You are probably wondering if you should hire a Houston spray foam insulation contractor or consider doing it yourself. But before you embark on the DIY road, it’s essential to learn more about what you need to know about spray foam insulation and some factors to consider when you decide to re-insulate your home.
Understanding how insulation works
Insulation works by reducing the transfer of heat. There are three major principles involved in heat flow.
- Conduction- This is the transfer of heat from one object to another. Think how a metal rod on hot coal conducts heat through the handle and onto your hand.
- Convention- this is the circulation of heat in gases and liquids. The lighter air rises as, the more remarkable and denser air sinks.
- Radiation-This is how heat goes in a straight path on solids and can absorb energy. An example would be during the cold season, and the heat moves from your heated places to unheated ones like the garage, basement, ceiling, etc.
Insulation materials are designed to slow down the conductive heat flow. The heat flows from warmer to cooler places until the temperature is evenly distributed. In older homes, the insulation deteriorates since the R-value will be lower, which will mean high energy consumption.
R-value is the measure of thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the more effective it will be. The R-value is used to measure the resistance of heat flowing through a specific material.
The R-value depends on the type of insulation, aging, thickness, density, temperature, and moisture.
A point to note is that for R-value to be more effective, the insulation location matters. The insulation may not retain the full R-value if it has been compressed within the space, resulting in ineffective performance.
The R-value and the amount of insulation one needs are dictated by the climate, the insulation location, and the type of cooling and heating system one has. We use a chart to determine which R-value is recommended for your environment and advise based on the region or zone that you are located in.
Benefits of Spray foam insulation
In most residential and commercial projects, spray foam insulation is the most popular insulation used in the industry and has the highest R-value per inch.
When it’s installed correctly, it is better to reduce thermal loss through both conduction and convection processes since it fills the spaces completely and efficiently, no matter the area’s shape.
Because spray foam is made on-site and applied immediately, the R-value remains consistent in the product’s life.
There are two types of spray foam insulation
Open Cell Spray Insulation – It is low in density and makes it vapor permeable. Primarily, it is used in ceilings, roofs, and walls.
Closed Cell Spray insulation– It has a better R-value per inch than other types of insulation. It is mostly used under slabs, ceilings, walls, and roofs. Because of its density and glue-like adherence, closed-cell foam adds to the structural strength of the building. It also performs better in sealing air leaks.
Contact a Professional Today
It is better to seek professional advice to avoid making insulation mistakes that will cost you your time, money, and resources. Call First Defense Insulation or visit us on https://fdinsulation.com/spray for more information.
First Defense InsulationÂ
11715 Anderson RoadÂ
Willis Texas 77318
713-808-9853
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