What Factors Determine Whether I Need Closed vs Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation?

Making your pick between open-cell and closed-cell spray foam isn’t a matter of preference like whether or not you like pineapple on your pizza. There’s a right answer for each job, making both of them an indispensable part of your home’s insulation. Learn more about when to use closed-cell or open-cell spray foam in this cohesive guide with all of the factors you need to consider for the best results. Or, you can leave the decision to your local spray foam experts at Foam Bear Tampa!

Tampa’s Terribly Humid Climate

Let’s discuss the elephant in the room. When living in Florida, the biggest factor that can affect your home’s insulation is the sheer humidity of the local climate. Anyone living in Tampa has gone through it firsthand, and it can be the worst!

Spray foam can keep the humidity out of your home. But creating a cool, dry space calls for the right application:

Closed-cell spray foam has a higher thermal and moisture resistance, perfect for combating humidity in tropical areas like Florida.
Open-cell spray foam is still great at moisture resistance, although not as much as closed-cell foam.

This doesn’t mean you should rule out open-cell spray foam just yet! Keep reading to learn more about where this type of foam thrives.

The Rooms In Need of Insulation

Closed-cell might be considered the best at what it does, but the type of foam you should use can differ depending on the room being insulated in your Tampa home.

Closed-cell spray foam works best for:

Crawl spaces
Exterior walls
Basements
Water-prone rooms

Open-cell spray foam works best in the attic, where you might have larger gaps (or a multitude of them). That’s because open-cell spray foam expands more, making it a more efficient choice. This is one area where using closed-cell foam may get a little too costly, but open-cell foam can do the job just fine!

Your Available Budget For Home Improvements

Yes, budget is a critical factor in what type of spray foam you should use for your home. In Tampa, you can find the most ideal insulation plan for your budget by seeing a spray foam professional who knows how to utilize the advantages of each type of product.

Open-cell foam is more affordable from being not as dense. Of course, that comes at the cost of your R-value.

Closed-cell foam typically costs more because of its high density. While that’s a nice trait, using this type of foam for the entire home might not be efficient for your wallet.

Local Activity In Your Neighborhood

Does one room tend to be louder than the rest? If you can hear your neighbors right outside of your bedroom, then this is where you might want to consider soundproofing with open-cell foam. If thermal issues are a larger problem than noisy neighbors, then closed-cell foam might be a better choice. It’s all a matter of perspective, and your local spray foam experts in Tampa can help you come up with the best insulation plan for your home.

Let the Pros Decide! Schedule a Consultation With Foam Bear Tampa Today

Now that you’ve gotten the hang of efficient spray foam insulation, it’s time to hire the right people for the job! Call Foam Bear Tampa today at (407) 334-9327 to ask for a free quote, and we’ll have qualified spray foam installers at your door in no time.

Blog