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Spray Foam Insulation Lexington

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Spray foam insulation in Lexington is becoming a popular choice for home insulation as well as commercial insulation. It is better than traditional types of insulation in many ways. Some of the benefits that foam insulation offers are its high R-value, ability to create a complete air-seal, bring down the cost of your utilities and create a comfortable environment indoors.

Before you decide to install spray foam insulation in Lexington, it is important to know different facts so that you can make an informed decision regarding your insulation projects. Let’s take a look at what R-value is, the types of spray foam insulation, the different benefits, and more.

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What is R-value?

R-value is defined as the ability of a material to resist the flow of heat. All insulation materials have their own R-value. The R-value depends on the density and thickness of the material. Usually, the higher the R-value the better is the insulation property of that material. R-value is also dependent on different factors like climate, moisture, temperature, and aging.

Open cell spray foam has an R-value of R-3.2 to 3.8 whereas closed cell spray foam has an R-value that is as high as R-6.5 to R-7.
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Heat loss takes place in different ways as listed below:

• Induction
• Radiation
• Convection
• Intrusion
• Infiltration
• Moisture accumulation

Spray foam insulation in Lexington prevents heat loss in all these ways therefore it is very efficient.

Types of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation in Lexington is of two types- open cell spray foam and closed cell spray foam insulation. It is important to know the difference between the two as this will help you make an informed decision regarding which one is best for your home or commercial insulation project.

In open cell spray foam insulation, the cells are not completely encapsulated. This means that they are deliberately left open. Open cell spray foam is soft and flexible compared to closed cell spray foam. Once it is sprayed it expands up to 100 times in volume and fills every gap and crevice.
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Open cell spray foam insulation is often used because it has soundproofed qualities. Let’s take a look at the properties of both types of spray foam insulation in Lexington. 

​Open cell spray foam

• It is capable of providing a complete air seal
• The R-value is approximately R-3.8 per inch
• The main blowing agent that is used is water
• It allows water to pass through it but it will not absorb it
  
• Open cell spray foam insulation in Lexington is great for residential purposes.

​Closed cell spray foam insulation

As the term suggests, in closed cell spray foam, the cells are completely closed. Closed cell spray foam insulation in Lexington is used for insulating industrial and commercial buildings and for agricultural purposes like pole barns.

• Closed cell spray foam is rigid and stable
• Closed cell spray foam does not allow air or water to pass through it
• It has an R-value between R-6.5 and R-7 per inch
• When sprayed, closed cell spray foam has a lower rate of expansion compared to open cell spray foam
• It has higher density than open cell spray foam
• It is very long lasting and durable

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This does not mean that one type of spray foam insulation in Lexington is better than the other. Your ultimate choice depends on the specific end-use or purpose, and your budget. Both open cell, as well as closed cell foam insulation, is good because they both create a complete air seal when sprayed.

Spray Foam versus Traditional Types of Insulation

Traditional types of insulation like cellulose and fiberglass have been used for many years. Let’s take a look at whether it is better to opt for traditional home insulation or spray foam insulation in your Lexington property.

Cellulose

Cellulose is one of the oldest types of insulations and is made from natural materials. Cellulose is contained in plants, therefore newspaper, corrugated cardboard, bits of fabric and even old denim can be used as an insulation material. Cellulose insulation is inexpensive and is available as loose-fill or blown-in insulation. One of the drawbacks of using cellulose insulation is that it tends to settle over time, allowing pockets of air to form.

Other than this, it does not create a complete air seal so it still allows air and moisture to pass through it.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass insulation is made with a plastic matrix that is reinforced by tiny glass particles. It is strong and lightweight and it makes a good insulation material because glass is not a good conductor of heat.

​However, if it is disturbed, the tiny glass particles can enter the air in your home and this could cause respiratory and skin problems. Like cellulose, fiberglass does not block out the air completely.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is also known as rock wool insulation and is made from molten slag, or molten glass. It is spun into a “fiber-like structure” which creates a unique insulation material. It has a high R-value of R 3.7 to 4.2 per inch and is available in many thicknesses and densities.

​However, mineral wool can break off and the tiny particles can enter the air, thus causing health issues.

Spray foam insulation

Spray foam insulation in Lexington is relatively much better than cellulose, fiberglass and mineral wool insulation. It is the only insulation that is capable of creating a complete air seal. It is long-lasting and will last as long as the substrate is intact.
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Today, spray foam insulation in Lexington is made eco-friendly as it uses water as the blowing agent. It will not need to be replaced as long as the building structure is intact. 

Is Spray Foam Insulation Worth It

Spray foam insulation installed in your Lexington property has several advantages which is why it is a great choice for most home and business owners. Listed below are the benefits of using spray foam insulation.

