Spray Foam Insulation Great Falls, VA

Spray foam insulation in Great Falls, VA is being used by more and more people in both the residential as well as commercial sector today as the traditional methods of insulation such as cellulose and fiberglass are slowly fading out. Since the installation cost for spray foam insulation is typically higher than other types of insulation, you may be wondering if it is really worth it.

Also, did you know that installing spray foam insulation in your crawlspace can eliminate cold floors and cut down your energy bills? Here at Virginia Spray Foam Insulation we not only provide great service but also educate our customers. We welcome you to use our website as a source of information to learn more about this great insulating product.

Cost-effective Spray Foam Insulation Great Falls VA

Difference between Injection Foam Insulation and Spray Foam Insulation

Installer Spray Foam Insulation Great Falls VA

Some people use “injection foam” and “spray foam” interchangeably; however both of these products are not the same but both do the same work in the sense that they help to create an air barrier in your house or commercial building which ultimately makes your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

The main difference is the installation, the actual products itself and how they function. Though both injection form and spray foam insulation have similar insulating properties, we install each one in a completely different way. In addition to this they are each used in different areas and they are installed with the help of different tools. For the purpose of installing injection foam, we do not break down or tear down any of your drywall. It is used mainly in enclosed cavities of pre-existing walls.

Similar to spray foam insulation, the injection foam products are mixed at the job site and when the resin mixes with the foaming agent and water it becomes injection foam insulation and is ready for installation. Injection foam is open cell foam that is non-expanding in nature.

Now suppose there is fiberglass or cellulose insulation already present in your walls, and you want us to install injection foam. In this case, the fiberglass does not need to be removed but the cellulose insulation will need to be removed as much as possible before using injection foam.

Installing Open-cell Spray Foam Insulation Great Falls VA

The type of siding too will have an impact in the installation process. For example a vinyl or aluminum siding will require a part of the siding to be removed so that holes can be drilled into the cavities. The injection form which is ready to use is passed through a hose with a nozzle. Then the nozzle is placed in the holes so that the injection form can be installed inside the cavities. Once this is complete, a Styrofoam plug is used to fill the holes and the siding is replaced all around the house.

If you have brick exteriors, then smaller holes are drilled through each of the mortar joints between each stud. The injection foam is installed and once the cavities are full, re-mortaring of the holes is done. If you have a wood siding then the process will be a little more difficult. If the siding is removable, the same process as for the vinyl and aluminum siding is followed. In cases where the siding cannot be removed at all, holes are drilled through the wood siding. Once the form is injected, the holes are filled with wood plugs.

On the other hand, spray foam insulation in Great Falls, VA is usually installed only in open cavities. Areas where spray foam insulation is installed is in crawlspace is, attic’s, rim Joyce, under the floor, basement and wall cavities of new homes.

Unlike injection foam which is usually made of a three-part resin, spray foam insulation in Great Falls, Virginia is generally made at the job site itself. When to chemicals containing polyol resin and isocyanate are mixed, spray foam insulation is formed. Before installing any spray form insulation, any cellulose insulation or fiberglass insulation which is already installed must definitely be removed. This is because spray foam insulation needs a clean substrate to adhere to. Just like injection form this will ensure that the spray foam fills every crack and crevice and completely air seal the area that it is sprayed in.

Spray Foam Insulation in the Crawl Space

If you have cold floors and freezing pipes, you might want to consider insulating your crawl space with spray foam insulation in Great Falls, VA. Crawlspaces should always be insulated with an insulation that is non-water sensitive. This will prevent the interior air from coming into contact with the goal surfaces of the basement and blocking any moisture and condensation which can promote mildew and mold. Crawlspaces that do not have a non-water sensitive insulation will attract moisture and this can even cause your wooden floorboards to rot. It has been noticed that homes which have been insulated with spray foam insulation saved 20 to 40% of their energy bills a year. Older homes have no or little insulation in the crawlspace. This is the major reason behind drafts and cold floors.

Basement Spray Foam Insulation Great Falls VA

If there is already pre-existing insulation in the crawl space such as fiberglass, this needs to be removed and disposed of in a proper manner. Sometimes there are mechanicals and ductwork which is present in crawl spaces and in this case we lay down some plastic on the ground before spraying the crawlspace walls or the rim joist.

In Great Falls AV using spray foam insulation in the crawlspace seals off the foundation of a house or a building and it allows the crawlspace to be almost the same temperature as the rest of the house. A bonus of crawlspace insulation is that all the heat from the mechanicals passes through the floors, which adds greater comfort. Suppose there is no ductwork or mechanicals in your crawlspace, our team will just spray the ceiling of the crawlspace with spray foam insulation in order to enclose this area.

