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LICENSED, BONDED & INSUREDWe serve residential and commercial insulation customers in Des Moines safely and ethically.
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Spray Foam Insulation Des MoinesPaying a hefty utility bill isn't fun. Energy leaks can occur during summer and winter, both seasons of extreme temperatures that no one likes to deal with. Who wants half of their paycheck to head off to their utilities? If you're struggling to maintain a happy home, then it's time to speak to an spray foam insulation contractor that knows their stuff!
Des Moines Spray Foam Insulation has insulation contractors that can help with all insulation needs. By using our services, we'll be able to give you the best insight on where you're losing the most energy, and recommend the best solutions to help keep your home temperature-stable and more natural to live in. With a building reputation across the city of Des Moines for their spray foam insulation, our local professionals will be able to serve you with the best insulation for your home and help lower your utility bills by a long shot so you can continue to live your best life.
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Introducing: Spray Foam Insulation
Spray insulation acts as both an insulant and air sealant, sealing walls, floors, and ceiling cavities to protect against air movement. Never losing its shape, foam insulation affects the heat transfer and air flow that controls your home's efficiency in controlling the temperature.
What's it made of?
Spray foam insulation is made of spray polyurethane foam, a combination of chemicals that by mixing, create the foam. One of the containers of chemicals, side A and side B are present, representing the two liquids that combine to create the spray. The "A" side of the spray system contains methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI). These chemicals are part of the components of creating strong polyurethanes to help seal and adhere to a surface. Side "B' contains polyols, catalysts, flame retardants and surfactant, which help reduce foam bubbles, protect against flames, and create all the added benefits of sealing in temperature, soundproofing, and overall home insulation.
How's it made?
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Whether it's being applied as attic insulation, wall insulation, crawl space insulation, or just overall home insulation, foam insulation is made by mixing both side "A" and side "B" chemicals together to create the spray. Insulation, when properly installed, forms barriers along the walls and corners of a surface. When an insulation contractor comes to install the foam, they will have the barrels containing the chemicals with them, using equipment specifically designed to mix the substances through air, electric, or hydraulic means.
One factor to note is how there are two different options for spray insulation available; Open cell is light and pliable due to its composition, and when applied, gases release to make the foam adjustable. Closed cell is denser, creating a surface resistant to weathering and temperature change. Both open cell and closed cell foam insulation have better thermal performance, reducing the amount of heat or cold produced from extreme weather, allowing the resident to effectively control the environment. |
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Why is it better than other insulation materials?
Unlike fiberglass insulation or cellulose insulation, spray insulation fills the cavities, spraying into the crevices and corners of a building a durable seal finish that provides high-performance air barriers as well as proper insulation. Cellulose insulation can be considered substantial, removing drywall and damaging the integrity of a home. Fiberglass insulation, while cost-effective, has a greater chance of poor performance due to its higher chance of failure in installation. Both cellulose and fiberglass can also fall from the ceiling and create blank spots for mold growth and dirt, causing degradation. Spray foam installation, on the other hand, is light, capable, and can easily tackle corners and crevices with no hassle at all.
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How long does it last?
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If you're planning on doing home insulation or commercial insulation, foam insulation can last for more than 80 years. Nevertheless, even spray insulation can still be affected by several factors. Roof leaks, for instance, can cause damage over time, forming mold and corrosion to the interior and exterior of the spray insulation. In these cases, it's essential to check on the condition of your spray foam insulation every few years.
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How long does it take to install?
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Installation time depends on the area that is being insulated and the degree of difficulty of the job. Here's a quick guideline in what to expect from installation time:
All existing external walls – Injecting foam insulation into existing walls could take 2 to 5 hours on average, depending on the size of the area. Attics – Insulating an attic could take one to two days, depending on how old the previous insulation is and how tight space is in the attic itself. Crawl space – Crawl space insulation can take up to 2 to 3 hours, including factors such as hard to reach areas and old insulation. Rim Joist – Insulating a rim joist usually takes around 1 to 2 hours. Call Us Now If You Have More Questions... |
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Benefits of spray foam insulation
2. Air, moisture, and vapor barriers
Air barriers, moisture barriers, and vapor barriers all contribute to the durability and performance of home insulation and commercial insulation. Here's a basic outline of how spray foam insulation can protect against these factors: ▪ Air Barriers – Restricting the airflow, air barriers control the rate that air flows in and out of a structure. Critical in controlling the temperature of the air, these barriers protect the building by acting as membrane around the existing area and protect against extreme heat and cold. ▪ Moisture Barriers – Moisture, or water-resistant barriers, help to keep liquid water from entering an enclosure. When properly installed on the cold side of the insulation, moisture barriers protect against weather such as rain, sleet, or snow. ▪ Vapor Barriers – Vapor, unlike moisture and air, can create mold growth if not installed correctly. Vapor barriers protect against water vapor, and when properly installed on the warm side of the insulation, can reduce the chances of mold significantly. 
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SPF insulation has two modes which can be applied to any home insulation or commercial insulation, which are open cell and closed cell. According to the Department of Energy, air leakage can account for as much as 40 percent of the energy costs to your home or commercial building. Spray foam insulation protects against heat flow and air leakage, with a long lifespan and better cost-effectiveness. Here are other facts related to spray insulation and why you should consider this option when speaking to your insulation contractor:
1. R-value or thermal resistance of spray foam R-Value refers to how much insulation materials can resist heat. The higher the R-value, the greater the resistance. Spray foam insulation has the highest resistance against heat. For our climate zone in Des Moines, our spray foam insulation has on average about an R19 to R21 in terms of heat resistance for walls, and about R25 to R30 when used in attics, floors, and crawlspaces. Depending on the framework of your home, open cell or closed cell foam will be able to serve your needs best. Spray foam insulation is a multi-purpose barrier, aimed at protecting against all of these factors. The performance of the barriers depends on the materials used, and foam insulation has the highest chances of protecting those barriers, producing the most top performance.
3. Health and safety of SPF
When installing spray polyurethane foam, there are several health and safety concerns to consider. Because part of the components of SPF is made with flame retardant, spray insulation has to be designed to meet fire and building regulations when installed. Our insulation contractors will be able to provide guidance on how spray foam insulation works and tell you what to expect during the process. One note our insulation contractors will make make is the re-occupancy time of which residents will be allowed to return to their homes or building after installation. Re-occupancy time depends on the SPF formulation, amount of foam applied per space, current temperature, humidity, rate of ventilation, and other factors. Asking our insulation contractors is the surest way of gaining specific information of the health and safety precautions to minimise potential risk. |
How much does it cost?
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Generally speaking, open cell foam is used in residential applications for rooflines, attic floors, exterior walls, and soundproof insulation. Closed cell is used for residential applications in crawl spaces and basements as well as many commercial insulation settings. Our insulation contractors will be able to discuss with your prices depending on the areas they work in and the different quality of insulation required for maximum protection
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