Insulation generally runs about 50% more in initial cost then traditional fiberglass insulation, however the payoff on investment for spray foam insulation is almost 3 times faster than with traditional fiberglass insulation.  Also, spray foam insulation is a lifetime product, meaning it will be the last time you have to insulate your home.  Larger tax credits are also more common for spray foam insulation, helping to make spray foam insulation almost as affordable as fiberglass insulation if your willing to wait on the tax credits.

Q: Can I install sheet rock or other wall coverings over spray foam insulation?
A: Yes. Spray Foam Insulation can be scarfed or cut back flush with wall studs, ceiling rafters, or roof rafters, making sheet rocking or interior finishes simple and easy, and also eliminates worries about moisture in problem areas.

Q: How long will it take to install spray foam insulation in my home?
A: For most average size homes it generally takes 1-2 days to install spray foam insulation. Installation times may vary determining on size of home, amount of existing insulation needing to be removed, location of areas needing to be sprayed, and prep time to insure customers valuables are protected from foam over spray.  Most homes in NC and SC will see a 1 to 2 day turn around for installation of spray foam.

Q: Will Spray Foam Insulation make my home feel cooler in the hot North Carolina and South Carolina summers?
A: Yes. Not only will spray foam insulation lower your utility cost in the hot Carolina summers, it will also make your home a more cool, and comfortable place to live in.  Even with the huge savings some of our customers see, the biggest response we get from homeowners after installing spray foam insulation is how much more comfortable their home is.

Q: What is the R-Value of Spray Foam Insulation?
A: Spray Foam Insulation generally has a R-value of 6.0/1 inch thickness. Spray Foam Insulation has the best R-value of any product, and the r-value is protected better than any other product as well.  When fiberglass insulation starts to sag, it loses R-value.  Spray Foam Insulation will never lose its R-value making it a far more superior product then traditional fiberglass insulation.

These are just a some of the most common questions we receive when giving a free estimate to homeowners looking to install spray foam insulation in their homes.  When giving a free consultation to a homeowner we try to explain these answers a little more in depth and more specific to their project type, however this can give most folks an idea of what to expect from having spray foam insulation installed in their home or business.  We hope that this blog post has been helpful to those looking to spray foam insulation as an energy saving home improvement project, and please feel free to leave questions for us to answer in our comment section on our blog.  If your a homeowner or business owner in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia, and looking at having spray foam insulation installed in your home or business, then please contact us thru one of the methods listed below. 

MBS & Company
1357 Wycliffe Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Phone: 706-951-0158
http://www.myrtlebeachinsulation.com


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