What is the R-Value of Spray Foam Insulation?

Insulation is a vital part of any building, as its primary purpose is to reduce noise from the outside and maintain a consistent temperature in the building’s environment. Contractors have a variety of options to choose from when determining which type of insulation is best for their project. Spray foam insulation is one of these choices, and is rapidly becoming more popular in both commercial and residential construction projects.

While spray foam insulation has a variety of benefits when used correctly in any project, one of the biggest is the high R-value of this type of insulation.

What does R-Value Mean?

The thermal resistance of insulation is measured per a set standard known as the “R-Value”. The higher a product’s R-value, the lower the rate of heat transfer between spaces. The R-value encompasses many aspects of the insulation, including material, weight, application, and thickness. These factors affect the transfer of thermal energy, which eventually becomes apparent in utility bill reductions from 10 to 50% depending on the type of insulation and its respective R-value.

Spray Foam Insulation R-Value

Spray foam insulation is available in two different types: open cell and closed cell. Neither is a “better” option, but instead the choice of which to use depends on the project. Regardless of which type of spray foam you opt for, when compared to traditional insulation over time, spray foam insulation has a significantly higher R-value. Energy studies have proven that fiberglass insulation loses up to 8% of its tested R-value before it’s even installed. Since spray foam insulation is created on the job site, and the application is immediate, the R-value results are consistent. Closed cell spray insulation has a higher R-value per inch, making it easier to achieve a high R-value in a smaller space, while open cell spray can target the same R-value if not restricted by space.

What does Spray Foam Insulation Cost?

The cost of equipment and materials for spray foam insulation varies depending on the geographic location of the project. However, the aged R-value for spray foam insulation has proven to remain high when compared to traditional insulation, as spray foam does not degrade over time. The composition of spray foam remains as thermogenically sound as the first day of application, and is said to last indefinitely. That stated, while the initial cost of spray foam insulation may be higher than a traditional option, over time the value is apparent.

Click here to learn about spray foam proportions for applying material.

Dave Penta is the VP of Sales at SprayWorks Equipment Group. For the past 30+ years, Dave has worked with multiple industries including; commercial and residential buildings, along with spray foam and coatings systems.

One Comment

  1. I never knew that spray foam insulation helps improve the energy efficiency of a property. It does make sense to ensure that you lessen the load of your heating or cooling units during their respective seasons. I will be sure to find a roofer that can use this for my future home once I move out.

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