Saves on energy bills

When you use spray foam insulation in Lexington, you will surely notice your energy bills going down. This is because spray foam is capable of creating a complete air seal within the building and this prevents the conditioned air that is inside your building from escaping. It also does not allow cold air to enter during winter and hot air to enter during summer. This means your HVAC system (furnace and air conditioner) will have to work less hard, helping you to save on utilities.

Does not allow the entry of moisture

Closed cell spray foam will completely block moisture from entering your building. This helps to eliminate the issues of mold and moisture which can damage your building structure and also cause health-related issues. Keep in mind that cellulose and fiberglass insulation still allow air and moisture to pass through it.

Absorbs sound

When open cell spray foam insulation is used in Lexington, it acts as a sound dampener because sound waves hit the open cell spray foam and dissipate. It is ideal for use in offices and music rooms or home theaters. 

Improves comfort

Frequent temperature fluctuations mean that the insulation in your home is not efficient. When you use spray foam insulation in Lexington, especially as attic insulation, wall insulation, or crawl space insulation, you will experience a more comfortable environment. Your house will be within a building envelope and the temperatures on all floors will be the same.

Spray foam insulation keeps out pests and allergens

Spray foam insulation in Lexington is great for using in your home and commercial building if you want to keep out pests like rodents and critters. Consider using spray foam insulation in Lexington for attic insulation to keep out rodents. However, if you have an existing pest infestation you will first need to solve this problem. Spray foam insulation also helps to improve indoor air quality by keeping out any allergens.

Does not lose R-value

​The R-value of cellulose and fiberglass may degrade over time but the R-value of spray foam insulation will always be constant. Other than this it is long-lasting and will remain intact as long as your building structure is stable. Cellulose and fiberglass insulation will need replacing in 15-20 years as it generally tends to shift out of place or settle over time.

Do You Need to Install an Ignition and Thermal Barrier for Spray Foam Insulation?

Thermal barriers are used between the insulation material and the interior of a building. It is mainly used to separate the living space from the insulation material and protect it against fire. When using spray foam insulation in your Lexington home or office, you will have to use a thermal barrier in the areas that connect to your living space.
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However, in other areas, the spray foam insulation can be left exposed. For example, you do not need to use a thermal barrier in the basement attic or crawlspace. But if these areas are used for storage, then using a thermal barrier is advisable.

When it comes to ignition barriers, it is not mandatory to install one. But it is worth installing an ignition barrier between your living space and spray foam insulation in Lexington. Ignition barrier materials are used to prevent the insulation from igniting.

Examples of ignition barriers are 1.5” mineral fiber insulation, ¼” hardwood, or 3/8” drywall. Most local building codes do not require the installation of an ignition barrier, but in case there is a fire in your building, you may be refused insurance due to the lack of an ignition barrier.

Does Old Insulation Need to be Removed Before Installing Spray Foam?

One of the most asked questions is whether the old insulation needs to be removed before installing spray foam insulation in your Lexington property. You may already have old cellulose or fiberglass insulation installed.
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The short answer is yes, before installing new insulation the old insulation needs to be removed. This is because spray foam insulation needs a clean substrate to adhere to and all of the old insulation is useless as it does not provide any extra insulation properties.

Removing the old insulation should be done by a professional as a professional insulation contractor will know the technique of removing it well. Only when the old insulation is completely removed from the attic, garage space, basement and other areas with the spray foam insulation reach every nook and corner. An insulation contractor will also take care of the proper disposal of your existing insulation

Cost of Spray Foam Insulation

Since spray foam insulation in Lexington is available in two types, i.e., open cell spray foam and closed cell spray foam insulation, the costs differ.

Generally, open cell spray foam costs between $0.44 and $0.65 per board foot and closed cell spray foam costs between $1 and $1.50 per board foot. On an average you can expect to be between $1.50 and $4.90 per square foot for installation costs.

You may notice that the installation of spray foam insulation in Lexington costs much more than the raw material itself. This is because it includes much more labor. Labor costs include the set-up, preparation, trash removal, and clean-up after the actual job.
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The cost of spray insulation per square foot will also depend on the thickness of the insulation. Thicker foam takes more work and will cost more. Professionals who install spray foam insulation in Lexington can set the price according to square foot, hourly rate or overall job.

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Contact us today for a free estimate!

Call (859) 587-9056

Does a Crawl Space need to Be Insulated?

Most homeowners don’t think of insulating their crawl space, but to experience a comfortable environment in your home, it is essential to insulate it and create an air seal. Crawl space insulation in Lexington ensures that your floors are not cold!
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Depending on what type of crawl space you have, and where the ductwork is located, your insulation contractor may choose to insulate the floor or the ceiling. Before insulating a crawl space with spray foam insulation, all the old insulation needs to be removed if there is any.

