Open cell foam insulation is a porous material that can allow air and moisture to penetrate the insulation.
Open cell and closed cell insulation.
It is important to be aware of the difference between open cell vs closed celled spray foam insulation cost uk.
Open cell foam is full of cells that aren t completely encapsulated.
Open cell spray foam has a very high expansion rate sometimes as much as 100 times over.
Importance of knowing the difference between open cell vs closed cell spray foam insulation.
A spray insulation is referred to open cell or closed cell because of the difference between the small bubbles cells that make up the foam.
The porosity of the two materials is the biggest difference and most important issue.
Closed cell foams use enovate also known as 245fa.
Open cell and closed cell foam insulation have very different expansion rates.
When applied on the interior open cell spray insulation provides performance advantages that differ from those of closed cell spray foam used on the exterior.
Summary closed cell foams are the most popular type of insulation used in remodeling and new construction applications.
In other words the cells are deliberatly left open.
The microscopic cells within open cell foam are just that open which give it a soft fluffy feeling.
This makes it an ideal option for homes because it gets in the nooks and crannies in attics crawl spaces open wall cavities and rim joists.
Now lets get to it.
We often compare the texture of open cell foam to a sponge or even angel food cake.
Open cell foams use water as a blowing agent.
This makes the foam a softer more flexable material.
Open cell spray foam insulation provides a lower r value per inch but is therefore typically more affordable than closed cell spray foam insulation.
Closed cell spray foam on the other hand is also called medium density or 2 0 lb foam.
If an installer was to install the incorrect cell type foam it could cause the insulation to work ineffectively.