Whenever you get spray foam insulation in your home, it comes with superior advantages such as saving money, being more energy efficient, your home stays cooler in these summer months, and your house will just be much more comfortable.
Unfortunately, as with most improvements you do to your home, making the right choice on what type of material to use can become incredibly overwhelming. We get asked all the time, what happens if I invest in spray foam insulation and then it gets wet?
We live in a very humid state. In fact, I walked outside today and whenever I closed my front door, my hand was wet from the condensation that was caused by the humidity on my door knob. So it is not unusual that you are concerned about your insulation getting wet.
It is safe to say that not all insulation is created equally. Some insulation is even used to insulate boats so it is likely that it will get wet at some point. If you choose the right insulation, and it is installed correctly by a professional you should not even be worried about it getting wet from humidity. There are instances where there may be a water leak, though. Let’s look at what this would do to your insulation.
Open Cell vs Closed Cell Spray Foam
While there are many different types of insulation, there are also different types of spray foam insulation. Open cell spray foam and closed cell spray foam are the two most common spray foam types.
Spray foam insulation is available in two forms, either open cell or closed cell. Both kinds have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to know (or hire professionals who know) what your application needs are. This way, you can be sure you’re benefiting the most from spray foam insulation.
Open Cell Spray Foam
Simply put, open cell foam is going to be light and malleable. As it dries, the gas inside the cells will escape through openings in the cell walls, resulting in a lightweight foam.
Open Cell Spray Foam creates a bond with the area that is being insulated. It is very flexible and moisture resistant. It can be sprayed and it can also be injected into the walls and then it expands to fill the space. Open cell spray foam is very breathable. It does let moisture pass through instead of trapping it inside of the insulation itself. Your home will not fill with water though, no need to worry about that! This keeps the wood in your home from rotting and although moisture passes through, it is also created so that the moisture will evaporate before any water can be soaked up.
Closed Cell Spray Foam
On the contrary, closed cell foam will be more dense and heavy. It is more resistant to weathering and changes in temperature.
Closed cell spray foam is a little less confusing than open cell spray foam. It is water resistant. With it being a more dense material, it is much more rigid than open cell spray foam. It can take on an incredible amount of water before there is truly a problem.
Both open and closed cell spray foams are great when moisture is your concern. Though they are different, they both offer consistency and moisture control. Your only real concern should be if you leave insulation outside uncovered for a while in the rain.
Why Reeves?
When you make improvements to protect your home, it’s because you want to prevent the possibility of problems down the line. Spray foam is the best insulation option when it comes to water resistance. In the case of a leak or flood, spray foam won’t have to be replaced because it doesn’t retain water. This means you can worry less about issues such as mold or mildew in worst case scenarios.
There are many reasons to invest in spray foam insulation, as it’s one of the best long-term solutions available. If you are interested in insulation services, contact Reeves today. We will guide you through the insulation process from start to finish, whether that’s by helping you choose your material or just coming to your property to get the job done!
