Spray On Moisture Barrier Foam Insulation

Of note the thickness required is product specific.

Spray on moisture barrier foam insulation.

If the basement in question has a problem with external liquid water migration this issue can not be solved with spray foam. Spray foam systems provide the highest level of thermal insulation and provides a monolithic fully sealed air and moisture barrier. Open cell spray foam is not a moisture vapor barrier and will allow moisture to pass. Foam was required before qualifying as a vapor barrier.

Offering up to 50 more energy saving compare to conventional insulation has made foam insulation the favorite for both eco conscious customers and also the ones who desire to save more money on energy bills in longer period. They are combined with flashing and other materials to ensure that there is a shingled assembly to direct liquid water. If you ve got spray foam insulation in an attic for example it s probably already separated from the living space by a thermal barrier. One manufacturer demilec says its heatlok high lift spray foam has an even higher r value r 7 5 per in closed cell foam is much denser about 2 lb.

Spray foam is used as thermal barrier air barrier moisture resistant and in some cases as sound proofing product. There are three classes of vapor barriers. Closed cell spray foam limitations. Closed cell spray foam can be a vapor barrier after it is installed at least 1 5 thick.

For example closed cell foam is from class ii and open cell is from class iii. Moisture barriers should be installed on the cold side of the insulation. But if foam is open cell that barrier must be applied. Since spray foam is an air barrier and insulation it stops the air flow and moisture movement.

The chemicals being sprayed these days only require one inch of foam. For some manufacturers the foam is required to be at least 2 5 thick to qualify as a vapor barrier. Closed cell foam has a much higher r value than open cell foam about r 6 5 per inch and it s a vapor barrier as well as an air barrier. So if you re considering spraying foam to the roof deck of your new or existing home you want open cell.

If there s a roof leak water will pass through the foam and you will quickly be able to find your problem. Years ago approximately 2 1 2 inches of 2 lb. Scientists still discuss if those methods are efficient. Ft and it s unaffected by water.

Ccspf is a great air and vapor barrier but it is not effective at sealing liquid water leaks. Many of them don t agree that vapor barriers are so necessary even with open cell foam insulation. If a home has spray foam insulation in an attic or crawl space the building code requires using materials or assemblies that offer some fire resistance but not as much as is required for a thermal barrier. Its spray applied installation process speeds construction and reduces labor costs substantially estimated up to 1 square foot.