what is spray foam insulation

How Does Spray Foam Insulation Work?

Spray foam insulation is one of the most innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective insulants on the market today. It’s the latest alternative to traditional insulation types such as fibreglass, and is extremely versatile.

Spray foam insulation is capable of being applied in a multitude of areas, including the roof, ceilings, walls, loft and those tricky nooks and crannies found in every property. You’ll find that spray foam insulation can get to those hard to reach places with complete ease.

This is because spray foam insulation is sprayed into the area in a liquid form, and then transforms into a foam. Capable of expanding up to 100 times its original size, spray foam is more than equipped to insulate any space.

Spray foam insulation offers a virtually airtight seal that creates an air barrier. It’s this air barrier that sets spray foam insulation apart from other kinds of insulation, making it a cut above the rest.

If you’d like to speak to us about how spray foam insulation can help you and your property, or get a free survey, then please fill out our contact form.

Spray Foam Insulation in 3 Simple Steps

Spray foam insulation is a foam that’s sprayed into a space, sealing air and providing insulation to the property, or room that it’s applied to. As a result, the structure of the building is enhanced, too.

Isocyanate and Polyole resin combine with a blowing agent to form Polyurethane, a heat activated polymer that forms an airtight barrier. There are two types of spray foam insulation; open cell foam insulation and closed cell foam insulation (see our grid below for more information on the different types of foam insulation).

Some key benefits of using spray foam insulation are: lower energy expenses, prevention of mould growth and leaks, and stronger building structure. In addition to this, spray foam insulation is better for our environment - making it the ideal choice for the environmentally friendly consumer.

Open Cell vs Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation takes on two main forms: open cell and closed cell. Both spray foam insulation types have several benefits. However, one may be better suited for different areas of your project than the other. Find out below which one has the specifications you need.

Open Cell Foam

  • Expands up to 100 times its size.
  • Light and airy composition.
  • Excellent energy-saving properties.
  • Vapour impermeable properties.
  • 100% water-blown.
  • A breathable foam.
  • Cost-effective insulation.

Closed Cell Foam

  • Superior thermal values.
  • Highly dense.
  • Water impermeable properties.
  • Adds structural integrity.
  • Resistant to moisture & mould growth.
  • Effective asbestos encapsulation.
  • Suitable for commercial applications.
Spray Foam Benefits

What Are the Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation?

In addition to its thermal benefits, the air barrier that spray foam insulation creates prevents the mixing of cold and warm air within the space. As a result, the risk of condensation is reduced, thereby prolonging the lifespan of your building.

In recent years, the recommended depth of fibreglass insulation has increased to 270 mm, which means that some people are unable to insulate their lofts this way because there simply isn’t enough space between the joists.

However, spray foam insulation is versatile, and can easily be applied between the rafters, allowing homeowners to put their loft spaces to new use.

Additionally, the open cell spray foam insulation we use is 100% water-blown, with no volatile organic compounds. This makes it the perfect choice for the environmentally conscious user.

Our Spray Foam Installation Process

When it comes to installing spray foam insulation, it’s important to have a well-thought-out strategy. With over 20-years of experience under our belts, the team at Eco Spray-Foam Systems have perfected our installation process, meaning that you can feel confident we’ve covered every base. When you call us, this is what we’ll deliver:

1 Inspection

Contact our team today to book a free inspection. This allows our experts to understand your needs, size up the project, and agree on the next steps. We believe in being transparent throughout the whole process, and your free survey allows us to do so.

2 Assessment

We determine what current insulation you have in place and perform a series of tests, such as moisture and heat tests. These tests give us the information we need to make sound recommendations on how we may approach the project in question. You’ll get a full written report outlining the options.

3 Reporting

Our comprehensive report of your current situation will include an assessment of the current conditions, and our recommendations will be accompanied by an analysis of the benefits that spray foam insulation can bring to your property.

4 Installation

Here we’ll put the theory into practice and start the process of installing spray foam insulation in the property. We will begin the process on a pre-agreed date, and will conduct ourselves professionally throughout. The work will be carried out by experts, and we will also notify you in advance of the timescale for the installation.

5 Follow Up

Finally, the team at Eco Spray Foam will follow up after installation to make sure you’re satisfied with the results. We want to make certain that our state-of-the-art spray foam insulation is both to your satisfaction and fulfils your expectations. Customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance to our company, and to reassure you on this point, you can see our Checkatrade ratings here.

6 Relax

Once our installation of the spray foam insulation is complete, you can sit back and relax knowing that your property is insulated to a high standard. You will also start to see a reduction in energy consumption, resulting in lower energy bills each month. Good news for your wallet and your carbon footprint.

Benefit

Energy Efficiency

Insulation is one of the most efficient ways to save energy. Roof heat insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is estimated that in a year, a typical three-bedroom, semi-detached house saves up to 50% on energy bills if you install some form of loft and cavity wall spray foam insulation.

Benefit

Noise Reduction

Aside from maintaining the desired temperature in your home all year round, having insulation is also useful in reducing noise pollution.

