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Is High-Density Foam Good For Insulation?

There are countless myths and facts regarding what makes good insulation, but one thing is for certain and it’s that density matters. Under the right circumstances, spray foam can be the most dense type of insulation you can find for your home or commercial property. Learn more about how high-density foam makes for good insulation before reaching out to your local spray foam experts at Foam Bear Orlando!

Higher Density = Better Insulation. It’s That Simple.

With so many insulation options involving lightweight materials, many homeowners would be under the impression that density has nothing to do with regulating temperatures. But if you look at the numbers, these lighter materials tend to have a much lower R-value than denser products. If r-value doesn’t mean anything to you, let us break it down into simpler terms:

When air comes into contact with light insulation, there’s more room for it to pass through with less resistance. The wind that makes it past your insulation affects your indoor temperatures, causing your AC to work more with the possibility of cold or hot patches throughout different rooms. With higher-density insulation, the air that gets into the building is kept to a minimum, allowing you to enjoy controllable temperatures.

Are There Additional Benefits to High-Density Insulation?

Other than keeping your indoor temperatures where you want them, dense insulation comes with a handful of additional perks. Dense materials are often moisture-proof, decreasing the likelihood of mold in your walls or ceiling. Thicker materials are also harder for bugs and pests to chew through, keeping them out of your property. You’ll also notice sound-dampening qualities with fewer sound waves passing through your reinforced walls.

Spray Foam Offers the Highest Density, But What Kind?

When people think of density, they think of hard or stiff materials like wood or foam boards. However, density can be found in the most unlikely places, like a sticky substance called spray foam insulation.

Spray foam can be categorized into two types: closed-cell and open-cell. Both have their advantages, but if we’re talking about density, then closed-cell foam is the one to get. Because of its highly dense structure, closed-cell spray foam has an r-value of 6-7, can repel moisture, and is practically impenetrable to bugs and rodents.

Closed-Cell Spray Foam

Open-Cell Spray Foam

● R-value of up to 7

● Expands one inch

● Incredibly dense

● R-value of up to 3.8

● Expands 3 inches

● Low density

“Can you make spray foam more dense with thicker layers?”

Closed-cell spray foam is already incredibly dense, and that won’t change if you apply thicker layers. It’s actually advised to not spray it on too thick or it won’t cure how it should, leading to a whole mess of problems. Even if you wait for the first layer to fully cure before applying a second layer, you’ll still receive the same level of insulation.

Learn more > How Thick Should Closed-Cell Spray Foam Be?

The Best Areas to Apply Closed-Cell Spray Foam

Now that you’ve identified closed-cell spray foam as the densest type of insulation, the next step is to locate the areas of your property where it’ll be the most effective. As a general rule of thumb, you can’t go wrong insulating any of these spots:

  • Along the attic ceiling
  • Underneath the roof
  • On the exterior walls
  • Inside any gaps or cracks

Another trick to getting the best spray foam experience is to check your home for air leaks beforehand so you can seal off any holes that are accelerating your energy usage.

Equip Your Home With Premium-Grade Spray Foam From Foam Bear Orlando!

Where can you find high-quality closed-cell spray foam near you? Foam Bear Orlando offers premium spray foam insulation from top brands installed by skilled and qualified professionals in your area. Call us today at (727) 580-1090 for a free estimate or learn about our financing options on our website.

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Vacuum Removal Of Old Insulation Is Vital In Florida, Here’s Why

If you’re looking to cut costs, save time, or both, skipping the removal of your old insulation before installing new material isn’t the way to do it. Neglecting this step is especially detrimental to Florida homes oftentimes leading to symptoms that are counterintuitive to the benefits of getting new insulation. This useful guide will show you why it’s essential to remove old insulation in Florida and how Foam Bear Orlando can get the job done right!

Is Old Insulation as Bad as People Make it Sound?

You might think that the warnings are a bit exaggerated, but ask any of our experts and they’ll vouch for the claims you see online. Old insulation must be removed as it can pose a danger to your property or lead to unnecessary costs. This is true even when your insulation is trapped behind a wall or hidden in the attic ceiling.

When you have remnants of old materials floating around, you’re likely to suffer the consequences:

  • Pieces of old insulation can get in the way of proper airflow. Without proper airflow, you may experience symptoms of poor air quality like allergic reactions or illnesses.
  • Old insulation won’t bring you the same r-value as when you first bought it. This means that you’ll be losing out on cash over time by making your HVAC play catch-up during extreme heat (or cold).
  • Because old insulation is typically dirty, the bacteria it holds can cause mold to grow. This usually happens in places where most homeowners don’t look every day, leaving the mold to grow unnoticed.

These are just a few of the most problematic occurrences that can happen when you don’t remove your old insulation. When you consider the additional factors of being a Florida homeowner, there’s much more to worry about that can be solved by removing your outdated materials and swapping them for new insulation.

Looking to save on energy costs? Upgrading to spray foam insulation will definitely help, but you can save even more with energy-saving solutions from Solar Bear!

Installing New Insulation Over Old Materials – Is It Advised?

Plenty of homeowners make the mistake of believing that covering up old insulation with a newer layer is a way to get around the vacuum and removal process. This couldn’t be further from the truth, even with spray foam despite being the best choice for Orlando houses. Unfortunately, there is no “cutting corners” when it comes to insulation. But why not?

When you install new insulation over old insulation, you will still experience the symptoms we mentioned earlier. The previous material will get in the way of the new, causing the entire installation process to be all for naught. If you don’t want your precious cash to get lost in the wind, you need to take the necessary precautions and remove your old insulation first.

The Best Way to Remove Old Insulation

If money is an obstacle, you might be tempted to just rent a vacuum and get rid of the old insulation yourself. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, you could be spending more hours on the task than you anticipated which can easily rack up your rental costs. Even if you have a thought-out plan, being near old insulation can be extremely dangerous. The safest approach is to hire an insulation professional near you to clean up your property for you.

For Insulation Removal and Spray Foam Installation, Foam Bear is the Best Choice Near You!

You can rely on Foam Bear Orlando for insulation vacuum and removal services near you! Our team will wipe the place clean of old insulation before equipping your property with top-quality spray foam. We offer premium spray foam products that can protect your home for an entire lifetime! Call (727) 580-1090 to learn more and to ask for a free estimate.