Spray Foam Insulation Arlington, VA

If you live in Arlington, you may have noticed that during the winter months your energy bills get quite high. The main reason for this is lack of proper insulation. Even though you have either cellulose or fiberglass insulation already installed in your home, houses and building structures that don’t have proper insulation lose a lot of warm air during the winter and cool air during the summer.

​The solution to the problem is switching to spray foam insulation in Arlington, VA. Listed below are some of the incredible facts that you should know about spray foam insulation.

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​5 Things You Should Know About Spray Foam Insulation

• It is a great insulator- Spray foam acts as an air sealant by blocking all the tiny cracks and crevices that other types of insulation will not block. It has a very high R-value which means that it has a very high resistance to heat or cold. Spray foam insulation in Arlington VA when used in your house or building structure will not allow heat to escape nor cold to enter during the winter and vice-versa during the summer. Spray foam will make your home livable all year round!

• Where spray foam insulation is used- Spray foam insulation in Arlington VA is typically used in the walls, the roof, the attic, crawlspace, basement and floor. Spray foam insulation can be used throughout the building structure but it should be avoided in certain areas for safety reasons. Places that spray foam insulation is not used is near electrical boxes and wires, near recessed lighting fixtures, in closed and compact spaces; and it also should be avoided if you have a history of skin allergies, asthma and respiratory problems.

• It is moisture and mold resistant- The great thing about spray foam insulation is that it is completely resistant to moisture and because of this; it will never be attacked by mold. Unlike other types of insulation such as cellulose that absorbs moisture, you will never have to worry about issues with mold in your basement, attic or walls. Mold can cause severe damage to your house or building and it can easily spread if there is a lot of moisture in the atmosphere. It can severely affect the health and cause respiratory issues.

 

• Not food for rodents and keeps away critters- Spray foam insulation, especially open cell spray foam insulation seals every crack and crevice in your home and no critters will be able to enter. Spray foam has two components, isocyante and polyol resin and this does not attract rodents to feed or make nests. However with traditional types of insulation such as cellulose insulation, rodents and critters can feed on it and make their nests. Then you will have the additional problem of replacing the insulation as well as getting rid of the pests.

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• It saves you money and energy- Proper and good insulation poses less strain on your HVAC system and you will definitely spend less money in heating the air that is circulating within your home or building structure. By using spray foam insulation in Arlington VA, energy costs can be reduced by up to 40%.

​How is Spray Foam Insulation Applied?

​Spray foam insulation is also known as sprayed insulation or foaming insulation. It consists of two separate liquid components. These are isocyanate and polyol resin. Typically the raw material comes in large 55 gallon drums and they are kept separate until they are used at the job site by a spray foam insulation contractor in Arlington, Virginia.

​The two liquid materials travel up through a hose that is heated to the spray gun. It is in the spray gun that they combine and form what we call spray foam insulation. Within a few seconds the foam expands greatly and depending upon whether it is open-cell or closed cell spray foam insulation, it expands between 40-100 times its volume.

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Difference between Open Cell Spray Foam and Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation

Open-cell

​Open cell spray foam insulation is also known as low expansion spray foam. The cells are loosely packed and not fully encapsulated and the R-value is lower than in closed cell or high expansion spray foam insulation. Even though open cell spray foam has a lower R-value, about R-3.5, this is not necessarily a disadvantage as open cell spray foam can be used in many places and works as an air-barrier.

Closed-cell

When it comes to closed cell spray foam insulation, even though the R-value is high, about R-6.5 to R-7, it may decrease over time. Closed cell spray foam expands about 1 inch in thickness after it is sprayed whereas open cell typically expands about 3 inches in thickness.

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Since open cell spray foam insulation is a low-density material, it is typically used in attics, basement walls, wall cavities, on the underside of roofs and for sealing tiny cracks and crevices. Closed cell on the other hand is used for exterior as well as interior applications, and is very good for flood resistance.
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The major physical difference between open cell and closed-cell spray foam insulation is that closed cell spray foam is often harder than open cell spray foam which is softer in nature. Closed cell spray foam is also less springy than open cell spray foam. Since closed cell spray foam is harder and more rigid it is great for providing structural integrity apart from providing insulation. Thus, other applications of closed cell spray foam are for packaging, protection barriers and shipping purposes. However open cell spray foam is used in cushions, sofas, chairs and mattresses.
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When it comes to question of durability, while closed cell spray foam is generally stronger, both open cell as well as closed cell spray foam insulation in Arlington VA are durable and long lasting. Once you install spray foam insulation you will not have to replace and change it in a long time. 