If ductwork passes through the crawl space, your insulation contractor may recommend laying down plastic on the floor of the crawl space. They will then spray the walls and the rim joist with spray foam insulation. This ensures that your crawl space is the same temperature as the rest of your home.

If there’s no ductwork or mechanicals in your crawl space, then the ceiling will be insulated. No plastic is required in this case. This air seals the crawl space and in this case, it will not be a part of the building envelope. But no air is allowed to enter your home from below.

No matter which type of method you choose, insulating your crawl space is important. Crawl space insulation helps to reduce your energy bills and keep your home comfortable.

Can Spray Foam be added to Existing Walls?

When installing traditional types of insulation like cellulose or fiberglass, the drywall needs to be removed. Once the drywall is removed from the exterior walls, and the stud cavities are exposed, fiberglass batts are installed and stapled in the cavities. The same process is followed for cellulose insulation.

If you want to install spray foam insulation in your Lexington walls, the exterior walls will need to be removed because installing spray foam can cause too much pressure which may damage the walls. So, a good time to add insulation to your walls would be during a home renovation.

Alternatively, injection foam insulation is best for installing in walls without having to tear your drywalls down. Wall insulation helps to keep the conditioned air indoors. Injection foam is a type of open cell foam which does not expand after it is sprayed.
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There are many types of injection foam available and insulating your walls can be done quite quickly because the drywall will not have to be removed. The process of insulation depends on what type of siding you have. Here are the most common types of siding.

• Brick exterior – If your home has a brick exterior, a small hole is made between the bricks in the mortar and holes are drilled in the stud cavity. Once the injection foam is injected, the holes are covered with gray mortar. The gray mortar is easily made at the job site itself.
• Aluminum and vinyl siding- It is relatively easier to work with aluminum and vinyl siding in a home. In this case, the siding is removed which allows the contractor to gain access to the sheathing underneath. Holes are then drilled into the stud cavities and the foam is injected. Then the holes are plugged and the siding is replaced.
• Wood siding - Wood siding, like aluminum or vinyl siding can be easily removed along the perimeter of the house. In case it cannot be removed, holes are drilled in the wood and the foam is injected. Wooden plugs are then used to close these holes.

Spray Foam Insulation for Pole Barns

Using spray foam insulation in Lexington for pole barns is advantageous. Before your pole barn is insulated, any items need to be removed. Once the space is clear, the insulation contractor will tape plastic over the door and windows

Then the ceiling and walls are sprayed. It is important to spray both the ceiling as well as the walls to create a complete air seal. Wall insulation makes your pole barn very strong especially when closed cell spray foam is used. This adds structural integrity which is important because of the heavy machinery that is used in pole barns. However, open cell spray foam is also an option.

The thickness of the spray foam insulation in Lexington pole barns depends on what material is being used. If open cell spray foam is sprayed, the thickness will be about 6 to 19 inches on the ceiling or roof deck and 3 inches on the walls. But if you choose closed cell spray foam, your insulation contractor will spray 4 to 5 inches on the ceiling and 2 to 3 inches on the wall.

It usually takes a day or two to finish installing spray foam insulation in Lexington. The total time taken to spray your barn depends on how big your barn is. The total cost will depend on the area of your pole barn, how long it takes to complete the job, and which type of spray foam you choose.

Does Spray Foam Insulation Smell?

The popular conception is that closed cell spray foam insulation has an odor. However, not all spray foam products are created equal. Some spray foam insulation products have a stronger smell than others. Apart from this, the installation process also makes a difference. During the installation of spray foam insulation in Lexington, care should be taken to allow enough ventilation.
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Some spray foam products cure faster and homeowners are allowed to enter their houses within a few hours. Other spray foam products take longer to cure and you may be asked to vacate your home for up to 48 hours.

The best way to get rid of the smell of spray foam insulation is to make sure that the area is well ventilated. Letting in fresh air will help to get rid of any existing smell in the air. Other than this, all the existing insulation and waste materials from the current installation job need to be removed. A good insulation contractor will always make sure that area is well ventilated and will also take care of cleaning the area and removing any waste materials that may be present.

Contact Us

Spray foam insulation should always be installed by a professional insulation contractor in Lexington. Improperly installed spray foam insulation will not be efficient or last a long time. All of our team members at EcoPolySeal are highly trained and qualified in installing spray foam insulation.

Whether you need your old insulation removed, or foam insulation to be installed in new construction, contact us for a free assessment and quote. Depending on your needs and budget, we will advise you what is best.

Call (859) 587-9056