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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Insulation foremost to efficient building

Today, common Insulation creates moisture problems

We must adopt modern, efficient insulation materials.  Insulation material in Canada needs to be updated to effectively protect our homes and reduce our energy dependency.  Canada’s often-humid climate is characterized by high humidity throughout the year in places. The effect of this climate on buildings and residential housing in particular is significant.  Moisture drive is the main issue though the seasonal temperature range exceeds 40 degrees Celsius (80 degrees in places) and contributes to structural damage and energy consumption over the course of the year.

Canadian homes are almost all insulated with fiberglass insulation though recently other fibrous materials such as cellulose and mineral wool have made inroads to the market.  Insulation in Canada must provide protection from moisture drive as well as thermal protection because of our climate.  In Canada, insulation needs to perform as an air barrier and a vapor barrier.  While traditional walls are built with air barrier and vapor barrier layers to protect the fibrous insulation, these have resulted in costly damage on an enormous scale in Canada’s climate.  Either because of poor installation, failure to seal with caulking (in older homes), post installation penetrations placed in the wall by homeowners or failure of the sealants over time, this technique fails to stand up to the environment.

Modern insulation is more costly to install, but save far more money in time.

Insulation in Canada is cheap and readily available and most homeowners give it little thought because it is so widely accepted that insulation comes in plastic bags and is pink in color.  This ready acceptance needs to be challenged for in Canada, pink insulation is responsible for water damage from water ingress, vapor drive from the interior side of the wall and the resultant mold and mildew issues that this soon to be trapped water creates.

Spray Foam Insulation results in energy efficiency, and healthy indoor air quality.

Homeowners need spray foam insulation in Canada and need to familiarize themselves with its cost, benefits and limitations for no other product can withstand the high humidity of our climate.  Spray foam insulation in Canada provides an air barrier/vapor barrier and thermal insulation in a single application.  Spray Foam insulation is made of billions of tiny plastic wrapped bubbles which are not subject to air movement or moisture drive, making it the very best insulation material for Canada cold climate on the market.  While more expensive to install, spray foam insulation results in lower utility bills, less structural damage over the life of the building, longer building life and a far lower overall ownership costs than fibrous products.  Be sure to ask how EcoLogicfoam insulation can meet your needs.

Tags : air quality, air tight, benifits, building envelope, moisture, R-value, renovating, spray foam insulation, thermal insulation
Posted in : Common Questions, Environment, R-value, building envelope | 6 Comments »

Building Insulation: a range full of choices

The process of building your home is an exercise in making decisions. From flooring to exterior siding, there are countless decisions to make before your home is complete and choosing your insulation is no different.

Insulation serves to conserve your energy consumption, lower your heating bills, increase your homes comfort and protect your home from the effects of condensation and the mold and mildew that can result.

Insulation, a short history

Insulation comes in many forms. For the last 50 years fiberglass batts have been used almost to the exclusion of all other materials. Prior to this a variety of materials from saw dust to newspapers where used. Today, there are greater choices than ever before including Mineral wool (Roxul), dry packed or wet cellulose, recycled blue jean batts, rigid foam boards and spray foam insulation in the form of open cell or closed cell polyurethane.

Each product comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. In order to determine which product you want to install, we need to look at what you want to accomplish and what insulation is supposed to do for you.

Insulation, key to your building envelope

When it comes to the science of building construction, your building envelope and your thermal envelope are both important concepts to understand. Your building envelope is the exterior perimeter of your home including its walls and roof. Your thermal envelope is often but not always the same as your building envelope. For example, in most conventional homes, fiberglass is laid on the floor of your attic. In this case your thermal envelope is the ceiling of your home as that is where the insulation lies. Because it is not co-located with your building envelope (roof) this can create problems but we will get back to that in a moment.

