Closed Vs Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation

In other words the cells are deliberatly left open.

Closed vs open cell spray foam insulation.

This is due to the structural properties of open cell spray foam which enables the foam to encapsulate air and expand. In density whereas closed cell ranges from 1 7 to 3 0 lb cu. Closed cell spray foam exterior applications. Can be applied at very low temperatures as low as 5of.

Open cell tends to be roughly 0 5 lb cu. Closed cell foam is more rigid. Architectural firms can specify both the building envelope for a total performance option. Closed cell foam is around 6 6 per inch as compared to 3 8 per inch in open cell.

For example if you needed to run new wiring open cell spray foam is going to be much easier to work with because it is so pliable. In a broad sense closed cell foam is semi impermeable and restricts the flow of air and is less water absorbent while open cell foam is semi permeable and allows air and water to pass through it. Choosing the right type of foam for your manufacturing application. However open cell and closed cell have their different uses.

Closed cell foam acts in a similar way expanding roughly 40x its liquid state. To ascertain foam density one cubic foot cu. Because open cell foam expands at about 100x its liquid state every crack and crevice is filled creating a very airtight environment and that s really what you re after in applying spray foam. Open cell foam insulation is lightweight pliable and easy to work with whereas closed cell foam is rigid and very dense.

In density or even higher for certain applications. This makes the foam a softer more flexable material. The cells are pressed together so air and mositure are unable to get inside the foam. Closed cell foam can also increase the racking strength of attic walls which.

However both foams are air barriers and it is the air barrier that makes foam such an excellent insulation. A spray insulation is referred to open cell or closed cell because of the difference between the small bubbles cells that make up the foam. Open cell foam is full of cells that aren t completely encapsulated. Open cell foam has an r value of about 3 5 to 3 7 per inch while closed cell foam has an r value of about 6 per inch.

When applied on the interior open cell spray insulation provides performance advantages that differ from those of closed cell spray foam used on the exterior. Closed cell foam is made up of cells that are as the name suggests completely closed. Closed cell foam is roughly four times as dense as open cell for insulation applications.