Open cell and Close cell both are the types of spray foam insulation, they have different – different advantage and disadvantage, and this is not necessary one is better that others. So you want to compare open cell vs closed cell spray foam insulation? Well, you’re in the right place. You will learn the differences and which type of insulation is the most suitable for your project.
Open Cell
Open cell spray foam insulation, is a soft breathable insulation normally used when timber is involved and allows timbers to breathe. It would be the best type of spray foam insulation for you if suited. This is very ideal for lofts, underfloor, walls, crawlspaces, and commercial use. On the other hand it can also be used on non breathable surfaces such as metal. The close cell spray foam insulation expands around 100 x its original volume once applied, which allows it to fill hard to reach places, that traditional spray foam insulation cannot get to.
Closed Cell
“Close cell spray foam insulation is made by of cell, close cell foam is completely close, that is the reason air and moisture is not passed inside the foam”. Closed cell spray insulation is ideal for continuous insulation solutions. A perk which is good to know for you is, closed cell foam rejects bulk water, it helps prevent draughts in your property and can be applied in narrow spaces to reach high u-values. Last but not least for you, closed cell insulation also cuts down on humidity, but it does not allow moisture to be breathed through it. That can make it more beneficial for industrial properties.
Comparing Open Cell vs Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation
What Open Cell & Closed Cell foam specify in
Open Cell is for anything with a timber frame as open cell is a breathable insulation product so it then means it allows the timber to breathe as well and not rot. This insulation product would be perfect for you, if you want to insulate your home.
Closed Cell would be more beneficial for an Exterior application. Closed Cell spray foam insulation is used on a metal surface and is mainly used for industrial purposes. This is mostly used for metal, ships, containers, marines, shipping containers, industrial, and basements. It can also be used in properties as it adds wall racking strength and structural integrity to the building.
The BIG question – “Does spray foam insulation rot your timbers”
Heres what you need to know Open celled spray foam insulation. It’s a breathable insulation product. Once the open cell spray foam insulation is applied, to any surface it grants any moisture around to have the process to dry out through evaporation. Now get this, this is important as timbers and also masonry surfaces e.g. lofts, need to be capability to breathe to make sure, that no damp or rot interference become available.
Major Advantages of Open Cell & Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation
The benefits of close cell spray foam are numerous. It can be a good option to try out for most homes out there. If you need a more comfortable indoor temperature and a superior air barrier as compared to most of the other types of materials for home insulation, Closed-Cell Foam Insulation can just be the option. You can get a perfect air seal and barrier against outside air, moisture, pests, etc. If you wish to reduce the entry of air and moisture into your interior space from the outside, go for this type of insulation.
For all those places that witness extremes of climate, the Closed-Cell material can be useful. This can last for A long period of time, ensure more comfort for you, improve energy efficiency in your space, make your building strong, give you much better quality indoor air for you to breathe in – thereby improving your health, and reducing the entry of sound as well as of pests. It can last for A long period of time.
- Prevents heat loss.
- Open Cell spray foam is breathable.
- Fire retardant.
- It fills in the gaps – Spray foam insulation expands up to 100x its size so it fills every crack and crevice in the section which is being installed.
- It resists mold when it forms firmly to the area applied on the building, it cancels out air from having the opportunity of traveling in or out of the area. When warm air flows through a warm building and then finds cooler air outside a step called condensation starts to happen. Condensation is moisture that eventually can create mold which can damage the structure of a property.
- It’s a money-saving product.
Source : https://info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/Files/Pub40530.pdf
