Home insulation has become an increasingly popular method of increasing both comfort and fuel efficiency in homes. Insulation is an important component of a building that envelopes the surface material between the walls and roof. Insulation protects houses from heat loss and also reduces energy costs.
In recent years, there has been a lot of hype around spray foam insulation. This is due to the fact that it is inexpensive and effective in reducing heat loss. However, there are several potential issues with this type of insulation that can threaten its effectiveness. This article examines these issues by discussing how spray insulation can affect homeowners as well as businesses when implemented incorrectly.
Fire Hazards
Foam insulation is combustible and can cause heat buildup, thus, it must be used with extreme caution to ensure any fire potential is contained. The flash point of foam insulation is around -13 F, and its ignition temperature is around 1300 F. On the other hand, if exposed to fire for several hours, these types of insulations can reach temperatures of 1800 F or higher in some cases.
Since it is highly flammable, users should use ventilation in the attic and screws rather than staples to secure the insulation. They should also ensure there are no combustible materials in the attic, like wood or drywall. Finally, homeowners should drill holes about two inches deep before insulating the area to avoid having a fire break out from under should an individual ignite from an open flame or spark from working on the walls and flooring of any part of the house.
Potential Health Risks
There are different types of spray foam, and they can often be found in the ceiling of a kitchen. While this is a great material for extra insulation and airflow, it can also cause a lot of health problems. The foam insulation emits gasses into the home through a venting pipe and out through the ceiling when it rains. The escaping gas can cause breathing problems for some people, especially children and those who have asthma or allergies. The effects include coughing, wheezing, headaches, and damage to the lungs.
One study found that occupational exposure to spray foam products resulted in increased levels of health effects, including asthma and eczema. In addition, people living in multi-unit homes near where spray foam is used have been found to have an increased incidence of respiratory problems. Some products contain sulfates, which may cause eye irritation and skin irritation. Homeowners should always remember to read the labels before using any type of spray foam.
Limits on Ceiling Heights
One potential drawback of spray foam insulation is that it may limit the height of the ceilings in a building. This is because spray foam insulation is typically installed in the attic or between floors, requiring a certain amount of space to be effective. If the ceiling height is too low, there may not be enough room to install the necessary insulation, reducing its effectiveness.
Spray foam insulation requires a specific thickness to provide an adequate R-value and effectively block heat flow. The required thickness will depend on the type of foam used and the climate in the area. In some cases, such as in older homes or buildings with low ceilings, there may not be enough space to install the necessary thickness of spray foam insulation.
In these cases, other types of insulation may be a better choice, such as fiberglass batts or blown-in cellulose. These materials can be installed in thinner layers, allowing for higher ceilings. However, they may provide a different level of air sealing and energy efficiency than spray foam insulation.
It’s essential to consider the height of ceilings and the space available for insulation when deciding on the best insulation material for a building. A professional insulation contractor can assess the space and recommend the most effective and efficient solution.
Difficulty in Acoustic Performance
Acoustic performance is an issue to be aware of when looking at foam insulation. The acoustic performance of spray foam is superior compared to other types of insulation; however, it can have an adverse effect on the projection capabilities of buildings.
If the structure is designed properly and has adequate ventilation and soundproofing, the acoustic performance won’t be a problem. However, if there’s poor design and not enough ventilation or control over traffic flow around the home, then homeowners should consider adding more acoustic treatment later to reduce any negative impacts caused by foam insulation.
Air Leakage
Air leakage is the direct loss of thermal energy from a house through the walls, floors, and ceilings. This can occur at all levels in a building and always results in discomfort due to the stagnation of warm air. Air leakage can be caused by many factors, such as different types of insulation, poor construction quality, insulation joints made with weak material, etc.
Foam insulation is especially vulnerable to air leakage because it has some special characteristics that result in gaps between particles and voids among bubbles, which are either filled with air or hidden by other gasses.
The air leakage rate of foam insulation is highly dependent on design, material processing, and building envelope construction. It can range from 0% to 40%. In general, dimensional structure integrity, building envelope, and insulation performance should be taken into consideration in the design process of a new construction project.
Low Thermal Resistance
Spray insulation materials, particularly low-density foams, are susceptible to thermal degradation in all three directions of heat flow: conduction, convection, and radiation. The non-uniformity of foam structure causes it to lose mass as it heats and gains mass as it cools.
This loss/gain oscillation results in a measurable differential thermal expansion coefficient between the core and shell of the material. This differential expansion coefficient causes an oscillating pressure drop across a building’s envelope. This internal movement can cause structural damage through fatigue failure of construction elements and mechanical transmission losses from gaskets.
With the low thermal resistance, homeowners will need to use high-quality insulation that is able to stand up against weathering, shrinkage, and movement. The foam insulation can also leave behind mineral salts which can cause rust on metals if not properly cleaned after contact with water.
Foam insulation is a very inexpensive way to increase energy efficiency in a home, but it comes with some drawbacks, as explained above. Therefore, homeowners should work with professionals to minimize the issues and maximize the efficiency of foam insulation.
