E=mc Spray Foam Contacting E=mc Spray Foam About E=mc Spray Foam Advantages of Spray Foam Understanding Spray Foam E=mc Spray Foam Home Page Spray Foam Poducts

FAQ's

What is Spray Foam Insulation?
Advantages of Spray Foam Insulation?
What is Spray Foam Insulation Made of?
How Long Does it Take to Cure?
Does the Foam Absorb Water?
Does the Foam Entrap Moisture?
Does the Foam Change Physically Over Time?
Any Worries Environmentally?
Flammability and Fire-Rating?
What Does the Smoke Contain?
Any Harmful Emissions?
How is Spray Foam Installed?
Any Electric Wiring Overheating Problems?
Is the Insulation Corrosive to Metals?
Bacteria or Fungal Growth?
What About Mice and Termites?
What Are the Acoustic Properties?
Is Spray Foam Urea Formaldehyde?
Does Spray Foam Break Down, Sag or Shrink?
R-Value of Spray Foam?
At What Stage is The Spray Foam Installed?
How do I Arrange for Spray Foam in My Home?

What is Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray Foam is a complete insulation, air and moisture barrier system that windproofs and seals wall, floor and ceiling cavities against air movement, including spaces around electrical outlets and light fixtures, at baseboards and where walls meet windows and doors. This means that outside air (either hot or cold) cannot seep through walls, causing drafts or cold spots. It also means that humid interior air cannot enter the walls and condense. Our system combines a material with a Certified Service providing any builder or homeowner with a truly cost effective method of energy efficient construction. The material is isocyanate foam an organic material developed from products of the petrochemical industry similar in composition to many that are already in home use today. The service is a custom installation on the building site by trained and Certified Installers, providing a custom insulation fit into any size cavity. By virtue of its low permeability to air, its adhesion to other building materials and its flexibility, Spray Foam becomes much more than just insulation. It provides superior air leakage control, moisture control and sound control in addition to insulation, thus becoming a one step insulation, moisture/vapor barrier, wind barrier system. Spray Foam takes the place of fiberglass, polyethylene vapor barrier, tape, and caulking, and eliminates the labor intensive work associated with air-tightness detailing when insulating with conventional insulation products. Unlike ''loose fill'' insulation methods that do not wind proof building cavities, the air sealing characteristics of Spray Foam provide virtually the same R-Value in the field as it does in the laboratory where the R-Value is measured. Cold air in winter and hot muggy air in summer just cannot pass through isocyanate foam like it can through most other insulating materials.
Back to Top


Advantages of Spray Foam Insulation?
As well as simplifying the construction process for the builder, Spray Foam eliminates the major causes of building envelope problems, air-borne moisture movement and entrapment. Heating and cooling costs are typically reduced by 30 to 50%, and smaller, less expensive heating and cooling equipment can be used.

For the homeowner the advantages are:
Compared to other technologies, Spray Foam is a less expensive method of building an energy efficient home.

  • A more energy efficient home means that energy costs can usually be reduced between 30 and 50%.
  • A more comfortable home, free from drafts and cold spots.
  • A quieter home because Spray Foam creates a continuous sound barrier against outside noises.
  • A healthier home - when used with a mechanical ventilation system, superior indoor air quality provides your family with a much healthier place in which to live.

Back to Top

What is Spray Foam Insulation Made Of?
Spray Foam insulation is a water-based formula that contains no formaldehyde, CFCs or HCFCs. The insulation has the texture and look of angel food cake and is made up of millions of tiny cells. These cells are filled with air and provide permanent control of air and airborne moisture movement. There are no VOCs detected in Spray Foam after 30 days.
Back to Top

How Long Does it Take to Cure?
The foam is created in seconds after spraying. You can watch it expand within seconds to 120 times its original volume, literally before your eyes. It completely cures within a few minutes.
Back to Top

Does the Foam Absorb Water?
No, it looks like a sponge but it is actually hydrophobic, i.e., it repels water. If placed in water it will float and on removal it will dry rapidly and loose none of its insulating properties.
Back to Top