For the most part your building envelope and thermal envelope work together to create a system which prevents air, water and heat from moving through your homes walls. This is traditionally done using a variety of materials. We will use fiberglass as an example as it is so widely accepted. Fiberglass, when looked at closely, is strands of spun fibers grouped together into batts. These fibers are densely packed enough to slow the movement of air through it, though it does not stop the movement of air. Stopping the movement of air through your walls is key, for air carries with it moisture in the form of humidity and there is no force more destructive to building materials. What you end up with is an assembly of materials working together: fiberglass maintains a temperature difference across the wall assembly and 6 mil poly (vapor barrier) is used to prevent the movement of air and moisture through the fiberglass.

Problems arise when the 6 mil poly is imperfectly installed or subsequently damaged by hanging pictures,curtains, installing retrofit electrical outlets, recessed lighting etc. Any time a cut or penetration is made through your 6 mil poly, you have introduced a pathway for air and moisture to move through your walls. This occurs not only because of damage but also because even when poly is perfectly sealed at the time of installation, that sealant will tend to release over time allowing air and moisture to move through the assembly. This same problem occurs with any material that does not form an air barrier and vapor barrier – cellulose, roxul, jeans, etc. All of these products rely on polyethylene vapor barriers to prevent moisture ingress.

Spray Foam insulation, stands alone as a vapor barrier & Air Barrier.

Spray Foam alone, because of its vapor barrier and air barrier properties does not require 6 mil polyethylene sheets. Because spray foam is installed at three inch depth or greater, it is not going to be penetrated with nails or screws and is not subject to release from the substrate over time. In doing so, it provides a perfect air barrier and vapor barrier and a higher R value than any other material available.

Spray Foam Insulation prevents convective heat loss

Lastly, spray foam insulation eliminates convective air movement inside your walls. Because all other materials simply slow the movement of air through them they are still subject to convective heat loss. This is the reason for the enormous depth of loose fill fiberglass required by code in most attic spaces. With foam, you get an air barrier because foam does not permit air movement through the material and in so doing eliminates 60% of all heat loss immediately. The result is a higher thermal efficiency and substantial energy savings over all other materials.

While spray foam insulation is more expensive than all other choices, you will see the cost returned to you over time in as little as 5 – 6 years. Beyond that, spry foam is the cheaper solution.

If you would like to discuss your spray foam needs, contact EcoLogic Spray Foam insulation today at 1 888-880-8420.

Tags : benifits, building envelope, energy efficient
Posted in : Environment, building envelope | 13 Comments »

Crawl Space insulated with Spray Polyurethane Foam

You need to insulate your crawl space.

Your energy adviser has provided you with a report on where you need to reduce your energy losses and it shows that your crawl space is at the top of the list! I’m not surprised. Most crawl spaces are enormous heat sinks. The problems with insulating them and making them more efficient generally add to the home owners problems instead of solve them.

Fiberglass batts to the underside of the crawl space ceiling are not the answer

Too many people think of there attics with all that fluffy loose fill insulation blown over there ceilings and decide that must be the way to solve the problem on the underside of the home as well. But Gravity works against us here – so we need some way of holding the insulation in place. Using fiberglass Batts is often tried. The result! Damp, moist, even wet joists beneath your floor, the start of mold growth, saturated insulation batting yielding poor results and seriously impacting the life expectancy of your home and sub-floor.

The humidity in your crawl space will result in moisture and mold damage

The issue here is that when batts are installed on the underside of the floor, they resist heat flow and ensure that the lower edge of both the insulations face and the wood studs are within a degree or two of the temperature of the crawl space floor. Because crawl spaces are humid to begin with, this moisture is deposited on the wood resulting in rot and mold and on the face of the insulation resulting in soaked, underperforming batts that are prone to fall out of place if only friction fit.

Condition your crawl space with Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation

A better approach is to create a conditioned space – that is to tie the crawl space into the rest of the house by enclosing it. In doing this we change how it functions so that it is no longer vented to the outside, but enclosed (same temperature and humidity) as the rooms above. This is accomplished by installing the insulation along the perimeter of the foundation wall. While few crawl spaces are framed (yes, I have seen some) and there fore do not easily lend themselves to fiberglass batts, spray foam insulation is an excellent product that will result in insulation that bonds to the substrate, remains in place permanently, creates an air barrier, vapor barrier, provides no food source for mold or mildew and results in a clean, dry, warm crawl space eliminating moisture related issues.