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Fiberglass versus Spray Foam Insulation for the Crawl Space

Fiberglass is popularly used for insulating crawl spaces and other parts of a house or building structure. Basically fiberglass insulation is made of plastic but it is reinforced by very fine glass fibers. This adds strength to the plastic and improves the insulation power of fiberglass insulation.

Traditionally, fiberglass was very common and used in different parts of the house and building structure such as the attic, walls, basements, floor and crawlspace. In crawlspaces, fiberglass is used in the form of batts and rolls, but it can also be used as loose fill in other parts of the house.

Fiberglass Spray Foam Insulation Great Falls VA

Some of the pros of fiberglass insulation are:

It is inexpensive compared to spray foam insulation.
It is great for joist spaces and stud spaces that have standard spacing in the crawl space
Fiberglass insulation can be considered a DIY project for the crawlspace

Cons of fiberglass insulation for the crawl space:

If fiberglass in the crawl spaces is disturbed, tiny glass particles get released into the air and can cause severe respiratory issues including nosebleeds and coughing.

These glass particles can even enter the skin. These particles can cause rashes, itching and irritation.
Fiberglass insulation can trap dust, moisture and allergens and this can cause the growth of mold and bacteria.
The fiberglass insulation will ultimately droop because of gravity, if fiberglass insulation is used to insulate the underside of the floor.

Fiberglass insulation is not effective in reducing the flow of air. This is the reason why your floors are cold which can be uncomfortable.
You will end up spending much more money on your energy bills.

If open cell spray foam insulation is used in Great Falls, VA to insulate the crawlspace, it can expand up to hundred times and it fills every crack and crevice that creates an air barrier. This completely seals the area and stops all movement of air. The main ingredient of spray foam insulation is water-blown and chemical compounds that are derived from petroleum extracts.

Some of the pros of spray foam insulation for crawlspaces are:

Spray foam is completely safe for the environment.
Most spray foam insulation products are class one fire rated and safe to use in crawlspaces and other cavities in your house or building structure.
There will be no growth of mould or mildew because spray foam insulation does not retain any water or moisture.
No pests or rodents will attack the spray foam insulation because it is not a food source for them.
The R-value of spray foam insulation is quite high.
Spray foam insulation will not allow air to pass from the crawlspace to the above floors and your house will remain warm and comfortable.
Spray foam insulation how do you save on energy bills.

Some of the cons of spray foam insulation in Great Falls, VA are:

Installing spray foam insulation in the crawlspace is quite difficult and it is not a DIY project therefore you must hire the services of a professional in order to complete this job.
Spray foam insulation is more expensive than any other traditional forms of insulation.

How Hiring a Spray Foam Insulation Contractor in Great Falls Saves Money

Even though you may be thinking that it is a disadvantage to spend extra money on hiring a spray foam insulation contractor to install your spray foam insulation in Great Falls, on the contrary, hiring a professional can actually save you a lot of money in the long run. Here’s how:

Installation Spray Foam Insulation Great Falls VA

Workmanship quality: When hiring a spray foam insulation contractor, always ensure that you hire a contractor who has a certified license and enough work experience. Workmanship quality is obviously determined by the amount of experience that one has, the skills that they posses and the tools and products that they use. A good spray foam insulation contractor in Great Falls, VA should have the skills, experience and equipment in order to do a perfect spray foam insulation project in your residence or commercial building structure. A spray foam insulation job that is a DIY project may not be proper and you will be spending a lot more money in trying to rectify this mistake.

Observation of safety rules: Though a professional spray foam insulation contractor may seem like a big expense, hiring a general contractor will cost you even more. A person who is not professional may overlook important safety points that should normally be followed during the installation of spray foam insulation. This can lead to dangers such as fire hazards, exposure to toxins and VOCs and other complications. A general contractor will not be specialized in the field of spray foam insulation in Great Falls, VA and can easily overlook certain details such as the amount of ventilation that is necessary when using spray foam insulation in your home or commercial building. This will adversely affect the air quality in your environment.

Installing Spray Foam Insulation Great Falls VA

Careful disposal of old insulation material and spray foam insulation waste: If you are renovating your house and have all insulation such as fiber glass or cellulose which needs to be removed in order to install performance elation, a professional insulation contractor in Great Falls VA will know exactly how and where to dispose of all the waste material.

Long life of spray foam insulation: Spray foam insulation in Great Falls, VA that is made of good quality will last you a long time. Always ensure that good quality products are used as low quality insulation products will decrease the quality of the insulation and overall will not be up to your satisfaction.

Contact Us

Our company specializes in spray foam insulation for the Great Falls, VA area, providing service for both residential and commercial clients. If you're convinced that you need to install insulation in your crawlspace, attic, basement, or walls, don’t hesitate to contact us today and we'll offer you a free quote based on your specific needs.

Call (703) 270-0723