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New Orleans Spray Foam Insulation Frequently Asked Questions

Are EnviroGreen foam products really "green" ? EnviroGreen is an Apex Industries certified distributor and installer. Apex Industries has earned its reputation by developing some of the "greenest" insulation products on the market using many local renewal materials such as local Louisiana sugar cane. EcoGuard specifically has the highest "green" content of any polyurethane foam product available which supports the local Louisiana agricultural industry. The special proprietary blend of highly renewable resources in EcoGuard also enables EnviroGreen to install it at extremely competitive rates.

How does Spray Foam Insulation improve indoor air quality and comfort? Spray foam insulation provides a sealed thermal envelope. When applied, the insulation conforms and fills each cavity, crack and void. By filling these voids you seal the house against: wind, dust, moisture, pollen, spores, insects, mold and allergens. Insulating your home with spray foam insulation provides a healthier, quieter, draft-free, indoor environment with no harmful emissions that can cause allergic reactions.

How much polyurethane foam should be applied to the roof decking? Closed cell foam is the premium preferred insulation product to be applied to the underside of the roof decking due to its ability to diffuse water vapor and create an air barrier seal against the decking. Unvented Roof Assemblies for All Climates. A minimum of two inches of closed cell should be applied. However, open cell can be applied as well but a minimum of 5 inches is the recommended thickness. Unfortunately many foam dealers quote only three inches or less of open cell foam which is doing the homeowner a huge disservice.

Does polyurethane foam help absorb sound? Open cell polyurethane foam controls sound moderately more than closed cell foams for reducing air-borne sound. Both are good at sealing holes that can let sound through wall or ceiling penetrations. Open cell would be recommended between floors in the band-joist or home theater rooms.

Does polyurethane foam add structural integrity to my home? Closed-cell polyurethane foam is the only insulation material that adds structural integrity throughout the wall system greatly increasing shearing and racking strength. Testing conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center and the Canadian Construction Materials Centre shows spray-applied polyurethane foam insulation between wood and steel-stud wall panels increased rack and shear strength two to three times compared with standard wood frame components with fiberglass insulation when sprayed onto gypsum wallboard and vinyl siding, and increased racking strength when sprayed onto oriented strandboard (OSB). Open cell, on the other hand, does not significantly increase the structural integrity of the wall or roof assemblies it is applied to.

Is spray foam a new way to insulate homes? No. Polyurethane foam was developed in the mid 1960's. Although it may appear to be a relatively new insulation in Louisiana many other places such as Canada, many parts of Europe and the Northern parts of United States have been installing spray foam in homes for decades.

What about mold? For mold to exist and grow moisture, warm temperatures and a food source must be present. Polyurethane foam insulation has no nutritional value and is not considered a food source for mold. The use of polyurethane eliminates air movement within the wall cavity and eliminates condensing surfaces and reduces the potential to accumulate moisture. Other insulations are less successful at controlling air infiltration and at providing adequate insulation to eliminate condensing surfaces, thus increasing the likelihood of having and environment that is susceptible to mold.Closed cell foam is approved by FEMA for use in flood regions. (insert fema thing).

Do Apex polyurethane foams contain formaldehyde? No.

Is Apex polyurethane foam flammable? Apex open cell and closed cell products receive the highest fire ratings in the industry. All Apex products are Class 1 rated. Apex Earthseal .5lb foam specifically has tested to be the best performing foam on the market. Click here to see a description of the test. Special note: Some polyurethane foam products currently on the market have not successfully gone through the appropriate standard testing. The flame spread Index and Smoke Developed Index values obtained by the ASTM E 84 test are used by code officials and regulatory agencies in the acceptance of interior finish materials for various applications. The most widely accepted classification system is described in the National Fire Protection Association publication NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. It is advised to obtain the actual test results from the organization that performed the test.

Will I save money if I insulate with polyurethane foam? Yes. Studies suggest that homes insulated with spray polyurethane foam use up to 50 % less energy than homes insulated with conventional. Some case studies have demonstrated more than a 50% savings depending on their unique scenarios.

Are termites, insects or rodents attracted to Apex foam? No, there is no food value for pests, rodents, mold or mildew.

Will Apex polyurethane foam insulation lose R-value over time? There is a small percentage of loss of R-value immediately after installation. However, the R-values quoted on all Apex technical data reports are "aged" which is the actual long-term performance.

Does foaming the house affect the sizing of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning) system? Depending on how much you foam your house, the type of foam applied and the quality of the install the HVAC equipment can and should be downsized by up to 40%. It is advised to request a Manual J Load Calculation from your licensed HAVC contractor. Also, EnviroGreen will gladly refer you to a list of licensed HAVC contractors who we've found to understand proper sizing of HVAC systems.

Aren't the R-Values of cellulose and fiberglass almost that of open cell polyurethane foam? The R-Value of fiberglass and cellulose is 3.5 per inch. Apex open cell is 3.8 per inch. However, an insulation's R value is a very poor indicator of its performance. "The R-Fairy Tale" written by David South explains the myth best.

Do any of Apex foam insulations cause any electrical wiring overheat problems or any problems to any metal surfaces? Yes, Apex polyurethane foams can be applied directly to electrical wiring. It has been thoroughly tested and is not a concern to electrical authorities nor is it corrosive to any metals. Depending on the type of recessed lights or other fixtures a certain amount of air circulation around them for cooling purposes may be required. In these cases building an insulated box or first covering it with fiberglass insulation before it is sprayed may be recommended.

How long does Spray Foam Insulation last? Spray Foam Insulation will last the life of the house.

Will sealing my house lead to indoor air quality problems such as a build up of moisture? Your house does need to be ventilated within controlled limitations. The envelope of the house should be sealed as tight as possible. Once this is accomplished focused and limited ventilation through the heating and air conditioning system will be necessary. Many systems employ an "air exchanger" which is designed to pre-condition (either warm or cool) the incoming outside air with the outgoing exhaust air.

Does building code approve polyurethane foam? Yes. Building codes provide for the use of spray polyurethane foam in the Foam Plastic section. This section of the code also describes the use of thermal barriers.

Will spray polyurethane foam deteriorate over time? No, for interior purposes. However, the external use of open cell foam is highly discouraged such as under the sub-floor of a home or moist crawl spaces. Only closed cell foam is recommended in cases such as these.

141 Robert E. Lee Blvd., #227 New Orleans, LA 70124 Phone: 504-344-6762 Fax: 888-893-7259