Spray polyurethane foam meets the demanding requirements of proposed changes to the national and BC building code.

Polyurethane Foam meets tomorrow's building codes, today!

Global Realities demand improved building codes.  With rising energy prices and increasing evidence that our climate is affected by carbon dioxide, Canadian building codes continue to raise the bar for both energy efficiency and air tightness.  Though the amendment to the B.C. building code has been postponed to fall 2011 so that it does not overlap with changes to the national building code, both are expected to demand improvements to the thermal envelope.

Traditional materials cannot meet the need.

Fiberous materials, including fiberglass PINK and ROXUL have both reached their physical R-Value limits in conventionally framed 2×6 walls, and neither contributes to air tightness.  Any code-required improvements to the building envelopes R-Value or Air tightness will require the widespread adoption of new products.

Spray Polyurethane Foam rises to the challenge.

One product that has been in the market place for over 30 years is closed cell Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation.   Manufactured on site and installed to bond with the substrate on which it is sprayed Spray Polyurethane Foam expands 30 times to fill every nook and cranny of variance in your homes wall.  For years SPF has been the standard in commercial buildings, which demand higher performing envelope details.  Used to air seal the transitions between unlike products like glazing and concrete, Spray Polyurethane Foam has become the material most often specified to create unbroken building envelopes.

Spray Polyurethane Foam now widely adopted.

SPF technology has been more slowly adopted by residential builders primarily due to cost, but also due to misinformation and a lack of understanding of the science of heat loss.  As Spray Polyurethane Foam receives greater visibility through popular television programs, increased availability with the entrance of new installation contractors and formal recognition in residential building codes, SPF has never been more readily available nor commonly used than it is today.

The benefits of Spray Polyurethane Foam extend far beyond its high R-value.  With an R-Value of 6 per inch, R30 is achievable in a 2×6 wall and when thermal bridging accounted for a whole wall R-value of R20 is reached with conventional framing.

An Air tight building envelope is Spray Polyurethane Foams greatest asset.

Air tightness is significantly improved over 6 mil Poly sheets, though attention to details at the top and bottom plate is required to ensure that these areas are not left unaccounted for.  Rim joists are better sealed with SPF than with any other material because it expands to completely fill these otherwise difficult details to seal.

Polyurethane foam results in HVAC equipment savings.

The resulting reduction in air leakage through the wall means that HVAC equipment can and should be downsized up to 40% to maintain maximum efficiency and eliminate short cycling.

Spray Polyurethane foam is a vapor barrier.

Because closed cell SPF is a recognized vapor barrier, 6 mil poly is not required.   SPF is less permeable than a thin poly sheet and will stand up better over time because penetrations are not easily made.

No changes required to framing to use Polyurethane foam.

Using SPF is an easy transition requiring no changes in technique.  Installed at the same time as fibrous products,  it can be sprayed into conventional framing without any adjustments.

Polyurethane foam, the smart choice!

While Spray polyurethane foam insulation is more costly than fibrous materials, its durability, stable and high R-Value, air tightness, and impermeance to vapor drive results in a readily available solution.  By using Spray Polyurethane Foam today, you ensure that your home will meet the building codes of tomorrow.

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Warm Home Insulation

Insulation is very important when it comes to houses and buildings.  Fiberglass was the most common type of insulation until the introduction of the Polyurethane foam insulation system.  Polyurethane is known to be a closed-cell material ensuring that the indoors is kept free from air and moisture.

The process of installing this type of insulation is also very simple and does not require anything else to hold it in place.  The foam is sprayed into the walls or between the ceiling and the roof.  The foam then starts to expand to about 100 times its original volume, thus, making its way to all parts of the wall and leaving no room for air or moisture to seep in.  It can be installed even in the hardest places to reach without settling or shrinking.

This type of residential insulation is highly recommended by the US Department of Energy because of its energy efficiency.  Spray foam insulation has an R-value of 6 to 8 per inch, much higher than that of fiberglass which only has an R-value of 2 to 4.  This means that any heating or cooling equipment would not require as much fuel as it would need with any other types of insulation systems.  Polyurethane, once installed in between walls and ceilings, does not emit any harmful odors or fumes.  Its efficiency in sealing out moisture makes it impossible for mold and mildew to grow, thus, reducing the risks of allergies.  It is very effective in keeping bugs and rodents out as the spray foam material has no food value for them whatsoever.

The great thing about spray foam insulation is that it actually adds to the structural strength of a house or building without adding too much weight to it.  So regardless of what material a house is made of, polyurethane spray foam insulation will adhere easily and work efficiently.

For more information about Spray Foam and how it can work for you, contact EcoLogic Spray Foam Insulation at 1 888 880-8420.

Tags : benifits, building envelope, efficiency, R-value
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