Can I get a mortgage on a house with spray foam insulation?

Mortgage lenders generally rely on the surveyor to identify the insulation present and either use that valuation to make a judgment call, some lenders and most Equity Release providers refuse to lend against properties with spray foam insulation as a blanket rule.

Does spray foam insulation increase home value?

Home inspections coupled with lower energy bills will certify your home's thermal efficiency and value. Investing in ThermoSeal Spray Foam Insulation will boost your home's resale value making it the best investment money can buy.

Can you stay in your house after spray foam insulation?

According to the EPA, occupants must stay away from the building while it cures (and as long as the dust remains) for at least 24 to 72 hours, something they, devastatingly, are not always told. If the spray foam continues to off-gas, the building can be inhospitable to occupants for years.

Does spray foam insulation count as continuous?

Medium-density, closed cell spray foam insulation provides a high performance wall assembly solution by combining four functions in one material: truly continuous insulation, a continuous air barrier, a full water-resistive barrier, and a vapor barrier.

What are the disadvantages of spray foam insulation?

Spray Foam Insulation — The Ugly Truth?

Can mold grow on spray foam insulation?

As a product, spray foam insulation does not attract mold. And unlike wood or metal, spray foam does not rot, rust or deteriorate. This means that an area properly sprayed with foam insulation will never become a food source or a hospitable environment for a mold colony.

How long will spray foam last?

With proper application, Spray Foam will last the lifetime of your home. Even roofing applications will last upwards of 30 years, with proper long-term maintenance. Spray Foam insulation adheres extremely well to virtually all substrates, and maintains its rigidity once dry.

What should exterior wall R-value be?

Typical recommendations for exterior walls are R-13 to R-23, while R-30, R-38 and R-49 are common for ceilings and attic spaces. See the Department of Energy's (DOE) ranges for recommended levels of insulation below.

What R-value is spray foam?

Closed cell spray foam has an R-value of R-7 per inch. In comparison, open cell spray foam has an R-value of R-3.8 per inch.

What does cavity R-value mean?

Cavity R-Value - Enter the R-value of any insulation to be installed in the cavities between above-grade wall structural members. The insulating values of other parts of the building assembly (e.g., gypsum board and air films) are accounted for by the program and should not be included.

How long does spray foam take to off gas?

Different manufacturers and installers of spray foam will insist that occupants vacate their homes - anywhere from 24 to 72 hours are the recommendations we've seen - to allow the foam to fully cure and off-gas.

Does spray foam create moisture problems?

While the benefits of spray foam are multifaceted—it can reduce energy costs, increase a home's structural integrity, create a moisture barrier and prolong the life of an air conditioning unit—it can also cause problems.

Where should you not use spray foam insulation?

Is spray foam a good investment?

In the last 20 years, spray foam insulation's popularity has grown immensely and for good reason. It has a very high R-value per inch when compared to other insulations like fiberglass, mineral wool, and blown-in insulations.

Is spray foam insulation worth the extra money?

If you see the benefit of insulating your new construction home correctly from the start for long-term comfort, energy savings month after month, and fewer headaches while you live in the house, then spray foam insulation may very well be worth the extra cost to you.

Is spray foam insulation in attic worth it?

A properly done spray foam job not only insulates but also greatly reduces the air leakage of a home. But that only works if the installer can get it into the places where most of the air leakage happens. In an attic, the eaves are one of the most critical places to get good coverage with the foam.

Do you need a vapor barrier with spray foam insulation?

A vapour barrier is not necessary with closed-cell foam but with open-cell spray foam such as Icynene®, it is sometimes required. Any air that migrates though a building envelope will carry water vapour. As Icynene® spray foam creates a seamless air-seal, it controls air leakage and the moisture in the air.

Which is better spray foam or fiberglass insulation?

Spray foam insulation has a higher R-value than fiberglass, making it a better insulator. Another difference between them is that spray foam is watertight while fiberglass cracks under moisture. However, installing spray foam requires a professional while fiberglass is easy to install yourself.

What is the thinnest insulation with highest R-value?

Aerogel insulation offers the highest R-value of any insulating material at less weight and thickness—ideal for construction, refineries, pipelines, and thin-gap thermal barriers.

Which insulation has the highest R-value?

Vacuum insulated panels have the highest R-value, approximately R-45 (in U.S. units) per inch; aerogel has the next highest R-value (about R-10 to R-30 per inch), followed by polyurethane (PUR) and phenolic foam insulations with R-7 per inch.

Can you over insulate a house?

It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.

What type of insulation is best for exterior walls?

Can spray foam rot your roof?

Studies show that open-cell spray foam is risky in colder climates. Indoor moisture diffuses through the foam and comes in contact with the cold roof sheathing. The spray foam traps the moisture against the roof, which results in eventual decay.

Will termites eat through foam insulation?

Researchers have concluded that termites do not eat the foam board insulation but they will tunnel through it. Insulation also provides potential protection from predators and also retains moisture, two requirements of termites.

Does spray foam crack?

Spray foam is rigid and inflexible once it cures, and foam boards are rigid from the outset. So when these materials expand and contract because of temperature changes - and that's when, not if - they can crack.