The Difference Between Spray Foam Insulation & Traditional Materials

As mentioned earlier, spray foam insulation forms an air barrier on the surface where it’s applied, helping to mitigate air leakage from your building.

Air sealing your building with spray foam roof insulation will help prevent moisture ingress, effectively reduce the risk of mould and mildew growth, and help decrease the risk of ice dams and leaks during the winter.

When you compare spray foam insulation to traditional fibreglass and cellulose insulation, you will see that air infiltration is minimised, as the insulating material helps to limit moisture vapour from entering and escaping your house. These leaks account for up to 40% of the energy cost to heat or cool your house. So, when you install spray foam insulation, you reduce the pressure on your heating and cooling systems massively.

Air Seal

Mould

Moisture

KIWA

We Are KIWA Certified

As a home and residential insulation company, we aim to instil confidence and trust in our customers. Through our partnership and certification with KIWA, we meet high standards of quality and customer care.

KIWA focuses on the safeguarding of health, the provision of a sustainable, high-quality service and the assurance of customer satisfaction. Our KIWA-certified status states that Eco Spray Foam Systems is recognised by KIWA as providing the highest levels of customer satisfaction and upholding safety provisions throughout our insulation work.

Spray Foam Us

Why Choose Us To Take Care of Your Spray Foam Insulation Needs:

Our specialists have been delivering premium-quality products and expert services for over two decades, and are certified users of spray foam insulation. In addition to this, we use the latest technological insulation solutions for modern-day applications.

Using the most up-to-date insulating technology on the market, coupled with our expert industry knowledge, we provide bespoke, a high quality insulation service for the entire United Kingdom.

But don’t just take our word for it - have a read of some of our raving customer reviews below. We also have a Checkatrade rating of 9.5, so you can feel confident that when you put your trust in us, we will deliver.

Book Your Free Survey Today

For enquiries about our products and services, or to get a spray foam insulation quote, you can call us directly on 0203 411 5188, or use our online contact form.

What Our Clients Say

Over our 20 + years of experience, we have collected excellent reviews from thousands of clients across London, Manchester, Kent, Essex and beyond. You can see below what some of them had to say:

Quotes

Pitched Roof Insulation

Very happy, gentlemen were polite and left everything tidy.

- Lana Allman, March 2021

10
Quotes

Pitched Roof Insulation

Already feel the difference. Thank you.

- Rachel Blowes, February 2021

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FAQs

  • Is getting spray foam insulation a good idea?

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  • Yes, it is. No matter the type of spray foam, your home will reap all kinds of benefits. Open-cell spray foam insulation, for example, has better noise-cancelling properties than any other insulation type. Meanwhile, closed-cell foam makes your walls sturdier, ensuring that your house is safe during harsh weather conditions and boosting the overall value of the property.
  • Do you need to cover spray foam insulation?

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  • When you apply a spray foam insulation, you will also need a thermal barrier to separate it from the occupied spaces. What’s more, if there’s a fire in the building, this thermal bubble shield will keep the combustible spray foam away from any open flames and increase its overall fire resistance.
  • Where should you not use expanding foam?

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  • Many spray foam insulation companies don’t recommend using spray foam in areas that are too close to electrical boxes and ceiling lightboxes. Also, spray foam shouldn’t be used to insulate areas around recessed ceiling canister lights.
  • Can mould grow on spray foam insulation?

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  • Apart from providing insulation, SFI controls the indoor humidity and condensation, therefore preventing mould from growing and spreading. If your building is suffering from these kinds of problems, it would be wise to consider spray foam insulation services as soon as possible.
  • Will mice eat spray foam insulation?

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  • Mice are known to chew through almost anything, from electrical wires and fibreglass insulation batts to even rigid foam insulation. Generally, however, mice have no interest in chewing through spray foam insulation, as it’s in no way similar to any of their food sources.
  • How long does spray foam insulation last?

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  • According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (IACHI), spray foam insulation can last for more than 80 years. Although we guarantee it for 25 years.
  • Which is better, spray foam or fibreglass insulation?

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  • Spray foam is a far better insulator than fibreglass, boasting a higher U-value and more efficiency. Because of its expanding nature, spray foam insulation can fill in all the tiny gaps within the space it is applied to, creating a completely airtight seal. In contrast, fibreglass still allows some air to pass through due to its composition, making it less effective overall.
  • Can you leave spray foam insulation exposed?

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  • As long as you use it indoors, you can leave spray foam insulation exposed. However, when exposed to sunlight, spray foam will deteriorate rapidly, typically within about a year. If used in a space such as an attic, for instance, spray foam insulation can be left exposed, but it’s not recommended to do so in the main living areas in your home.
  • Which is better, open or closed-cell foam insulation?

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  • Closed-cell thermal foam insulation has a higher U-value than its open-cell foam counterpart. This higher rating makes closed-cell foam better at keeping heat in or out of your building. This doesn’t make closed-cell foam better per se, though. Each type has its own unique advantages, so carefully consider what you want for your building before deciding what to get.