Faqs
How does Spray Foam Insulation increase the structural integrity of my home and make it more resistant to movement?
Our denser foam products offer additional structural support to both walls and roofs of any property. For roofs, our foam seals the soffit openings where winds penetrate, and walls become thicker and stronger with foam installed.
How does Spray Foam Insulation control indoor air quality and comfort?
Spray Foam Insulation provides a sealed thermal envelope. When applied, the insulation conforms and fills each cavity and void. It contributes to the overall comfort and health of the occupants of a home because there are no loose fibers to move about. By reducing air infiltration, the insulation also reduces dust and harmful household mold and mildew. Spray Foam Insulation provides a healthier, draft-free environment with no harmful emissions that can cause allergic reactions.
How does Spray Foam Insulation control moisture movement and condensation?
The most damaging moisture within a building envelope cavity is the result of warm moist inside air being exchanged with the cold dry outside air within the walls. As the moisture in the air condenses, it forms dew within the insulation. Because foam insulation is an air seal, this moisture movement and condensation does not occur. It is ideal for use in climates where buildings are both heated and air conditioned because the situation is reversed in summer with moisture forming on the back of the interior vapor retarder.
How is Spray Foam insulation installed?
The Spray Foam insulation is sprayed into place onto a studded wall by a Spray-Tech Foam professional. As with any open surface, the foam insulation can be sprayed after electrical and plumbing services are in place. It then expands up to 5 times its initial volume in seconds, permanently adhering to the surfaces of the surrounding building materials and sealing all gaps.
Does foam insulation cause any electrical wiring overheat problems or any problems to any metal surfaces?
No, foam insulation has been thoroughly tested and is not a concern to electrical authorities nor is it corrosive to any metals whatsoever.
Can spray foam insulation be applied under my house below my wood floors?
Yes. Applying foam insulation under the wood floors or under subflooring not only creates an air seal and insulates the floor, but it also seals all the cracks and holes where rodents, insects, and spiders enter our homes. The foam will protect your wood floors from soil moisture rising from the ground which can slowly rot your wood. Installing fiberglass batts under your floors can be a huge mistake because they tend to settle, creating an air gap where moisture can penetrate and wreak havoc on your wood, creating a more pleasant environment for termites and rodents.
Does Spray Foam Insulation support bacteria of fungal growth?
No, it does not support bacteria or fungal growth whatsoever.
How long does Spray Foam Insulation last?
Indefinitely. As an inert, long lasting polymer, any residential or commercial structure is a great place for our insulation.
How does spray-foam compare with fiberglass batts and blow-in cellulose?
1. Fiberglass batts will not stop air leakage. Blown-in cellulose will slow down air leakage. Spray-foam will stop air leakage dead. Spray-foam is also mold and moisture resistant unlike fiberglass and cellulose.
2. Fiberglass batts have an R-value of about 3.5 (1-inch thickness) but this is not a true R-value since there is no air seal. Blown-in cellulose has an R-value of about 3 to 4 (1-inch thickness) but also no air seal. Our spray-foam has a true R-value of 6.0 depending on the density foam we use (1-inch thickness).
3. Fiberglass batts can sag over time; blown-in cellulose can settle over time: both situations leave sections uninsulated and you’ll feel warmer or colder because of it. Spray-foam completely adheres to wood and sheathing; the result is a permanent barrier to heat loss and air entry.
4. Spray-foam will add strength and rigidity to your house. Fiberglass batts and blown-in cellulose will not.
Does the insulation contain formaldehyde?
No.
At what stage is the insulation installed?
For new construction or renovations, the insulation is installed after the windows, doors and roof systems are in, the electrical, framing and plumbing inspections are complete, and after any other electrical or mechanical system located behind the drywall is installed. It is the last installation to take place before drywall installation. On existing homes, the spray foam insulation can be installed to the attic, roof line, and sub-flooring to seal in the house.
I have heard in the past that houses should breathe and have attic ventilation. Wouldn't spray-foam insulation seal my house too tight?
Your house DOES need to be ventilated, BUT most home engineers and building scientists (as well as the US Department of Energy) advise that you seal the structure as tight as possible and provide necessary ventilation through your air conditioning and heating system. Many systems employ an "air exchanger" which pre-conditions incoming outside air to control humidity and energy efficiency. This type of design along with spray-foam creates a true Thermal Envelope.
How long has this type of insulation been around?
Spray foam has been around for more than 30 years for commercial and industrial uses. It has gotten very popular for residential use in the last 10 years, especially in hurricane-prone areas.
