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Spray Foam vs Mineral Wool Insulation For Florida Homes

Every poorly insulated home suffers from unbearable temperatures during the peak seasons, and that can cause people to find any viable solution out of desperation. That’s how countless insulators are discovered, using innovative thinking to find benefits in all sorts of materials, but that doesn’t mean they all work. Replacing insulation is no easy (or affordable) task, and that’s why Foam Bear Tampa is here to help you make sense of your options such as spray foam and mineral wool to use for your Florida home.

Mineral wool isn’t recommended for Florida homes primarily because it’s susceptible to water damage. Spray foam is better for the job with its high moisture resistance, but that’s not the only reason. Learn more about the benefits of spray foam over mineral wool:

Getting to the Bottom of Mineral Wool Insulation – Is It Worth It?

If you’ve never heard of mineral wool insulation, you don’t have to think twice about what’s in it. The compounds that makeup mineral wool are in the name, with the minerals typically being stone and slag. The process involves melting down the materials to the point where they can be manipulated in such a way that can be used as insulation. You would need a furnace to get the rocks to reach their melting point, so don’t attempt to try this in your house oven! But even with expert handling, this type of insulation is often not worth the headache.

Take a look at the main disadvantages of mineral wool insulation for Florida homes:

  • The insulating performance decreases once it becomes even slightly wet.
  • Rodents and bugs like to burrow into the natural materials to nourish themselves or make nests.
  • The heavy materials are harder to install, leading to higher shipping rates and labor costs.
  • Mineral wool only lasts around 20-30 years.

Why Do People Choose Mineral Wool Insulation?

With so many downsides, it’s a wonder why homeowners still choose mineral wool out of the wide range of other choices. On the surface, people believe that “thick” and “heavy” equates to greater performance or soundproofing. Before we delve into our next competitor, it’s worth noting that spray foam is just as effective as a sound barrier, but with greater benefits in general.

Can Spray Foam Insulation Outperform Mineral Wool? Yes, By A Lot

Just like the name implies, spray foam insulation is a foam that you can spray (are you starting to see a naming pattern?). Many homeowners overlook this gem as a “too-good-to-be-true” solution, but the claims are all completely genuine! Spray foam may be lightweight, but it is still the top home insulator even when faced with all of Florida’s unique challenges.

Explore the benefits of spray foam in Florida homes:

  • It maintains optimal thermal performance at all times, even when splashed with water.
  • Bugs and rodents aren’t interested in the non-organic material.
  • The solution is made on the spot and easily applied, lowering the cost of shipping and labor.
  • Spray foam can last as long as 80-100 years.

Another benefit of spray foam is that it can be installed without removing drywall, making it a versatile choice regardless of your home’s situation. Mineral wool, on the other hand, comes in slabs which means that there’s no getting it into your crawl space without undergoing some major construction.

For greater energy efficiency in your Florida home, ask us about our sister company Solar Bear for high-quality solar panels near you!

Foam Bear Tampa Is The Place For Spray Foam Installation Near You!

Call Foam Bear Tampa today at (727) 580-1090 to learn more about the benefits of spray foam insulation and how it can benefit your Florida home! We have flexible financing options to help you get started on energy-saving insulation and a more comfortable living space.

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Every Reason Why Air Sealing Your Home Is Beneficial

If you were to air-seal your home, do you think you would notice a difference? Many people would suspect “no” until they see it for themselves. After that, the feeling is unmistakable, but in the best way possible. Discover the benefits of air sealing your home before reaching out to Foam Bear Orlando for top-tier spray foam insulation that doubles as an effective home sealer!

What Does “Air Sealing” Your Home Do?

The process of air sealing your home involves searching for every gap and crack in the home that is exposed to the outdoors and sealing them off for an air-tight environment. This sometimes starts with an audit to calculate an estimate of how much air you’re losing to these air leaks (AKA excess airflow). We’re not talking about just the attic. Air sealing is done throughout the entire house to achieve the ultimate goal of a completely controlled space.

It is not possible to have “too much” air sealing in the home. The pressure may feel different, but that doesn’t mean it’s unsafe.

Cut Down Your Energy Usage (And Save Money)

By eliminating excess airflow, you can control your home’s environment in a way that cuts down on heating and cooling costs. You’ll experience cozier living, for sure, but you’ll also be saving money on reduced energy usage. Some homeowners have reported saving as much as 15% on average due to spending less energy after air-sealing the house!

Lock Out Moisture – It’s More Important That You Think

Sealing up the home is an effective way to limit the moisture inside since it travels through the air. This does a lot more than prevent mold and mildew, although these are a couple of the biggest threats. Many people don’t realize that moisture can contribute to many more issues in the home like rotting wood leading to compromised structural integrity.

Breathe Cleaner Air, Reducing Tissue Waste

Plenty of the illnesses that we contract are transferred through the air. If you don’t seem to be getting any better after calling in sick and staying home, it could be due to the triggering components floating around your safe space. Air sealing the area can help preserve your lungs, sinuses, and overall health.

Maintain Your Home’s True Value

No one wants to live in a house that gets too cold during the winter, too hot during the summer, and too dusty soon after cleaning. Buyers who are susceptible to intense allergy symptoms may also pass up your home for fear of living in an allergen-infested building. That’s why air sealing is something that could potentially look great on a property listing.

Close The Door On Gross And Filthy Pests

Air sealing can easily keep pests outside where they belong. It doesn’t matter if they’re bugs or rodents, it’ll be nearly impossible for them to penetrate the substance used to seal up the property.

Read more > Can Spray Foam Help Keep Out Pests?

Help Insulation Operate At Its Best

There’s plenty of debate over whether it’s better to insulate or air seal the home, or if the two need to be done simultaneously to get the full effect of your insulation. You can easily bypass this conundrum by using spray foam insulation which has a high R-value as an insulator while being able to expand to seal off gaps. It’s like a two-for-one material with no drawbacks!

Is Air Sealing The House Hard? Not With Professional Help!

It can feel nearly impossible to find and seal all of the gaps in your home, so let Foam Bear Orlando do it for you! Call (727) 580-1090 today so we can air-seal your home with top-notch spray foam insulation. Ask for a free estimate on your next service!