EcoLogic Spray Foam has helped hundreds of homeowners with their crawl spaces

For more information on how to insulate your crawl space, please don’t hesitate to contact ecologic spray foam insulation at 1-888-880-8420.

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Spray Foam, Quality Insulation

Our Goal, to provide you with the information you need about Insulation.

EcoLogic Spray Foam Canada exists to serve our customers.  Far from a cliche, this is our core value. From your first visit to our website (www.ecologicfoam.com), where we hope to address what questions and concerns you may have, to the first call you place to us, where you will find us informative and straight in our communication, we strive to give you what you want, without drama.  You’ll find we are often able to quote you over the phone, and that we are able to schedule your foam install with very little delay.

Competitively priced Insulation

We keep our prices competitive so that we can provide value while maintaining a high standard in all we do.  We are neighbors in Canada and the surrounding communities in which we work and we treat our clients as though they lived next door.  Our goal is not to sell you insulation, our goal is to educate, answer, respond to and provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions.  We know that by providing you with the information you need to understand the role of insulation in your home, how it interacts with the other building materials you use, and the role it plays in preventing moisture damage in your new home, you will be able to make the right choice for your family.

Our Insulation material leads the industry

EcoLogic Spray Foam is founded on the belief that we can live in harmony with our environment and that we can live in balance with the resources available to us.  Not only will using our foam insulation reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed to heat your home by half, it will lower your heating bills by just as much.  That is harmonious living, but we have gone beyond that and utilize recycled and renewable materials in our foam to further reduce the load that we place on our limited resources.  With soya bean oil and recycled plastic bottles making up a higher percentage of our total content than any similar product, we can boast that EcoLogic Spray Foam is as green as it gets.  Like all spray foams, we manufacture your foam at your site – this means that our product is transported to your Canadian home in its original state and this results in huge carbon savings by limiting the amount of energy that goes into transporting say – fully expanded fiberglass batts, which are bulky.

Your Local Insulation Contractor.

Give us a call today, we’re local and we’re ready to help.  We strive to earn the trust of all we work with and we believe that you will find we work hard at meeting your needs.  For a free insulation estimate, call us at 1 888-880-8420.

Tags : benifits, Cost, energy efficient, Environment, thermal insulation
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EcoLogic Spray Foam your home

Expect professionals with EcoLogic Spray Foam

When you call EcoLogic Spray Foam Canada you can expect fast, courteous, professional service.  Here at EcoLogic Spray Foam we value your time and know you have choices.  When you call or email us, you can expect us to return to you within the first business day.  If we cannot reach you, we’ll leave you a message.  We will answer your questions promptly, working through the benefits and advantages of foam until you are comfortable that you have the information that you need to make an informed decision.

We’ll make sure you are informed.

Because foam is new, many homeowners in Canada are unsure of how it is used, where it is applied or why it costs more than fiberglass.  We’ll take the time to make sure you are ready for foam before we go further.  At EcoLogic, we know we have a great product and we have the testimony of hundreds of satisfied Canadian clients who advertise for us.   In no way do we feel we have to make a sale so you’ll never feel any pressure from us.

We make sure you understand your spray foam estimate

Once you have your quote in hand, we will follow up to discuss it, explain what the quote covers, ask you if you have any questions about it and then leave you to decide if you want to move ahead with spray foam or not.

We schedule your spray foam installation when you need it

When you are ready to schedule your foam installation, we’ll work with you and around your other trades and schedule to ensure that you get your insulation when you need it.  Above all else you can expect us on time.  At EcoLogic we believe in promises and when we make an appointment, it is a promise to be there promptly.

Your spray foam crew are knowledgeable and certified

You’ll find our crews courteous, hard-working and skilled.  Our site supervisor will discuss with you any concerns you have on the day and address them before we begin.  You’ll find the process of installing foam is fast and efficient.  Our crews are experienced and knowledgeable and this comes through in the way in which they function together.

