24th Oct 2024

How is Open Cell and Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation Different?

Spray foam insulation is used heavily in residential and commercial sectors due to its usefulness in sealing off even the tiniest cracks and gaps.

 

There are two main types of spray foam insulation, open cell, and closed cell, and each is valuable for its benefits and uses.

Which Type of Spray Foam Insulation is Best?

Spray foam insulation works by being sprayed onto a surface. It expands to create a thick layer, which then becomes a barrier. The two varieties have different structure, flexibility, and density.

Closed cell spray foam is denser and gives greater resistance to air and moisture, while open cell spray foam is more lightweight and flexible.

Closed cell foam is better for heat insulation but can be more expensive and difficult to apply. Open cell foam, on the other hand, is more affordable, easier to install, and provides exceptional sound absorption.

Your preference is the deciding factor in the suitability of each.

Benefits of Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation

• Improves Sound Insulation: Open cell spray foam works well at reducing noise. Its sound-deadening properties help reduce echoes and outside ruckus.

• Heat Retention: Although not as dense as closed cell foam, open cell spray foam still acts as a useful air barrier. It helps to reduce heat loss in roofs, walls, and floors.

• Fills Hard-to-Reach Spaces: Open cell spray foam can expand up to 100 times its original size. So, it can fill small gaps and crevices that other types of insulation might miss.

• Improves Air Quality: Reducing the amount of dust, allergens, and pollutants entering your home or workplace, open cell foam helps contribute to better indoor air quality.

• Prevents Drafts: Open cell foam can expand to fill any gaps. This helps stop cold air from entering and affecting the comfort of your space.

• Lightweight and Flexible: Its low density and flexibility make open cell spray foam easier to work with, especially in areas that are awkward to access. It gives great coverage without adding substantial structural weight.

Benefits of Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation

• Higher Thermal Efficiency: The high R-value of closed cell spray foam means it provides superior heat insulation. It’s more practical at keeping the warmth in during cold months and blocking heat out during warm months.

• Water Resistance: Closed cell foam is known for its ability to repel water. It’s a great choice for areas prone to leaks or flooding. This water-resistant property helps prevent damage to the structure of the building.

• Adds Structural Support: The rigid density of closed cell foam allows it to provide additional support to a building's structure. It’s suitable for applications where both insulation and structural integrity are needed.

• Effective Air Barrier: Closed cell spray foam acts as a barrier against both air leaks and heat transfer. It reduces drafts and maintains indoor temperature more helpfully.

• Dense Application: Closed cell spray foam expands to form a dense, rigid layer of insulation. That typically adds around 25-30mm of thickness per application and creates a more solid structure compared to open cell foam.

Choosing the Right Insulation for Your Project

Picking one between open cell and closed cell spray foam needs you to consider the exact requirements of your project. If soundproofing and flexibility are your priorities, open cell foam may be the better choice. But if you’d like superior thermal insulation or water resistance, closed cell foam might suit your needs better.

The wrong type of foam insulation can be problematic and may cause air leakage. This can undermine the insulation's effectiveness. It could even result in damage, like timber rot, which may be worse and expensive to fix down the line.

Isothane can provide you with the right spray foam insulation options and quality products like Duratherm ® or PIRTHANE® 0, including both open cell and closed cell formulations. These may be suitable for domestic, commercial, and industrial applications. Their experienced team of installers can help you decide which type of insulation is best fitted to your needs.

For more information, visit:

https://isothane.com/