SPF Information

The product when fully cured is completely safe, in its pre-reacted state the liquid is one component can certainly cause an allergic reaction if exposed to significant quantities or in smaller amounts over time. Once cured there is no off-gassing or long-term health effects related to a cured polyurethane foam...that is a documented fact as reported in the Journal of American Medical Association and is based on testing not opinion.

U. S. Building Code Compliance The three recognized model code groups in the United States all have sections relating to the approval of sprayed polyurethane foams used in construction. The products are accepted nationwide. Code Body Approval Section International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) 4202 Publishes the Uniform Building Code. 1717 Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI), also known 704.2 as the Basic Building Code, 876.5 publishes the Standard Building Code. Building Officials and Code Administrators 717 International, Inc. (BOCA) publishes the National Building Code

Spray Polyurethane Foam Information

One way foams are rated is by density. This is expressed in pounds per cubic foot ( lb/ft³), which is the weight of the cured foam, incidentally. The higher the density, the harder and heavier the foam. Higher density foams are also practically waterproof, most with a perm rating of just a little over 1, which is the standard for "waterproof" designation. This is due to the fact they are "Closed Cell", which means the cell structure is closed as opposed to the "Open Cell" formulas, which have a much higher permeability rating due to the open cell structure.

The open cell foams you are probably most familiar with are Styrofoam and the foam used in pillows and furniture cushions and packaging foams. Open celled foams are .5 pound density or lower. These include soy foams, Icynene, and half-pound (as they are called) foams manufactured by various foam insulation manufacturers and available to contractors. The R-Value of open celled foams ranges from 3.2 to 4.2 per inch. This value does not compare directly with other insulation products, such as fiberglass, as foam offers a superior air seal to go along with the R-value. That is very important.

Closed cell foams are generally 1.5 pound to 3 pound density foams. These are closed celled foams provide an R-Value of 5.8 to 7.2 per inch are more costly than open celled foams, but offer a lower permeability rating and a higher R-Value per inch, making them suited to applications where half pound foams may not be the best choice. For instance, if code requires R-19 in outside walls, the R-Value of open celled foams require you build with 2"x 6" studs to be able to install enough inches in to get that R-Value, whereas the high density R-7 per inch foam will give you R-21 with 3", giving you the option of building with 2"x 4"s. Of course, it will cost considerably more for the higher density foam, but with what you save on lumber, and the downsizing of your air conditioning unit, it is an option worthy of serious consideration especially if you are planning on building a new home.

Both open cell and close cell foams offer superior air sealing and monolithic barriers. Your decision on which foam to use for your particular application is a matter of suitability and budget. Each structure, budget, climate, etc. is different and you should weigh your options before choosing which foam is best for your application. Consultation with knowledgeable contractors is recommended as is research on your own, to identify the insulation system that best addresses your needs and budget. Just remember, what you save in installation or product costs is usually directly relational to the energy savings you will realize. I don't think anyone is thinking the prices of energy and fuels is going to go DOWN, just as the price of having a building insulated will probably rise as it takes energy to make insulation. Foam insulation also reduces indoor air pollution while creating a draft free and well-insulated structure with built in bragging rights about your low utility bills!