Along
with blown cellulose, sprayed foam is another top end insulation
material. Suitable for all types of residential construction and remodeling,
sprayed
foam was the selected insulation for the American Lund Association's “Health
Houses” in
six states, including Florida, Washington, Oregon, Iowa, Michigan
and Minnesota. It was selected to be part of the design because it
is an
insulation and air barrier that delivers health benefits for building
occupants and the environment.
Health House® is a national
education program created by the American Lung Association (ALA)
of Minnesota to raise the
standards for better indoor environments.
Woodbury, Minnesota was the demonstration site for ALA's 2002 Health House.
This custom built home was the first in the nation to follow the newly revised
builder guidelines developed by the American Lung Association Health House
program. The goal was to build a healthier, more energy efficient and durable
structure than houses built using traditional construction methods.
With escalating energy prices, it's no wonder why almost
90% of homeowners are demanding energy efficient features. Sprayed Foam
Insulation is one of the most rewarding insulation option because it
offers a constant payback for ongoing energy savings. Once installed,
it continues to work by paying you back on your investment. As a complete
insulation and air barrier, foam minimizes air leakage in the home, which
allows for HVAC equipment rightsizing so you can save on initial equipment
costs and ongoing utility costs. This can result in savings of up to
50% every month in energy costs versus conventional insulation. The Appraisal
Journal conducted studies that demonstrate the increasing value a home
garners by becoming more energy efficient. Including energy efficient
upgrades as part of your home improvements can increase the value of
your home by approximately $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility
bills.
Sprayed
foam insulation and air barrier systems create an airtight seal to reduce
random air leakage through the walls and limit the penetration of outdoor
allergens and pollutants. 100% water-blown, it helps improve the quality
of the indoor air that you breathe. It also reduces the number of indoor
pollutants to help you breathe easier and is an environmentally friendly
soft insulation.
Insulation is a vital component in a moisture management
program. By significantly reducing air leakage, sprayed foam helps
avert airborne moisture from entering the home so that mold growth
is less likely to occur. Combined
with proper mechanical ventilation, foam insulation helps you keep
the indoor relative humidity between 35% and 55% - a level at which
the growth
of mildew, dust mites and other allergens can be minimized. Reducing
excess moisture also helps to extend the life of your house and the
systems within it.
Sleep deprivation, increased stress levels and your
overall quality of life can be linked to unwanted noise in the home.
Sound control measures begin with your choice of insulation. Sprayed
foam's acoustic properties help reduce noise levels that originate
from within your home (like home theaters and children's play areas)
as well as those that originate from your external environment (such
as street traffic or airports). To ensure your home is a haven of peace
and quiet, minimize the transmission of airborne and flanking sound
by using foam to seal small openings such as cracks around doors and
electrical outlets. Foam is also ideal for minimizing noise originating
from plumbing pipes within your walls. Running water can cause the
piping behind walls and above ceilings to vibrate and transfer that
sound into the structure of the house. Foam insulation is a flexible,
open-celled material that can be applied around these pipes to dampen
the vibrations and reduce structure-borne noise.
