There are many types of insulations that have been developed with each one having different advantages and disadvantages. Lets discuss the advantages and disadvantages of closed cell, open cell and batt insulation and how they compare to each other. Also this report will include the advantages and disadvantages to SIP’s (structural insulated panels). Overall we will see what insulation is actually the best.
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Closed Cell Foam
Closed cell insulation or Spray Polyurethane Foam insulation has many advantages. When it is applied it expands into all the tiny cracks and voids to make it air tight. It has an R-value of 6 per inch.
It is so good that it can be counted as a vapor barrier and help walls have less air infiltration which prevents mold from growing. It can get to all those places that batt insulation can’t. It needs less space for a good r-value comparable to batt insulation. It provides a good sound barrier and is fireproof.
It also adds to the strength of the structure by reinforcing it as it hardens. It seems that this insulation is superior in every way but it does have its drawbacks. It is much more expensive compared to regular insulation. If you are worried about green house gases and destroying the ozone then it is probably not the best product to go with.
It contains hazardous chemicals that can be harmful especially if it comes in contact with your eye it can cause temporary blindness. The R-value will go down with age but it will still have greater R-values than other insulations.
So how does this compare to open cell insulation?
Open cell insulation does not help by being an air or water barrier. Since it is porous it allows water vapor to penetrate the insulation. Open cell insulation has an R-value of 3.5 per inch which half as good as closed cell. It requires double the space to get to where open cell R-values are at.
It doesn’t add strength to the structure of the building or wall like closed cell insulation can. Another disadvantage to open cell insulation is after applying it you have trim and cut it back so there is waste involved while closed cell has little to no waste.
Open cell also is fireproof and generally cheaper. In many articles it stated that open and closed cell insulation is used depending on the application. For example, since closed cell does not allow water vapor to penetrate and saturate it is generally used on the basement levels.
Also, since it needs less space to be a good insulator it is generally good to use in roof insulating applications. Closed cell on the other hand is better than batt insulation in R-values and only a little more expensive is can be used on main and upper floors.
Exterior walls are usually being 2×6 stud walls provides ample space for open cell insulation to have enough room to get high R-values. One draw back with closed cell insulation is that it makes one’s house so air tight that it requires special ventilation systems to prevent the house from getting humid and stuffy inside.
How does batt insulation compare to both of these types on insulation?
Batt insulation is the most common and highly used insulation by Americans. It is cheaper than spray on insulations and is partly made from recycled materials. When installing closer care has to be placed to make sure that there are no gaps.
Often there are cracks or breaks in the insulation which lowers the insulating factor. On installing, it can cause irritation to the skin since it is made of fiber glass. Paper faced batts can act as a vapor retarder while foil-faced batts are also offered and can provide vapor barriers.
Different types of batts are offered such as, cotton batts, rock and slag wool and plastic fiber batts. Cotton batts have higher R-values and are approved to be LEED products. Unlike fiber-glass batts fibers don’t cause itchiness and have no toxic or hazardous chemicals.
Some drawbacks are it is more difficult to cut and install thus increasing the cost of labor for installing the material. It does not completely stop air movement inside the cavities and can be problematic if it gets saturated with water because it takes longer to dry.
Batt insulation is deffinetly the most common and widely used insulator but it is not because it is better. It is kind of like gas and alliterative energy cars. There are better, more efficient cars out there but everyone just goes with what they are comfortable with and what is generally more excepted even though there are better cars out there.
When coming down to picking an insulation it depends on several factors. The factor being cost, environmental friendliness, and application. Personally I am sold on closed cell insulation. If money is not an issue it is definitely the better way to go. In the long run it will pay of on heating bills. I care about the environment but in the end the energy resources that closed cell insulation can save must go into the calculation.
It does put off green house gases and can be hazardous on application but it will get the job done, strengthen the structure of the building, provide an water barrier and give more R-value than other insulations can offer. Since I am not concerned that one house will make a big difference in the green house gasses that are naturally put out everyday closed cell insulation is the way to go. You could say it is the bomb.
The best insulation practice for the price and effectiveness.
The way to take advantage closed cell foam but save on price is to just put an inch layer down and fill the rest with blown in fiberglass insulation. The reason is that inch layer makes your home air tight. Air leaks are the worst for transferring heat. Using one inch of closed cell foam will seal up your home and the blown in insulation can make up the rest of the needed R-value. This way you save money and get a very energy efficient home.