Attic Insulation Closed Cell Foam
Closed cell foam can also increase the racking.
Attic insulation closed cell foam. Open cell foam weighs 1 2 pound per cubic foot and closed cell weighs 2 lbs per cubic foot. Closed cell spray foam r values why spray foam insulation is so effective in meeting code requirements is that it has a higher r value per inch of product used than batts. R tech is available with factory adhered metallic reflective facers white facers or a combination of the two. The american lung association also recommends it for a different reason.
I m not going to dive into the energy code here but these numbers apply to many climate zones the latter being allowed under the ua tradeoffs rule. Our builders encouraged closed cell spray foam as it is the best r factor per inch of insulation. Closed cell foam can be over three times that with a density of 1 75 pounds per cubic foot or more. We live in minneapolis so we really care about that.
R tech rigid foam insulation. Insulating value and strength open cell foam has an r value of about 3 5 to 3 7 per inch while closed cell foam has an r value of about 6 per inch. R tech panels are an engineered rigid insulation consisting of a superior closed cell lightweight and resilient expanded polystyrene eps with advanced polymeric laminate facers. Intumescent coatings are not always needed to coat spray foam in the attic in order to meet code thermal barrier requirements.
Closed cell foam has a higher r value than open cell foam usually about 6 0 per inch. This can result all if your spray polyurethane foam insulation gets botched by someone who simply doesn t understand the science of proper application. Because it requires professional installation closed cell foam insulation is pricey but it offers r 6 thermal value for every inch of thickness. Since closed cell foam has a higher r value per inch installers generally spray 2 in walls and 3 in rooflines to meet the energy code requirements of r 13 and r 19 respectively.
This higher rating makes closed cell foam better at keeping heat in or out of. Closed cell foam can also add to the structural strength of the roof system which can make it a more appealing choice in locations that frequently endure high winds. In the worst cases homeowners have been plagued by horrible smells that could only be addressed by painstaking and expensive removal of the foam they d already paid good money for. It is the best for mold prevention.
A foams r value is its resistance to heat flow or in other words how well they insulate. For example closed cell spray foam depending on brand can offer an r 6 or r 7 per inch.