What is Tripolymer (Injection Foam)?
Tripolymer (injection) foam insulation is a hybrid belonging to one of the oldest groups of synthetically produced thermosetting plastics. Phenolics, as they are referred to, were first synthesized in 1907 in the form of Bakelite. Today, phenolic plastics are well known for their durability, structural integrity, and extraordinary fire resistance. Phenolic plastics are used in electronics, automobiles, machine parts, fire-proof coatings, adhesives, tools, and thousands of other commercial and household items. When made into foam insulation, phenolics are one of the safest and most efficient thermal and acoustical insulation products available.
Is Tripolymer Foam a Urea-Formaldehyde Product?
No. Tripolymer is a unique phenolic-based product, and a patented, proprietary product of C.P. Chemical Company, Inc.
Where can Tripolymer foam be used?
Practically any void that requires insulation can be filled with Tripolymer.
It is ideal for use in:
CMU block cores
Interior & Exterior wood and steel stud wall systems
Pre-cast concrete panels
Pipe chases
Filling property line voids between high-rise buildings
Refrigeration units
...And More!
Tripolymer is the best choice for new and existing residential home insulation
Does Tripolymer foam emit any toxic gasses during installation or when subjected to high temperatures?
No. When tested in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, Tripolymer's by-products of combustion are significantly less toxic than those produced by the burning of white pine... a common wood used extensively in residential home construction.
Is Tripolymer foam fire resistant?
Yes. Most architects and engineers agree that it requires more than one specific type of test to determine the fire characteristics of an insulation product. Tripolymer foam has been subjected to all applicable fire tests in redundancy in order to obtain the most accurate profile possible, and has performed in every case with astounding results.
Can Tripolymer improve the fire ratings of a wall system?
Yes! For over 34 years, C.P. Chemical Company has engaged some of the most reputable independent laboratories in the country to test our Tripolymer product. Because of its unparalleled fire resistance, Tripolymer has been approved by many state and local building and fire departments as the only foam-in-place insulation product to be used to increase fire ratings on existing non-compliant wall systems.
Is Tripolymer corrosive?
No. Unlike urea formaldehyde type foams that rely on strong mineral acids for setting and final curing, Tripolymer is polymerized by using synthetic cross linking compounds, producing a self neutralizing, non-corrosive foam product.
Can Tripolymer be used to insulate and reduce sound transmission in steel or wood stud drywall construction?
Yes. Tripolymer is installed in over 15 million square feet of wood and steel stud drywall annually, providing customers with the safest, highest quality thermal and acoustical foam insulation available.
Can Tripolymer be used to reduce noise through walls and ceilings?
Yes. Tripolymer has an STC rating of 53 in a standard wood frame 2 by 4 wall with a single layer of gypsum board on either side.
Does Tripolymer contain any CFC's?
No. Tripolymer does not contain or use any chlorofluorocarbons in the manufacturing or foaming process.
Does Tripolymer foam expand after it is installed?
No. Unlike polyurethane which expands anywhere from 20 to 100 times its original liquid volume, Tripolymer is totally expanded once it leaves the installation equipment.
How do you know when a CMU or stud wall is full?
Sensitive temperature and pressure gauges are located in strategic locations throughout the Tripolymer foam installation system. As the cavity being filled reaches completion, a small amount of back pressure is produced. Once this pressure reaches a predetermined point, as monitored through the gauges, we stop the process and proceed to the next access hole. As experienced installers, we know the time it takes to fill a specific size and shape cavity.
Will Tripolymer drain out if a hole is knocked in a wall?
No. Unlike pour-in products, Tripolymer solidifies within 30 seconds after it has been installed and becomes an integral part of the wall system.
Can Tripolymer be used to insulate the void between block and brick veneer?
Yes. Tripolymer can be installed in 10 to 15 foot lifts as the application of veneer progresses. The void should be kept as clear as possible from excess mortar and construction debris, and a 1" minimum void is required for the efficient flow of the Tripolymer foam into all joints and corners.
Cellulose:
How much more cellulose insulation should I have installed in my existing structure?
Each area of the country has different recommended R-values for insulation. Call us today to discuss your insulation needs.
When applying cellulose insulation to my attic, do you have to take out the insulation that is already there?
Not necessarily. Adding more insulation has a cumulative impact on the overall R-value. In attics, if the insulation is damaged or improperly installed, in the case of fiberglass batt products, it might make sense to replace it completely with blown-in cellulose insulation.
You can also add cellulose insulation on top of the existing insulation, improving the overall quality and R-value.
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