Is Spray Foam the Best Insulation for Your Home?

When it comes to making your home more comfortable and energy efficient, adding spray foam insulation is one of the most effective solutions. DIYers and professionals alike can use this insulation to fill uprights, beams, and other spaces that fiberglass blocks may not reach. It's also a popular choice for insulating basements, as it often works very well. People love spray foam for its air barrier, vapor barrier, and energy-saving properties due to its high R-value per inch.

Spray foam is a more practical alternative to mineral wool insulation, as it doesn't require walls to be completely open and is more affordable. As an expert in spray foam installations in Toronto, I understand that these are mainly petroleum-based chemicals, and that is why they are handled by well-trained and licensed professionals in Canada. There's no doubt that spray foam is a toxic petroleum-based chemical mixture that is sprayed on the inside of walls, which not only insulates them well but also makes them airtight.

The Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

One of the most highly promoted aspects of spray foam insulation is its airtightness. By insulating your home with foam insulation, you can save 15 to 50 percent on monthly energy bills.

As someone active in the aerosol foam industry in the Canadian market, I'd like to clarify some inaccuracies in this regard. The amine is a derivative of ammonia and can produce the fishy smell of gases that are often released in homes that are sprayed with this type of insulating foam.

The Cost of Spray Foam Insulation

Aerosol foam insulation is usually two to three times more expensive than cellulose or fiberglass insulation. Therefore, if you decide to use spray foam insulation during a renovation, I strongly recommend that you also include a good HRV or ERV ventilation unit so that fresh air can enter quickly without consuming excessive energy. Small-house builders often don't include ventilation systems, leaving you trapped with freshly sprayed chemicals and no way for the gas to escape with metal boxes and concrete basements.

Aerobarrier Spray

Aerobarrier Spray is applied by pressurizing a home and filling the air in the house with tiny droplets that stick to small openings to seal them.

This created the perfect opportunity to talk about spray foam as an “environmentally friendly insulator”, even though many manufacturers simply complied with the new regulations at the last minute.