Whether you’re building a new home, re-insulating your current home or starting a project as a local Chicago builder, spray foam insulation is one of the best choices available for long-lasting indoor comfort.
But with so many options for insulation materials, you might be wondering where spray foam is best suited and where you might want other materials instead.
How Spray Foam Is Made
Spray foam insulation is made by combining isocyanate and polyol resin into a foam. Polyurethane, a polymer made of organic units, is the most commonly used material for spray foam.
Although polyurethane has been around since the 1940s (where it was used by the military for airplanes), it wasn’t used for insulation until the 1970s. Polyurethane spray foam contains a low-conductivity gas in its cells and is available in two forms:
- Open-cell (very effective sound absorber)
- Closed-cell (higher density, higher R-values)
Spray foam insulation is meant to provide an extremely tight seal and help protect against air leaks and moisture. It can be installed in hard-to-reach areas, such as around wiring, and is used in new construction and retrofit jobs.
Best Uses of Spray Foam Insulation in Your Home or Building
Because it can expand to fill just about any space, spray foam can be installed nearly anywhere. Some possible uses for spray foam insulation include:
Benefits of Insulating With Spray Foam
By installing spray foam insulation in your home, you’ll get to enjoy the many benefits it offers, including:
- Lower monthly energy bills
- More comfortable home year-round
- Muffled outside noises (and noise from room to room and floor to floor)
- Fewer air leaks
- Improved AC and heating efficiency
- Less pollen, dust and other small debris in your home
If you’re a builder, these benefits are attractive to homebuyers. Don’t cut corners — make sure you provide a quality product to potential buyers.
Need Spray Foam Insulation in Chicago? We Can Help
No matter what kind of insulation you need or where you need to install it, the ThermaSeal /Lakeside Insulation team can help. We have over a decade of experience installing home and building insulation throughout the Chicago area.
Let our insulation experts help you start saving and living more comfortably — contact us today.