Does the Foam Entrap Moisture?
Spray Foam Insulation is a breathing foam, and any moisture in the building's concrete or lumber can escape through the insulation as the building dries out, thus eliminating any risk of rot or mildew.
Back to Top

Does the Foam Change Physically Over Time?
No, it is inert. Its physical and insulating properties are constant.
Back to Top

Any Worries Environmentally?
No, the product is environmentally safe.
Back to Top

Flammability and Fire-Rating?
Spray Foam contributes no fuel in the event of fire and it will not sustain flame upon removal of the flame source. However, like fiberglass, it will be consumed by flame, and gypsum board or other acceptable thermal barriers are required by applicable building codes.
Back to Top

What Does the Smoke Contain?
Smoke from Spray Foam, like that of all organic materials including wood, is a complex of many gasses. The major components in the smoke from Spray Foam Insulation are carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. By the time the material is burnt, the fire will have been raging for at least 15 minutes.
Back to Top

Any Harmful Emissions?
Spray Foam is safe for both you and the environment. Spray Foam is water-based, and does not produce formaldehyde, CFCs or HCFCs. It has been extensively tested in both Canada and the United States and found to have no VOCs detected after 30 days.
The product is in fact recommended for use in homes for many environmentally concerned or sensitive people.
Back to Top

How is Spray Foam Installed?
There are two different ways to install Spray Foam insulation —- spray it onto any open surface and studded wall or inject it into an existing wall cavity when renovating.

With any open surface, Spray Foam insulation can be sprayed on once electrical and plumbing services are in place. It then expands to 120 times its initial volume in seconds, permanently adhering to the surfaces of the surrounding building materials and sealing all gaps.
Back to Top

Any Electric Wiring Overheating Problems?
No, Spray Foam insulation has been tested and is not a concern to electrical authorities.
Back to Top

Is the Insulation Corrosive to Metals?
No, Spray Foam insulation is non-corrosive. It is neutral, neither acidic or alkaline.
Back to Top

Does the Insulation Support Bacteria or Fungal Growth?
Spray Foam insulation offers no food value; therefore it does not support bacteria or fungal growth. It also does not retain water, making it an unappealing environment for pests.
Back to Top

What About Mice and Termites?
Spray Foam insulation offers no food value, but it would not present a sufficient barrier to their entry if they decided to gnaw through it.
Back to Top

What Are the Acoustic Properties?
As an effective air seal, Spray Foam insulation eliminates the air gaps through which sound travels and is superior in controlling mid-range frequencies, which include the most common sounds, the human voice and stereo music.
Back to Top

Is Spray Foam Urea Formaldehyde?
No.
Back to Top

Does Spray Foam Break Down, Sag or Shrink?
No, Spray Foam Insulation is stable. It does not shrink or sag. The reaction that creates Spray Foam is irreversible and it cannot break down into its constituent parts.
Back to Top

R-Value of Spray Foam?
R-value is derived from a controlled laboratory test of an insulation's resistance to conductive heat flow. Spray Foam R-value is 4 per inch for open cell foam and 7 per inch for closed cell.
Back to Top

At What Stage is The Spray Foam Installed?
The Spray Foam is installed after the windows, doors and roof are in, the electrical, framing and plumbing inspections are complete, and after any other electrical or mechanical system located behind the drywall is installed. It is the last installation to take place before drywall installation.
Back to Top

How do I Arrange for Spray Foam in My Home?
Talk to your builder early and let him know that you would like to have Spray Foam installed in your home. E=mc Spray Foam can provide a builder demonstration video and technical support so that Spray Foam is an available option for your home.
Back to Top

Spray Foam - Side Menu
   
E=mc Spray Foam Footer
NAHB - Green Building ProgramSpacerGreenguard

Copyright 2009

Site Design: Sitegraffix

 

Healthier Home Explained Energy Efficiency Frequently Asked Questions Comparisons Explained Retro Fitthe R-Value Myth Explained Energy Star Efficiency