Spray Foam Insulation Savannah, GA

Spray foam insulation or spray polyurethane foam, is undoubtedly one of the most effective ways to insulate your residential or commercial building. When spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA, is installed by a good spray foam insulation contractor, it will effectively regulate the temperature and air inside your building and more importantly help in energy savings. An added advantage is that it will increase the re-sale value of your home as well.

​What is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation is essentially a mixture of two chemical components, isocyanates and a resin mixture. These are also known as the “A” side and “B” side of spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA. Side A which is made of isocyante (ISO) is also known as PMDI or polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Side B is a resin mixture which includes many components- polyols, water, blowing agents, fire retardants, catalysts, surfactants and other ingredients. When these two components are mixed with each other they expand at least 30 to 60 times in size and volume.

Spray foam was invented by Otto Bayer in 1937. Initially it was used as a packaging material but subsequently it was used for other applications like cushions, shoe soles and industrial uses. It was only until 1979 that people started using it as a building insulation.

Spray Foam versus Other Types of Insulation

Traditional insulations like cellulose, fiberglass, mineral wool and radiant insulation have been around for a long time. The most popular types of insulation to be used in residential and commercial buildings are fiberglass and cellulose. Let’s see how they compare to spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA.

Cellulose insulation

Cellulose insulation is made from newspaper or wood, old jeans or cardboard. Cellulose insulation is used to fill empty spaces in a house and this prevents the passing of hot air from the inside and prevents the entry of cold air from outside.

​Blown-in cellulose can easily fill spaces in ducts and walls and it also fits into wall spaces. It is very inexpensive, however a major disadvantage is that it needs to be changed every 15 to 20 years as cellulose insulation settles down and creates pockets. This allows air to pass through it. Because of this, it absorbs moisture from the surrounding air increasing the chances of the insulation catching mold and mildew.

Fiberglass insulation

Fiberglass insulation, like cellulose insulation has been used for many years and it can either be in the form of loose-fill blow-in or pre-cut batts or rolls. Similar to cellulose insulation, it is cheaper than other types of insulation but it can settle over time and it still allows air to pass through it.

​Other than this, fiberglass insulation cannot be fitted into small holes or used to seal walls. Since this insulation is made of fiberglass, if it is disturbed, the tiny glass particles can float into the air and cause respiratory illnesses or skin irritations.

Radiant barrier insulation

Radiation insulation is essentially a barrier that prevents heat from entering by radiating it. It is mainly used in attics, roofs, floors or walls.

​Since radiant barriers reflect heat rather than absorb it, these are used mainly in sunny places and during the summer.

Mineral wool insulation

Mineral wool or rock wool insulation is a superior type of insulation compared to cellulose and fiberglass insulation. It has an R-value of R-3.7 to 4.2 per inch.

However because of its composition, one demerit of mineral wool insulation is that the fibers can easily break off. This can enter the air in your home and cause respiratory issues.

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Spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA, has a much higher R-value than other types of insulation. For instance the R-value of closed-cell spray foam insulation can go as high as R-6.5 or R-7. Unlike cellulose and fiberglass insulation it will not settle over time, or allow air to pass through it. Spray foam insulation is the only type that can form a complete air-seal. It is also much more durable and long-lasting and will not need to be replaced in a hurry.

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Types of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA, comes in two different types. They are essentially the same with a few differences between the two. Which one you decide to choose will depend on the end purpose. It is always better to speak to a professional spray foam insulation contractor in Savannah, GA for all your insulation plans and projects. The two types of spray foam are:

Open-cell spray foam insulation

As the name suggests, this type of spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA has cells that are not fully encapsulate. In other words, the cells have deliberately been left open. This makes it softer and much more flexible when compared to closed-cell spray foam insulation. It is an R-value of R-3.7 and is also less dense than closed cell spray foam insulation and weighs about ½ pound per cubic foot. When sprayed, it expands up to 3 inches in thickness. Because of its expansive nature, it is usually used in spaces that are difficult to reach and where closed-cell spray foam cannot be used.

Closed-cell spray foam insulation 

In closed-cell spray foam insulation, the cells are completely closed, blocking off the chance of any air or moisture entering it. It is much sturdier compared to open-cell insulation. It is also much denser and expands up to only 1 inch in thickness. It has an R-value of R-6.5 to R-7, which are the highest R-values for any insulation material. The total weight of closed-cell spray foam is about 2 pounds per cubic foot. Closed-cell spray foam is mostly used where spaces are limited. It is more expensive than open cell spray foam.

What is R-value?

R-value refers to the ability of a material to resist the flow of heat. Naturally, if the R-value is higher the insulation properties will be better. The R-value of cellulose insulation is approximately R-3.5 per inch; the R-value of fiberglass is R-2.2 to 2.7 per inch.