​How safe is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation in Arlington, VA is generally considered to be safe if you are not present at the job site and are away from your home at least 24 hours after the job is completed. This allows time for the spray foam to cure and become totally inert. According to the EPA, spray foam insulation has certain chemicals in it that are considered to be toxic and dangerous for health. That is why all the applicators of spray foam insulation must use protective gear and take certain precautions while using spray foam insulation.

Spray foam insulation is manufactured at the job site and does not come readymade from the factory. The reactive ingredients are isocyanates that are in one tank and polyol resin that is in the other. Isocyanates are chemicals that are highly reactive and exposure to these chemicals can cause skin and respiratory problems. There are known facts that exposure to these chemicals have caused fatal reactions and asthma to the workers who were exposed to these chemicals.

However, if spray foam is cured and dried and applied properly, no fumes and odors are emitted. Spray foam insulation in Arlington, VA should always be installed by a professional contractor because improperly installed spray foam insulation may lead to cracking or breakage and “fishy” odor may continue to be emitted.

Always ensure that spray foam is properly installed and this is why you need to hire a professional and genuine contractor for the job. 

​Tips to Keep in Mind about Spray Foam Insulation Installation

• Carefully consider all your insulation options and see what is best for you. According to the EPA, persons with a history of skin allergies, respiratory problems and asthma or prior exposure and sensitization to isocyanates should avoid spray foam insulation.

• When looking to hire a spray foam insulation contractor in Arlington VA, carefully look for reviews about the company and testimonies of their past clients.

• Do not fall prey to quotations that are cheap. Spray foam insulation in Arlington VA is relatively expensive and tricky to apply.

• Make sure that you leave your home at least 24 hours after spray foam has been applied in your residence or commercial building.

• Always ask the contractor and installer about their rules and policies of improperly applied spray foam insulation in Arlington, VA. Check to see if they have a liability insurance that covers their workmanship and any errors and omissions.

• Ask for a written guarantee in case anything goes wrong.

• If spray foam has already been installed in your home or commercial building and you feel that it has not been properly installed, contact your contractor or installer.

​Can Spray Foam Insulation Catch Fire?

Spray foam like other materials in houses and building structures is flammable and ignites and burns if it is left exposed to an adequate heat source.

Spray foam insulation needs to be handled with caution and if installed improperly can start a fire.

​Spray foam insulation in Arlington VA should always be handled by a professional with extreme care and caution. If too much spray foam is installed, and the insulation is too thick, it could start a fire and if used in areas too close to electrical boxes or recessed lighting fixtures; this too could lead to a fire hazard.

In the US, all contractors and spray foam insulation installers need to follow certain building codes and regulations that have been laid out by their local and state governments.

​Local building codes and models are used throughout the states to ensure that families and all occupants are safe when it comes to the design, construction, material used, fire performance, occupancy, location, and overall maintenance of the buildings and structures.

​Building codes are always updated and changed from time to time to keep up with innovations in design, quality and material that are used. Spray foam insulation products in Arlington VA; typically have technical data sheets which indicate fire resistance ratings and code requirements for flammability.

​All spray foam insulation contractors in Arlington VA are advised to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the thickness of spray foam insulation to prevent fire hazard. While working on spray foam insulation it is advisable to have fire extinguishers at hand, as a precaution. Spray polyurethane foam typically uses dry chemical extinguishers and carbon dioxide extinguishers.

Smoking at and near the job site is not advisable and large amounts of combustible waste should be disposed of quickly and safely.

​Spray Foam Insulation as an Air Sealing Material

One of the best advantages of spray foam insulation is that it serves the dual purpose of insulating as well as air sealing. Spray foam insulation is great to use in Arlington, Virginia as it helps to stop air leakage and acts as an air barrier wherever it is installed. This greatly reduces any chance of moisture and molds entering into the house or building structure and also prevents the formation of ice dams especially in places that have colder climates.

​Compared to traditional types of insulation such as fiberglass and cellulose, spray foam insulation offers much better quality insulation power as it limits the amount of air entering the building structure and also leaving it. Thus in turn greatly reduces the load on your HVAC system and you will spend much less money on your energy bills. The air inside your home or commercial building structure will become conditioned. Reduction of outside air entering your home will greatly improve the quality of air inside your home as dust and pollen will be restricted from entering. This has a positive impact on the health of you and your family members.

Contact Us

Here at Virginia Spray Foam Insulation we have a great team of experts and our company offers both residential as well as commercial spray foam insulation in Arlington, VA. Reach out to us if you have any questions or want to book your installation today! We provide a free assessment of the job that needs to be done and can offer you a quote as well.

Call (703) 270-0723