We make sure you are happy with your spray foam

Once your foam installation is complete, our supervisor will walk through the job site with you to ensure that you are satisfied before we leave.  Once you’ve given the A-O.K. we’ll finish cleaning up, and leave you with an invoice marked PAID in FULL

Within a day or two, you can expect a call from our quality control department to ensure that you are fully satisfied with your new foam insulation, our crew and the work that EcoLogic Spray Foam Canada has done for you.  On the rare occasions that an item needs to be addressed, this will be done quickly and promptly, no questions.

Ask for quality, call today.

At EcoLogic, we are known in the industry for the service we provide.  In a field that has seen lots of upstarts and plenty here today, gone tomorrow, turn to the experts for your Canadian spray foam needs, call EcoLogic Spray Foam Insulation today!  1 888-880-8420

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Comfort provided by spray foam

Spray Foam Insulation problems, Depth control

Spray foam insulation is perhaps the most significant new building product on the market.  Amidst all the hype of green materials, LEED certification points and environmentally friendly new products, spray foam insulation alone stands out as the biggest game changer in the push to build more efficient homes.  The results are home that consume 50% less energy to heat them, are far more comfortable and have better indoor air quality.

Spray foam and the Building Envelope

Properly applied, spray foam insulation creates a continuous building envelope with no gaps or cracks through which air and moisture can enter or escape, but problems arise when spray foam is not properly installed.

Spray Foam generates heat

When installed, spray foam is applied by mixing two highly reactive materials in an airstream as they leave a spray gun.  This reaction creates heat as it forms bubbles and rises to form foam.  This heat will escape as the foam cools and a good installation allows the foam to cool fairly evenly.

Properly installed foam is applied at a depth not greater than 2” deep.  This allows the foam to cool reasonably consistently from the outside, in.  When foam is installed at greater depths than this, it cools unevenly.  The interior core of the foam will remain hot long after the exterior has cooled.  This creates stress within the foam and can result in foam that pulls away from the wall or studs and even foam that cracks.  When this happens, it is not generally seen as a small shallow crack but a deep fissure to the core of the material.

A good spray foam installer won’t take short cuts

There are several reasons that a foam installer may apply a layer greater than 2”.  These reasons may include inexperience, but more likely are a result of commercial pressure to increase the yield of the material, which can be achieved by applying it in thicker layers.  If your contractor has under bid the job and wants to stretch the material he installs he can accomplish this by laying foam a little deeper.  This is contrary to the CAN/ULC 705.2 specification which details how foam is to be installed.

Some products are to be avoided

While not common, there have been a number of incidences in Eastern Canada with a product introduced this past year, which have resulted in house fires that have burned the structures to the ground.  This has resulted when a significant depth of a competitors foam product is installed at once and the trapped heat in the interior of the material cannot escape and eventually combusts.  This is not common and yet it also points out the importance of knowing what product is being sprayed.

While it is difficult to monitor your foam installation because the installation process requires WorkSafe safety gear be worn, hiring a reputable installer who can supply references is a good first step.

Please feel free to contact EcoLogic Spray foam to discuss any questions you may have.

Tags : building envelope, Questions
Posted in : Common Questions, Environment, R-value | Comments Off

Worth the Expense

Spray Foam Insulation is an expensive material but what does it cost – really?

The capital costs of spray foam

A Spray Foam insulation contractor has a significant outlay of capital in order to start his business.  The equipment required includes a proportioner, a generator, an air compressor, drum stick pumps, a refrigerated air dryer, fresh air breathing system (and filters), his hose, guns, tools and a commercial truck to place it all in.  The capital outlay runs from $65,000 – $140,000 for most spray foam trucks.

The cost of raw material

Now that he is ready to start spraying, he needs to buy the raw material that will make your spray foam.  The product alone accounts for more than 50% of the total cost of the project, as opposed to most trades where labor is the expensive part of the equation.  This is the reason that Spray foam insulation is expensive and remains so in spite of new competition entering the market.

