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Licensed, Bonded & InsuredWe serve Council Bluffs homeowners and business owners safely and ethically
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Spray Foam Insulation Council Bluffs, IAWelcome to Council Bluffs Spray Foam
Insulation. We take pride in offering the residents of Council Bluffs, IA and
the surrounding regions with spray foam insulation services. Whether you need
residential or commercial spray foam
insulation in Council Bluffs, IA, our team of insulation contractors can
provide that for you.
Before you decide to install spray foam in your home or commercial space, it is important to know what spray foam is, how it is installed, why it should be done by a professional, where it can be used and so on. Once you have the answers to the questions that you are looking for, you can make an informed decision about installing spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA.
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What is Spray Foam Insulation?Spray foam or polyurethane was invented by Otto Bayer in 1937. Initially the material was used for packaging and other applications like shoe soles, cushions, and industrial uses. It was only until 1979 that people started using it for thermal insulation.
Spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA is made by mixing two chemical components. These are isocyanates and polyol resin. It is also referred to as the “A” side and “B” side of spray foam insulation. Side A is also known as PMDI and is made up of isocyanates (ISO) or polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. Side B is a resin mixture that includes different components like catalysts, polyols, fire retardants, water, blowing agents, and surfactants. Once the isocyanates and polyol resins are mixed, it forms spray foam insulation and expands up to 30 to 60 times in volume. Spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA, has several benefits when installed correctly by an insulation contractor. |
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What is R-Value?R-value refers to the ability of material to prevent the flow of heat. The better a material is able to resist heat flow, the better the R-value of the material. When it comes to home insulation materials, each material will have a different R-value.
For instance, the R-value of loose cellulose is R-3.8 per inch, whereas the R-value of loose fill fiberglass is R-2.7 per inch. Mineral wool has an R-value between R-3.7 to 4.2 per inch. Spray foam has an R-value that ranges between R-3.4 to R-7 per inch. According to building codes, the R-values will differ for attic insulation, wall insulation, and crawl space insulation and so on. |
Types of Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA is available in two types- open cell and closed cell spray foam. While both are almost the same, there are a few differences between the two. Let’s take a look at the differences.
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Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation
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Closed Cell Spray Foam
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Though there are differences between open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA, both are capable of creating an air seal. It does not mean that one is better than the other. Each one is suited to different projects. Speak to your insulation contractor to find out which one is best for your needs.
Is Spray Foam Worth It?
You might be wondering if installing spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA is worth it or not. Here are some reasons why installing spray foam is one of the best options in Council Bluffs.
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Improves indoor air quality
Spray foam insulation in Council Bluff, IA improves the indoor air quality of your building. All the outside air contaminants containing impurities and allergens will be prevented from entering your home. |
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Helps in energy savings
You will notice that when you use spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA, the amount that you spend on your yearly energy bills will go down. This is because you will not have to run your HVAC systems as much and the conditioned air from inside your home will not escape. |
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Limits the entry of moisture
When you use spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA, you can be sure that extra moisture will be limited indoors. This reduces the chances of mold and mildew forming. Cellulose and fiberglass allow moisture and air to pass through it. |
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High R-value
Depending on whether you are using open cell spray foam or closed cell spray foam insulation, the R-value can range between R-3.5 to R-7 per inch. Since spray foam insulation forms a complete air seal and has a high R-value, you will not have to use too many layers of the insulation to meet the building code requirements. |
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Eco-friendly and long-lasting
These days foam insulation is long lasting and eco-friendly. You will not have to replace it in a few years like cellulose or fiberglass insulation. Foam insulation will last as long as your building is maintained. |
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How Much Does Spray Foam Insulation Cost?Before you start your spray foam projects, it is important to know the total cost of spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA. Spray foam insulation is calculated per board foot. To determine how much is needed, your insulation contractor will first multiply the space that needs to be insulated by the price of the insulation according to pour inch.