The R-value of open cell spray foam insulation is R-3.5 per inch and closed cell spray foam insulation has an R-value of R-6.0 to R-7.0 per inch. Spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA is one of the best types of insulations that are available in the market. Because of its high R-value and ability to create an air seal, it proves to effectively meet most building codes and standards.

Is Spray Foam Insulation Worth It?

Since spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA is relatively expensive compared to other types of insulation, you may be wondering if it is really worth it or not. Spray foam insulation indeed has several benefits and you will notice that even though you initially spend a lot of money for professional installation if spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA, you will benefit in the long term. Some of its benefits are:

Energy savings

Installing spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA will automatically lead to energy savings. This is because spray foam insulation helps to keep the conditioned air inside your home. Your HVAC system will have to work a lot less and you will spend less on heating or cooling costs.

Moisture barrier

Both residential and commercial buildings that are insulated using spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA, are much better protected against mold and mildew. This is because one of the biggest advantages of spray foam insulation is that it acts as a moisture barrier. This greatly improves the quality of air inside your home and limits unnecessary moisture that leads to condensation issues.

Structural integrity

Closed-cell spray foam insulation helps in adding structural integrity to building structures. It’s always beneficial to have extra support. When spray foam insulation expands, it adheres to the substrate in such a way that it’s as if it becomes one with the substrate.

Higher R-value

Any spray foam insulation contractor will tell you that spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA has a higher R-value when compared to other types of insulation. It-s high R-value helps in meeting building codes efficiently. 

Effective even when wet

When other types of insulation like cellulose or fiberglass gets wet, it can cause issues like mold or mildew. But this is not the case with spray foam insulation. In the case of closed-cell spray foam, water will not pass through it at all because the cells are completely closed and though open-cell spray foam allows water to pass through it, it will not soak it up like a sponge.

Long-lasting and eco-friendly

Unlike cellulose and fiberglass insulation that needs to be changed at least every 15 to 20 years, spray foam insulation will not need to be replaced anytime soon. This is because it does not disintegrate easily and essentially it will stand as long as your building is erect. This limits the amount of insulation that will go into landfills and because it helps to conserve energy, it will reduce your carbon footprint on the environment.

​Does Spray Foam Insulation Off-Gas?

One of the biggest concerns with spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA is the problem of off-gassing. This refers to the toxic chemicals or gases that are released from the spray foam i.e. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and uncured chemical dust. If you ask whether spray foam off-gases or not, the answer is yes. But this is only until it is fully cured.
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This is why it is required for you to vacate the job site for a few hours. Depending on the product that they use, you need to stay away for 24 to 48 hours. But with new and improved versions of spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA, you might need to stay away only for a couple of hours. Your insulation contractor will advise you regarding this.

Should You Hire a Spray Foam Insulation Contractor?

These days, you can find plenty of DIY spray foam insulation that is easily available in hardware stores. Though these kits explain exactly how you can use spray foam insulation, it is always advisable to hire a professional spray foam insulation contractor for all spray foam insulation purposes in Savannah, GA. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why hiring a spray foam contractor is beneficial in the long run.

• Specialized equipment - Experienced professionals are trained to use the chemicals in a certain way and they have several years of practice. All good spray foam insulation contractors in Savannah, GA, use professional technology and equipment. They also use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including chemically resistant gloves, eye protection, specialized respirators and a full body suit, to protect them while working with the raw materials.

• Proper handling of raw materials - Spray foam insulation can be a tricky substance to work with. If it is not mixed properly, if could either be too sticky or too wet, leading to adhesive problems while spraying it on the substrate. If the spray gun gets clogged, it could lead to the entire raw materials getting spoiled.

• Cleaning and disposal - If you are planning on replacing your old cellulose or fiberglass insulation, most spray foam insulation companies in Savannah, GA will take care of this for you. They will carefully remove the old insulation and also take care of proper disposal.  After they install the spray foam insulation in your home or commercial building they will clean up the place and get rid of any waste.

• How much to spray - If you have never used spray foam insulation before, you may not know how thick it should really be and you might end up spraying too much. A major benefit of hiring an insulation contractor is that when installing the insulation, they will take care of air leakage, moisture and ventilation issues as well.

Contact Us

If you live in Savannah, GA and are interested in spray foam insulation for your home or for a commercial building, we can definitely assist you with that. We can remove and dispose of the old insulation and install spray foam insulation in Savannah, GA. Our team consists of qualified professionals who have completed several projects in the area. Feel free to contact us regarding any questions that you may have about spray foam insulation.

Call (912) 800-0671