Open cell spray foam and Closed cell are very different

Spray foam insulation comes in two types, open cell foam and closed cell.  While they share the same basic ingredients, they have vastly different properties.  Open cell foam rises 120 times its original volume and is light and soft to the touch.  Closed cell rises a mere 30 times its original volume and sets up hard and rigid.  The two are used in very different applications accordingly with open cell foam making a very good sound barrier while closed cell foam is unmatched in its thermal properties.

The cost of Spray Foam for each project is different

There are numerous factors that go into the pricing of a spray foam installation and these cannot all be addressed in this article.  Below you will find benchmarks that will give you rough ideas of the cost to install both open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation.  Factors that will be accounted for include location of job site, size of project, details requiring additional preparation and cleanup, and variations in the specific market place

Open cell spray foam, the numbers

Open cell foam is generally installed to fill the wall cavity and thus the cost depends on the framing you have in your home.  2×6 walls provide a higher R-value at a greater expense than 2×4 walls.  In a 2×4 wall, the cost to install open cell foam will come to not more than $0.80 per board foot and result in an R-value of 13.5.  In a 2×6 wall, this will result in an R-value of 21.  It must be understood that because open cell foam is installed to slightly overfill the wall cavity so that it can then be shaved flush with the wall studs, there is a bit of waste built into the estimate.

Closed cell spray foam costs.

Closed cell foam is generally installed in walls to R20 which does not require the full depth of the wall cavity to achieve – even in 2×4 construction.  For this reason there is no waste materials as a result of this installation.  The cost of closed cell foam is significantly higher than open cell foam, however because it forms an air barrier and vapor barrier there is no need for a 6 mil polyethylene sheet, which saves time and money.  Closed cell foam is installed at a cost of between $1.25 and $1.50 per board foot though there are again factors that will affect this both up and down.

Get a quote from a trusted spray foam contractor

If you are interested in using spray foam in your project, the best course of action is to contact a trusted local contractor and have him come out for a site visit so that an exact quote can be prepared for your job.  You may be surprised at just how affordable spray foam can be.

Posted in : Environment | 10 Comments »

Closed cell foam provides highest performance

Spray Foam Insulation | Open cell foam or Closed?

So you’re building a home or have decided to renovate your existing one.  You have decided to make energy efficiency a priority and want to install spray foam insulation.  Great, but which type?  Spray foam comes in two distinctly different types of material classified by its cellular structure and by its density.

Open cell foam, perfect in some applications

Open cell foams are also known as half pound foams because a cubic foot of the material weighs half a pound.  The cellular structure of the foam as the name implies is not wholly formed – this means that as the foam forms, the tiny bubbles that make up the foam are open on one or the other end.  As a result open cell foams tend to breathe, they are not impermeable to water and they have an R value just slightly higher than still air.  They set up soft and can be crushed by pressing on them.  This makes them easier to remove if needed and also makes them among the very best acoustic isolators available.  If your goal is to isolate a basement suite, a theater room, a music room or simply to quite a nearby road half pound foam may be just the ticket.  The total R –Value that can be achieved in a 2×6 wall with open cell foam is  R 21.

Closed Cell foam, the industry standard for thermal insulation

Closed cell foams are also known as two pound foams and this too is because a cubic foot of the material will weigh approximately 2 pounds.  As the name suggests, the cellular structure of the foam is closed.  Each individual cell encapsulates the reaction gases, which have a much higher R-value than air (like argon in your windows).  The R value of closed cell foam is described by the type: type 1 foams have an R value of 5 per inch while type 2 foam has an R value of 6 per inch.  Because the tiny bubbles in the foam are closed, the foam is impermeable to air and to water.  Closed cell foam sets up rigid and increases the racking and shearing strength of your homes walls by 300%.  The potential R value available in a 2×6 wall is R33 though this is rarely done because of cost.  A 3.33” layer installed in your wall will provide R20, an air barrier and vapor barrier and will outperform fiberglass or roxol because it is not subject to convective heat loss (fiber lets air and heat pass through it).

If you would like to know more about closed cell foam, or open cell acoustic foam and how they may add to your project, please contact EcoLogicFoam at 1 888 880-8420.

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