User:Samershalash/sandbox

= Spray Foam Insulation = by Samer Shalash

=== Spray foam insulation is a secondary type of insulation that is used in homes, on walls, in cracks, ceilings, light fixtures, electrical outlets, etc. It is used as an alternative to traditional insulations made of cotton, wool, and plastic fibers. It has been argued that the spray foam insulation works more effectively than the traditional insulation because its primary liquid nature is able to get into cracks and crevices that other insulations can not. It is also been proven to be a "greener" solution since some spray foam materials are made from recycled products. ===

Primary Uses
The insulation is most commonly used in homes and businesses which have large rooms where air and moisture can come in and out. The foam is sprayed in between walls to keep heat or cold inside, as well as keeping moisture from weather or surroundings outside. It is widely used in attics to minimize the heat loss into the open space above your home. The insulation inside your walls and ceilings can make a big difference on overall HVAC costs. The savings on heating and air are a lot more effective with the spray foam because there is less air that would normally escape through cracks or areas where traditional insulation did not completely fill. Air leaks are one of the biggest reasons for high energy and HVAC bills. The spray foam is extremely water/moisture resistant and also provides no source of food so that it resists mold and germs as well. Spray foam insulation is preferred over traditional insulation as well because of its long life span and minimal need for sustaining or respraying.

History
Industrial Chemist, Otto Bayer, first began working and reformulation a spray foam insulation product in Germany. After many trials, failures, notes, and renditions he finally created a product that seemed to work. In the 1940s, he brought his work to the US. Once the final rendition was completed, the popularity of the insulation began to grow among homeowners. In the 1960s, the foam was used in many military and aviation applications until technological advances allowed the chemicals to be more easily mixed and dispersed. The 'Blendometer' was created in the 1950s and allowed all the components of the polyurethane mixture to be stirred right before it is sprayed. In the 1970s, an advanced spray nozzle allowed easier application and thus became more popular in construction applications.

How It's Made
Spray foam insulation is a chemical reaction of two liquids being combined. The first chemical used in the combination generally consists of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate also known as (MDI) and polymeric methylene biphenyl diisocyanate also known as (pMDI). The second chemical used is usually a mixture of polyols, catalysts, blowing agent, flame retardant, and surfactant. When these two are combined it creates the liquid foam which is sprayed onto an area in which it will then turn into a solid. The second chemical is what creates the cells of the foam. It's liquid nature allows for easy application, while the hardening of the insulation makes it last for a long time as well as take up more empty space.

Price
There are two different types of spray foam. Open-cell spray foam costs between $0.44 and $0.65 per board foot. This one tends to be the cheaper option of the two options. Closed-cell spray foam costs between $1.00 to $1.59 per board foot. This option tends to be more expensive due to its higher R-Value and its ability to strengthen the structure of weak ceilings and walls. Insulation varies from location and is typically around $2,000 but could costs hundreds of thousands for commercial use.

Reasons Traditional Insulation is Used
There are several reasons as to why some may opt out of using spray foam and stick with traditional insulation. Spray foam can costs up to two to three times more than traditional insulation, meaning it can be very costly especially for those on a budget when building or redoing a building. Spray foam is also very easy to misuse and over sprayed which can cause damages to windows and HVAC equipment. Lastly, spray foam rises a big concern for moisture damage. Moisture damage can lead to major issues such as problems with rotting, roofing, and structure.