Spray Foam Insulation: Does It Have Any Pros And Cons?

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The pros and cons of spray foam insulation materials are quite wide-ranging. We’ll take a few moments to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of spray foam insulation. I will cause a surprise here and say that the pros (there are many) vastly outweigh the cons (there are a few, but they aren’t significant).

How does spray foam insulation compare to other types of insulation? We have compiled a couple of lists that should assist you in answering this question.

Pros of Spray Foam Insulation

  • Our qualified, fast-working and skilled insulation installation teams are able to make your project easy to execute.
  • Our foam products do not contain blowing agents, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) or hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) that are harmful to humans.
  • During the foam setting process, no off-gassing is produced after the foam has set. During the insulation process, air sealing is applied to each square foot of your office, which makes it a superior insulation choice.
  • The savings in energy over time far exceed the costs of installing the system at the beginning.
  • There’s a good chance that you will not dread getting those energy bills during extreme weather months because spray foam can reduce them by as much as 50%.
  • In addition to increasing the value of your home, spray foam insulation is also a great way to increase energy efficiency.
  • Foam insulation, unlike traditional fiberglass insulation, is somewhat synthetic and hardens along with the cure process, which means it’s less likely to attract insects (or rodents, as noted above) than more traditional insulation.

Cons of Spray Foam Insulation

  • The foam isn’t designed to act as a barrier to prevent rodents from getting in, despite the fact that (as previously mentioned) rodents aren’t attracted to intuit is necessary to ventilate the building during the curing period (curing is the process by which foam sets) associated with foam installation.
  • In order to achieve a proper cure of the foam (i.e., setting), some off-gassing is produced during the installation process.
  • Foam spray insulation typically costs more than fiberglass insulation or other types of insulation, regardless of the size or shape of the building.
  • There has been some evidence (mostly anecdotal) that termites and carpenter ants are able to chew the plastic insulation found in spray foam and take residence inside of it. The most effective way to keep pests away is by regularly conducting pest control, as well as undertaking pest abatement procedures.

The Working Principle of Spray Foam Insulation

There is a somewhat technical description that goes something like this: Insulation works by slowing down (mostly) conductive heat flow and (to a lesser extent) convective heat flow.

According to the U.S, According to the Department of Energy, heat conducts through materials as it moves through the spoon handle to reach your hand when it is placed in a hot cup of coffee. “Convection occurs when heat moves through liquids and gases, which is way cooler, denser air sinks and lighter, warmer air rises.”

A cooler area receives heat from a warmer one. Basically, the hot air is slowly moving toward the cooler air where there is a temperature difference until it evens out.

Is this a problem for you or your office? Heat escapes from the body when it is cold outside, meanwhile, when it is very hot outside and very cool inside, the warmth from outside tries to get in.

This heat transfer (or flow) is prevented or slowed down by thermal insulation.

As we move on to examine the DOE for further guidance regarding this subject, it may be suggested that heating systems need to be installed to replace the heat that is lost in the winter, and cooling systems need to remove the heat that is gained in the summer. If you properly insulate, this will reduce the rate of heat transport, as you will be providing an effective barrier against its flow.”

With better insulation, your heating and air conditioning systems can work less and this means less work for them. If they spend less time working for you, then you spend less money!

Royal Spray Foam

As a leading insulation company, we’ve designed a system that prevents energy waste.

When we spray foam insulation into wall spaces, crawl spaces, ceilings, etc., it expands as it comes into contact with liquid components.

As a result of the expansion process, gaps are sealed, an air barrier is formed, and the structure is sealed and kept insulated. Furthermore, it can prevent moisture from getting inside, which can prevent mildew and mold from growing.

A layer of insulation resulting from this process is rated as class 1 hour fire-resistant. Other insulation types contain formaldehyde, and spray foam insulation contains no formaldehyde and is not a food source or a nesting material for rodents.

Contact Royal Spray Foam

We provide exceptional service and quality applications at Royal Spray Foam. Spray foam can also provide sound control and fire protection to buildings in addition to the energy savings inherent in the materials we apply.

