Services

 

Open Cell

Open-cell foam costs slightly less for the same thickness, but offers lower R-value. The blowing agent used to install open-cell insulation is water, which reacts with air to become carbon dioxide. Because CO2 expands quickly, the bubbles tend to burst before the plastic sets — hence “open cell” — producing a spongy, lightweight foam.

The industry describes the foam as “half-pound” material, which means the foam weighs 0.5 pounds per cubic foot. This density yields an R-value of approximately 3.6 per inch, equivalent to most traditional insulations

 

Closed Cell

Unlike open-cell foam, closed-cell foam uses liquid chemical blowing agents. These gasses expand as they are applied, but not as quickly as CO2, allowing the polyurethane plastic to set before the bubbles burst. This yields dense foam weighing nearly 2 pounds per cubic foot and without the capillary characteristics of open-cell, it remains impermeable. The blowing agents perform like the inert gasses between the panes of high-performance windows, adding to the insulating qualities of the foam. Unlike open-cell foam, closed-cell foam rarely requires any trimming, with little or no jobsite waste.

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Installations

Two liquids combine during a chemical reaction to form spray polyurethane foam. The two liquids come in different drums or containers, and professionals generally refer to one container as the "A" side and the other container as the "B" side. The "A" side of a spray polyurethane system is commonly comprised of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI). The "B" side is typically a blend of polyols, catalysts, blowing agent, flame retardant, and surfactant. The polyols are part of the chemical reaction to make foam. The remaining ingredients in the "B" side serve different purposes to help control the creation of the foam bubbles (the "cells") in an optimal way, and to provide the various characteristics of the finished foam product (flame retardancy, for example).

BENEFITS 

  • Adds wall racking strength as well as impact resistance
  • Ideal for continuous insulation solutions
  • Higher R-value* per inch  – easier to accommodate high R-value* requirements in narrow spaces
  • Lower vapor permeance (can be a Class II VDR)
  • Can reject bulk water (ideal for flood zones)
  • Higher tensile and bond strength
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