Spray foam can cost anywhere between $1 and $6 per square foot depending on where you are installing it. Other factors include whether you are using open cell or closed cell spray foam. Accessibility to the area, the condition of the building structure, the ability to properly ventilate the area, and general maintenance can affect the cost of spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA. For a brand new construction, the cost to install foam insulation will be between $9000 and $13,000 from top to bottom. Speak to your insulation contractor for a more accurate estimate. |
DIY Spray Foam Insulation
It may be tempting to attempt a DIY spray foam insulation job however it is always advisable to hire an insulation contractor. Only an insulation contractor will know the right tools to use, how to apply it correctly and other details. Here are a few reasons why you should hire a contractor to install spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA.
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They know how to handle the raw material
Since spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA is made at the job site itself, it needs to be installed correctly and with precision. If it is too wet or too sticky it will lead to problems, and if the gun gets clogged the entire material will get spoiled. |
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Specialized equipment
Only professionals have the knowledge and experience and installing spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA and they use personal protective equipment like a disposable body suit and gloves when spraying it. |
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Cleaning and disposal
Sometimes you may need your old insulation to be removed from your home or commercial building. Only after the old insulation is removed can the new insulation be installed. If you hire an insulation contractor they can take care of this for you. After they spray the foam insulation they will also take care of cleaning up. |
Protective Gear Used by Contractors
Installing spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA can be toxic and needs to be installed using safety measures and adequate equipment. Insulation contractors use personal protective equipment PPE to protect the skin from the harmful chemicals, for safety around high pressure gadgets, and to prevent the inhalation of VOCs. Equipment that is used by most insulation contractors are as follows.
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Safety glasses
It is important to protect their eyes from liquid chemicals and spray foam. In addition, the vapor that comes out from spray foam can irritate the eyes. Skin protectors Skin protectors include a full body suit that prevents any contact with the toxic chemicals. These are usually disposable and made of material that offers breathability and protection. APRs APRs are air purifying respirators and can remove contaminants and pollutants from the air by mechanical filtration. The weather gets fresh air through cartridges which are changed every eight hours. Gloves Chemically resistant gloves are very important in protecting an insulation contractor when using spray foam. These are either made of nitrile, butyl rubber or PVC, or neoprene. We take care that the gloves are well-fitting as they should neither be too loose nor too tight. |
Misconceptions of Spray Foam Insulation
When it comes to spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA, here are some common misconceptions that should be addressed. Let’s take a look at what they are.
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Spray foam insulation is injurious to health and the environment
It is a common misconception that spray foam insulation has a higher carbon footprint but it contains less volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than other insulation materials. It also keeps your home healthier because no bacteria and mold can grow on it. Earlier versions of foam insulation may have had negative environmental concerns but these days with newer technology it is safe and efficient. Closed cell is better Another common mistake is that closed cell spray foam is better than open cell. However, it does not mean that one is better than the other. It all depends on where you want to use the foam insulation and whether water will affect it. Open cell foam is great for interior use and small spaces and closed cell spray foam is more airtight and has a higher R-value and moisture resistance. Spray foam will shrink overtime – Only foam insulation that is not properly mixed or applied can have such issues. When it is properly installed by an installation contractor it will not shrink. Thus, you must always hire a professional to install spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA for you. |
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Spray foam will make your home too tight
If you are worried about the air in your home being too tight, there is an easy way to fix this issue. Though the outside air and indoor air exchange will be limited, the solution to the problem is simple. All you need to do is turn on your bathroom fan or kitchen hood for air exchange. Electrical wire cannot be pushed through foam insulation in a wall When you use open cell spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA you can easily push wires through a wall and it causes no hindrance. More insulation is better It is not necessary that the more layers of spray foam you apply, the better insulated your house will be. No matter how much fiberglass or attic insulation you use, air leakage will still take place because cellulose and fiberglass allows air to pass through it. Whereas spray foam will create a complete air seal and this can be achieved with 3 inches for open cell and 2 inches of closed cell spray foam. |
Contact Us
If you need spray foam insulation in Council Bluffs, IA installed in your home or commercial building, contact us today for a free assessment and an estimate. We will be happy to extend our services to you. Our team of contractors is knowledgeable and experienced. We install both open cell and closed cell spray foam in different areas of a building and we also deal with insulation removal.