The spray foam also works well with a wide variety of building materials. Spray foam can prevent condensation in metal buildings and on metal roofs, as well as manage the climate inside the building.

I just touched on a few of spray foam insulation’s many benefits – pros, if you will. Regardless of what the cons are, the pros outweigh and outnumber them.

Spray on foam insulation is applied by the experts at Spray-On Foam & Coatings to protect your property, equipment, and belongings. Just as we were when we opened our doors, our business has been family-owned and operated since 1995.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. It would be a pleasure to speak with you, and we’re here to help! 647-560-8099

How to Find The Best Spray Foam Contractor in Canada

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If you need the service of a contractor for insulating your home or business with spray foam insulation, it is important to know what questions to ask and what to look for in a contractor. The following article provides some guidance.

The first step in finding a contractor is to get referrals from friends and associates that have had spray foam insulation installed in their homes or businesses, if at all possible.

It is advisable to get more than one referral so you can ask each contractor questions about their experience, what materials they use; how they do the job, whether there were any problems and how effectively did they solve them, etc.

Look For An Accredited Organization

Be sure to talk with prospective contractors before deciding on whom to hire. Make sure they are certified by an accredited organization such as the American Foam Contractors Association, Associated Polyurethane Foam Con-tractors (APFC), North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), or the National Roofing Contractors Association, just to name a few. If they are not members of an organization like this, ask them why.

The next step is to check with your state licensing board and/or your local building department for any complaints filed against them by their customers or for any work performance issues filed against them by their subcontractors (sub-trade contractors). If there are no complaints you should be OK if they can give you satisfactory answers for all questions you may have about their experience in doing spray foam insulation jobs similar to yours.

If your state does not require that spray foam installers be licensed then it is still advisable to find out what experience they have had, what materials they use, how they do the job, whether there were any problems and how effectively did they solve them, etcetera. You can find out about their experience by asking questions of your own or by requesting names of some of their customers for you to contact.

Licensed Subcontractors

The next step is to make sure that all subcontractors are certified in the trade needed for the spray foam insulation installation project you are considering. For example, if you are hiring a spray foam contractor for an installation project requiring two plumbers then both plumbers need to be licensed plumbers.

This will ensure that they know what codes have been adopted in your city/county/state that applies to this type of work before any work begins on your project.

Recent Customers

If the contractor you select has a website ask them for references and contact information for at least three of their recent customers to find out if they were satisfied with the work performed, how long it took to complete the job, what materials were used and whether there were any problems and how effectively did they solve them (if problems arose). It is also advisable to ask if they would use the same company again and why or why not.

Proof of Insurance

One key question that should be asked of each contractor that you speak with is whether or not they will provide proof of insurance before starting any work on your project. The only sure way you will know if your contractor can be held responsible in case damages occur during construction by asking them for proof of liability insurance.

If the contractor states that they are not required to carry liability insurance then you should be very concerned about hiring them for your project. A lack of liability insurance is a red flag that may indicate they are not licensed or insured and may therefore be operating without any bond or trust fund backing up their workmanship. You do not want to hire someone who has no financial safeguards in case damages occur during construction.

Bonded For Both Labor And Materials

The next step is to make sure all subcontractors are fully bonded for both labor and materials, just like the spray foam insulation company you have chosen for your project. The only way you will know if this is done before they start working on your job site is by requesting proof of both labor material bonds before signing any agreements with your contractor.

If they are not bonded for both labor and materials then you may be held financially responsible, along with your contractor if damages occur during construction due to faulty workmanship or defective materials used by their subcontractors.

Specifications and Plans

Before the spray foam insulation company begins working on your project you should go over all specifications and plans with them so that they understand exactly what is expected to be done and fully agree with everything in writing before any work begins. This way there will be no misunderstandings as far as what needs to be done and how much it will cost when the job is completed.

Read All Contracts Carefully

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from fraud or shoddy workmanship is to read all contracts carefully before signing anything because once signed, a contract is a legal document you are obligated to abide by.

By asking the right questions and carefully examining all contracts before signing anything will help you avoid being scammed or receiving poor quality, overpriced workmanship.

