Do you need to re-insulate your home? As a homeowner, you may not know much about insulation—but if you’ve been doing some research, you’ve probably seen or heard about the different materials. Foam insulation is used for both new construction and re-insulation projects, but there is more than one kind.
Spray foam and rigid foam (foam board) are two of the main types of foam insulation. What are the differences between them?
Installation Method & Material
Rigid foam insulation can be made of polystyrene, while spray foam is often made of polyurethane or polyisocyanurate. In terms of installation, spray foam is applied wet and expands into thick foam. Rigid foam, on the other hand, is available as a pre-made foam panel that can be cut to fit particular spaces.
Types of Projects
Rigid foam is typically used in new construction projects (rather than existing homes), in unfinished walls, including foundation walls. Spray foam is used for many retrofit (re-insulation) jobs and is ideal for hard-to-reach areas.
R-Values
The R-values of rigid foam and spray foam insulation vary. Rigid board R-value ranges from R-3.8 to R-5.0 per inch. Polyurethane foam insulation can have R-values ranging from R-5.5 to R-6.5 per inch. Visit the U.S. Department of Energy to learn more.
Air Infiltration
Spray foam insulation can be installed in small crevices, cracks and gaps and can help with air sealing. Air leaks can undermine the performance of insulation, so making sure your home is properly sealed as well as insulated is the best thing to do.
Foam Insulation Installers in the Arlington, WA Area
Whether you need rigid foam insulation for a new home or spray foam insulation, Pacific Partners Insulation North can help. We serve the entire Arlington, Washington area and look forward to helping you with your project.
Contact us to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation!
