Definition:
Spray foam is a chemical product created by two materials, isocyanate and polyol resin, which react when mixed with each other and expand up to 30-60 times its liquid volume after it is sprayed in place. This expansion produces a high thermal insulating value with virtually no air infiltration.
Building applications:
Closed cell spray foam is applied by a trained installer.
Spray foam insulation or spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is an alternative to traditional building insulation such as fiberglass. A two-component mixture composed of isocyanate and polyol resin comes together at the tip of a gun, and forms an expanding foam that is sprayed onto roof tiles, concrete slabs, into wall cavities, or through holes drilled in into a cavity of a finished wall.
Closed cell spray foam is applied by a trained installer.
Open cell spray polyurethane foam insulation being applied to wall cavities.
“Spray foam” is also an informal term used to refer to various plastic foam materials that are used in building construction to provide thermal insulation and minimize air infiltration. Polyurethane and polyisocyanurate are two types of foam used in this application.
Benefits:
Spray foam insulation, like other insulation, saves on energy costs and lowers utility bills. Studies by the US Department of Energy show that 40% of a home’s energy is lost as the result of air infiltration through walls, windows, and doorways. Buildings treated with spray foam insulation insulate as much as 50% better than traditional insulation products.
Insulation adequately deployed can be part of a system design to protect against protects against moisture, which provides the benefit of reducing the chance of harmful mold, mildew and rotting of wood.
In addition to building temperature and moisture control, spray foam insulation is often used to reduce noise. Foam insulation serves as a barrier to airborne sounds, and reduces airborne sound transfer through a building’s roof, floor and walls compared an uninsulated structure.
In the United States, homes treated with spray foam insulation often qualify for state and federal tax deductions.
Insulation of all types stops a good deal of energy loss. Some types including spray foams also seal air leaks. Insulation can also save energy in hot climates by reducing air conditioning use.
For detailed definition see Wikipedia, Spray foam, https://en.wikipedia/wiki/Spray_foam, (as of 11/20/2017, 13:00 GMT).