Other Considerations

Just because someone is licensed, insured and bonded to do work for you does not automatically mean that they are the right person or company to do the job.

They may be good at what they do but if you don’t like their personality; believe they are overcharging you; or simply feel uncomfortable dealing with them then it would be better to hire someone else even though other spray foam insulation contractors may charge more because you like how they run their business.

Hiring a contractor you can trust will save time, money and aggravation in the end by providing peace of mind. It takes some effort up-front but it’s well worth having your project completed properly without any unpleasant surprises along the way.

As you can see, there are many questions that should be asked before deciding to hire a contractor for your project. The only way to protect you is by doing the research and asking all of these questions up-front so you don’t get stuck with bad workmanship or overpriced services later on down the road.

By following these simple, easy to follow tips you can avoid being ripped off or scammed by an unscrupulous spray foam insulation company.

Royal Spray Foam Can Help you

Royal Spray Foam is your one stop shop for all your spray foam insulation needs. We are an experienced, professional company that can handle any type of installation or project, large or small. 

We offer a wide selection of quality products and proven system to provide you with the most efficient insulation available in the industry today.

Our equipment is among the best on the market and our staff has been fully trained to ensure that every aspect of your job will be done correctly from start to finish!    

Call Royal Spray Foam today for a free estimate at 647-560-8099.

Top 7 Benefits Of Spray Foam Insulation

The benefits of spray foam insulation surpass those of other methods of insulate your house. Spray foam has come a long way since it was first introduced in the 1980s, when it was introduced as an insulation option. The following are 7 main advantages of spray foam insulation that you should consider before installing it in your home or office.

Moisture Is Determined By It

Your home is at risk of bacteria and rot when water seeps through openings around pipes and vents. In other words, you risk having costly damage to your home. Spray foam retains its properties even after getting wet; unlike conventional insulation, which must be replaced after becoming wet. Furthermore, spray foam easily penetrates even tiniest cracks and crevices, so water gets less chance to enter your home.

Advanced Comfort

It can prevent temperature fluctuations inside a building, a big perk if you’re not partial to drafts. By keeping the temperature constant in the home or office, a consistent climate is achieved. In other words, spray foam insulation provides an air-tight seal, so it keeps your home warm, dry, and comfortable while it shields it from the elements. Spray foam adheres to every surface, unlike other insulation options that do not.

Improves The Quality Of Inside Air

A major advantage of spray foam is it can minimize dust, mold, mildew, pollen, and other indoor allergens. Whether you believe it or not, these allergens don’t enter your home or office through open doors and windows — instead, they enter through your walls. Besides pest waste, spray foam does not attract insects or rodents because it is not an ideal food source or nest. Consider spray foam insulation if you want to reduce allergy symptoms, asthma symptoms, and chemical sensitivities. There is no formaldehyde released, so it is a non-toxic decision that makes people feel good. It releases no harmful contaminants, like formaldehyde, into the air in your home or office.

The Installation Is Easy

There’s no reason why installing insulation should be complicated, and spray foam is popular (in large part) because it’s easy to apply. Even if you need insulation in a hard-to-reach area, such as a crawl space, spray foam is easy to install any time of year. Using a spray foam gun, a team of professionals will apply the material to your planned area in a non-intrusive manner. It will be ready to use within a day, since the insulation dries quickly.

They Last Longer

In contrast, spray foam, which is composed of powerful chemical products, will perform as expected for many years to come. There are only two materials in it: polyurethane and isocyanate. Spray foam will never lose its shape because these two materials expand and harden when they react.

Despite extreme temperatures, spray foam doesn’t sag or move over time once it cures. Heat resistance is one of the benefits of spray foam, which has a high R-value. You will be able to relax knowing you will not need to upgrade or replace spray foam for several years at a time when you choose spray foam installation.

Provides Buildings With Additional Strength

As a spray-applied plastic with strong adhesive properties, spray foam is incredibly dense. Building materials are glued together, so spray foam provides more structural strength to a home or commercial property. By adding a layer of insulation, you are protecting your home from humidity and wind, and in one step, you are creating a stronger structure. You might want to consider spray foam as an insulation option if you want durable insulation.

