Selecting the right materials for a project is critical, yet misconceptions can steer builders away from the ideal choice. This is particularly true when it comes to spray foam, a material with many advantages that can sometimes be overshadowed by outdated assumptions.
First and foremost, says Frédéric Déom, SOPREMA Canada’s Insulation Product Manager, it’s worth remembering that the use of spray foam is highly regulated and beholden to both CCMC (Canadian Construction Materials Centre) and CAN/ULC standards: “There are people in the market who say spray foam is dangerous, or that it is not a reliable product, but the fact it is heavily regulated from manufacturing to installation guarantees a product that is safe and high-performing.”
Safety first
One of the biggest misconceptions about spray foam is that it is less safe than the alternatives. And while any chemical material suggests a degree of risk, there are many controls in place to ensure it is used responsibly.
“The specialists who install spray foam have to go through comprehensive training, pass several tests, and become fully certified before they can start using it in the field,” says Denis Grégoire, Insulation Technical Specialist with Soprema. “Not only that, they cannot apply spray foam on their own until they have installed a certain number of square meters of product throughout their career.”
Fire safety is another concern. While spray foam is a thermoset material, it is manufactured with fire retarding agents. This means it won’t facilitate the spread of fire and can, in fact, slow down the spread.
Lastly, says Déom, it’s worth remembering that spray foam is used in any number of industry applications, and within household items and products. “Pretty much every memory foam mattress are based out of the same basic foam. So if you’re willing to have this Polyurethane foam in your mattress or in your car, in your sofa and your shoes, it’s pretty safe too in your walls.”
Long-term investments
It’s true that spray foam can cost more than the alternatives at the onset of a project. Over the long-term, however, spray foam’s insulating properties can generate long-term energy savings that more than cover the cost.
“It’s like investing in a more energy-efficient heater or air conditioning machine. Of course, it’s going to be more expensive in the beginning, but in time you will see a dramatic decrease in the heating and cooling bills.”
Indeed, spray foam can reach the gaps and spaces that traditional insulation might miss, forming a more complete and air-tight barrier. What’s more, it can be applied in and around challenging locations (e.g., penetration pipes, electric outlets, small spaces, etc.)
“With spray foam, we can go pretty much everywhere,” notes Déom. “That makes it ideal for creating fully insulated environments, whether it’s a commercial office or someone’s home.”
But is it green?
There is a growing demand for eco-friendly materials and green construction (and rightly so). Yet while spray foam’s plastic composition gives it a higher global warming potential (GWP) than other options, an incoming regulation will soon require all spray foam manufacturers to switch their blowing agent to achieve an end product with next to zero GWP rating.
“By 2021, spray foam will have the same GWP impact as cellulose, fiberglass, and other ‘green’ insulation,” explains Déom.
That’s not to say spray foam doesn’t sport eco-friendly qualities in its current state. For one, the material takes up a lot less space during transportation, resulting in fewer truckloads for the same job. Spray foam drums are also completely recyclable and reusable, as opposed to fiberglass and mineral wool bags which add to the waste. And again, once applied, spray foam can generate significant energy savings over the long haul.
A high-performance option
Safety, budget, and performance are vital considerations for every project. Despite lingering misconceptions, spray foam can help stakeholders meet all three objectives. That’s why, when it comes to picking the best insulation for any projects, it’s worth separating product fact from fiction.
For more information, visit the spray foam page on Soprema.ca
