Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation

Open-cell foam is a relatively vapor-permeable compared to closed cell spray foam.  It weighs ½ pound per cubic foot, with an R-value of 3.5 or 3.6 per inch. Open cell foam is designed for indoor use only, and it’s semi-permeable form traps air inside the foam, and in turn insulates the air seal.  Open-cell foams use carbon dioxide or water as the blowing agent.

When the open cell foam is sprayed, it expands about 120 times it’s liquid volume, and cures in place in mere seconds.

Benefits of Open Cell Spray Foam

Although open and closed cell spray foam are both great ways to insulate, there are some reasons that people choose open cell foam instead of closed:

  • More Economical: Open cell spray foam is typically much more affordable than closed cell.
  • Better Expansion in Cracks:  Open cell expands more readily than the heavier closed cell spray foam, and is better able to completely fill an area.
  • Water as a blowing agent: Instead of using a chemical, open cell spray foam uses water as a blowing agent to spray the foam. There are no chemicals  like CFC, fibers, VOC’s formaldehyde, or asbestos.
  • Best Cost per R-value: The R-value for most open cell foams are around 3.5 to 4.5 per inch.
  • Versatility: Because it is less expansive and does not release toxic gases, open cell spray foam is used as a versatile insulator.
  • Energy Efficiency: Open cell spray foam will keep your heating and cooling costs down by creating a tight air seal.

Applications for Open Cell Spray Foam

Open cell spray foam can be used to insulate various areas of a building or home, including the:

  • attic
    • spray foam in especially useful here, because it be applied to the floor, or the underside of the roof
  • ceiling
    • Open cell spray foam is lightweight, which is perfect for a ceiling
  • walls
    • creates an airtight seal, keeping your conditioned or heated air in, and unwanted air out
  • basement
    • also creates an airtight seal here, but it is important to make sure the basement is water proof, because open cell spray foam is less water-resistant than closed cell.
  • underneath the structure