The Sound Is Reduced

Spray foam insulation allows you to block out road traffic noise and neighboring rooms’ sounds. Sound from outside won’t travel inside due to spray foam filling cracks and crevices. Insulation absorbs sound waves and soundproofs your walls, so you’ll have a quieter home or office once installed. Spray foam will provide you with privacy from the outside.

If you are looking to upgrade your home with insulation, spray foam should be at the top of your list. Royal Insulation is a professional company that can help. Not only do we install spray foam but also provide other premium services such as drywall repair, painting among others and more.

If there was ever a time for homeowners to consider giving their homes an energy-efficient makeover, now would definitely be it! With rising oil prices expected to continue over the long term this isn’t just good news for us; it’s great news for everyone in Canada who has been suffering from cold winters caused by high heating bills since last fall.

For a full list of premium services that Drywallaid provides, kindly visit the portofolio page, fill out the form here, or simply call 416-639-2445 to ask any questions you have about an upcoming project or to get a FREE estimate!

Drywall Contractors: What To Look For in Drywall Companies (Toronto)

There are certain considerations to make whether you are searching for drywall contractors in Toronto, Mississauga, or Vancouver. Every situation has its own set of rules, so being aware of them before drywall installation begins is a good idea.

To achieve favorable results, it is important to hire the right drywall installation company. A drywall contractor should offer free estimates and a range of product options:

Drywall Contractors Competitive Prices

It is important to hire drywall contractors in Toronto who offer competitive prices, but this is an often-forgotten aspect of the job. Getting an upfront, honest, detailed estimate from a drywall company is always the best choice. They have a strong understanding of your budget and timeline, and are customer-focused. As well as offering monthly payments, they also provide free estimates. When a company charges competitive prices, it functions at a high level of professionalism.

Licenses & Insurances

Always ask about licenses and insurance when interviewing drywall companies in Toronto. Contractors who are not certified, or who are not officially educated, are generally worse. Hiring a professional installer is essential for a successful installation.

Gambling with risky decisions is not likely to be an option for such projects. You have to look at other criteria to determine if the contractors are truly reliable before hiring. Unlicensed contractors still do an excellent job, but you have to check other factors first.

Insurance

You may be surprised to find that some unlicensed contractors do an amazing job. Licenses are easy to overlook, but insurance should always be a part of the deal. It can be very difficult for a homeowner to get out of trouble if a company is not insured. Essentially, this means paying for an injured contractor and for defective products that are delivered. You should always look for adequate insurance when dealing with drywall contractors in Toronto.

Experience Range of Drywall Companies

Nobody disputes that experience is a necessary ingredient for success in anything, from riding a bike to editing in Photoshop. New contractors will never be able to do the job as quickly or as well as more experienced ones. A wealth of experience also indicates that their services are in high demand. Putting out bad word about a person can cause them to be never hired again.

Respect For Details

Paying attention to the details is the key to completing a successful drywall installation. The drywall has been left unfinished in some cases. Ask about the process your contractors follow to avoid this.

It’s a sign of true commitment if they talk about drywall taping, solving one of your concerns, and explaining the process. You should avoid hiring a drywall company that is not interested in your home.

Drywall Contractors’ Communication Skills

When looking at nonverbal and verbal signals, it is easy to determine whether someone is thorough, dedicated, and enthusiastic about their job. Every drywall contractor should practice open communication and be willing to answer questions.

A free quote can help you decide whether someone will be beneficial to you. In addition, you should be able to reach them at any time and they should address your concerns properly.

The Products Variety

A variety of drywall products are available to Toronto’s modern drywall contractors. The new company should be able to access eco-friendly products, moisture-resistant products, and fire-rated products. They should be able to provide you with all kinds of solutions regarding your particular situation when you call them. With a variety of products, the company can tailor its services to your needs.

For a full list of premium services that Drywallaid provides, kindly visit the portofolio page, fill out the form here, or simply call 416-639-2445 to ask any questions you have about an upcoming project or to get a FREE estimate!