Frequently Asked Questions
1) Will spray foam deteriorate overtime?
No. We’ve looked at twenty year old spray foam projects and we have not observed any signs of deterioration.
2) Will spray foam insulation strengthen my house?
Yes! Your walls will be more resistant to winds and you will notice less cracking and shaking when doors are slammed or when kids are playing about.
3) What innovative energy savings techniques does spray foam allow?
You can encapsulate your entire exterior shell with spray foam. In effect, this creates a conditioned space everywhere including attics, basements, and crawl spaces. When ductwork is run through these areas, it is kept within conditioned spaces, substantially increasing the energy efficiency of your home. This reduces energy loss from recessed lights and drop ceilings while minimizing any chance of frozen pipes in colder climates.
4) Advantages of flexible foam?
Buildings expand and contract due to temperature differentials, wind load, and moisture content. If a foam is rigid, it will not accommodate the movement of the building and will inevitably develop cracks along the framing and eventually the air seal will be breached. However, with Icynene®, it will remain adhered to the substrate even in the face of seasonal building movement and therefore maintain its airseal over the long term.
5) How long does it take the foam to cure?
Foam takes less than ten seconds to expand to 100 times its original volume and become fully cured, ready for drywall application.
6) Does the Foam Absorb Water?
No, it does not absorb water. However, water can work its way through the foam under pressure or by gravity force. When the foam is placed on water it will float and upon removal it will not contain any water and it does not lose any of its insulating properties. But, if it is immersed under water, water can be forced into the foam by the hydrostatic pressure; however, once it is removed from water and allowed to dry out, the original insulating properties will return.
7) Does the Foam Entrap Moisture?
Icynene® Insulation is vapor permeable and this allows water vapor molecules to flow through the foam. This means any moisture in the building's concrete or lumber can escape through the insulation as the building dries out, thus eliminating moisture that could cause rot or mold.
8) Does the Foam Change Physically Over Time?
No, it is a chemically inert material and it will not change neither chemically nor physically overtime.
9) Any Worries Environmentally?
No, Icynene® is considered to be an environmentally preferred product because of its contribution to indoor air quality as well as reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Icynene® is listed in the industry-recognized GreenSpec® Directory; a compendium of over 2,000 environmentally preferable products (http://www.buildinggreen.com/ ). GreenSpec® products are selected based on independent research which ensures unbiased, quality information.
10) Any Electric Wiring Overheating Problems?
No, Icynene® insulation has been tested and found to be safe. It has been applied over electrical wiring for over twenty years.
11) Is the Insulation Corrosive to Metals?
No, Icynene® insulation is non-corrosive. Testing has been conducted to confirm this property.
12) Does Icynene break down or shrink?
No, Icynene® Insulation is stable. It does not shrink or sag. The reaction that creates Icynene® insulation is irreversible and it cannot break down into its constituent parts.
13) R-Value of an Icynene®-insulated Wall or Ceiling?
Icynene® has an R-value of 3.7/inch according to ASTM C-518 testing. R-values of insulating materials are measured in laboratories under ideal conditions and the conductive heat transfer property is the only property that is measured. However, in reality, convective heat transfer plays a big role when it comes to energy performance of a house. Icynene® provides superior energy performance over air-permeable insulation because of its air barrier capability even though they both have similar R-values.
Extensive computer modeling and field data have shown that the energy performance of Icynene® at much lower R-values almost always outperforms fiberglass insulation in the field due to its superior air-sealing ability. Hence, although we usually recommend lower R-values than fiberglass, Icynene®'s thermal performance in the field is superior in terms of the energy efficiency of a house.
