13th September 2022

What’s the Difference between Traditional and Spray Foam Insulation?

Are you thinking about installing traditional or spray foam insulation in your home?

If so, it is important to understand there are two types of insulation; traditional and spray foam. Traditional insulation has been used for decades to insulate buildings, and at one point in time, was the best method available. However, it is quickly becoming outdated and less effective in comparison to spraying foam.

Traditional Insulation

Made from recycled materials and fibreglass, the installation process can be complicated with traditional insulation, especially around drywall or plaster walls. It’s impossible to get into all the nooks and crannies! This means obtaining coverage is difficult and thermal properties may suffer.

As fibreglass insulation is much thinner than spray foam insulation, up to 50% of air can escape, allowing for more heat to transfer. Traditional insulation is also less durable than spray foam because it’s not as thick or dense and therefore can’t withstand more extreme temperatures.

Spray Foam Insulation

Conversely, spray foam insulation expands to fill all of the space within your loft, forming a complete airtight barrier to prevent heat loss. Spray foam insulation is made of recycled materials, and can be applied to a wide range of surfaces/materials including wood, steel and concrete. It expands up to 100 times in size, leaving no gaps and reaching all those awkward to-fill spaces!

Spray foam has a layer of air between each foam block, improving breathability via the air pockets which provides better moisture resistance. Traditional insulation has very little air in between the blocks, which makes it susceptible to breathing through. It is more durable than traditional insulation, so it can withstand higher temperatures without breaking down or shrinking in size like traditional insulation.

What Makes Our Spray Foam Insulation Even Better?

Reduces energy use and costs more significantly - You could save up to 50% on your heating bills with spray foam insulation. The airtight seal prevents heat from escaping and cold air from entering.

✅ Sustainable and Chemical-Free - One of the main advantages of spray foam is that it is a sustainable solution created from recycled plastics making it not only an energy-efficient option for your home but it is also environmentally friendly. Our insulation is water-blown, made from recyclable materials and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. Once installed in your home, your energy usage and carbon footprint will reduce significantly.

✅ Prevents Moisture - Control indoor humidity levels, reduce condensation and eliminate dampness thanks to the airtight barrier that has proven to be 24 times less permeable than other types of insulation.

Decreases Dust and Prevents Pollutants - Asthma and allergies are often caused by airborne pollutants such as dust, dirt and carbon monoxide. By choosing spray foam insulation, your property will be sealed from pollutants in the air, improving the air quality in your home.

Lifetime guarantee - Enjoy peace of mind with a 25-year guarantee that even as properties move and settle over time, the spray foam insulation is built to last, continually performing efficiently.

Adds physical support - Proven to add physical support to the overall structure of a property, spray foam insulation is particularly beneficial in older properties.

Suitable for use in commercial and agricultural premises - Spray foam can be applied in both domestic and commercial properties. For bigger buildings which can lose heat so quickly, spray foam is much more effective for the size and range of materials used in the build of the property. Proper insulation in agricultural buildings can improve farm profitability and prevent rust and machinery damage over time.

What Does the Better Job?

From comparisons of spray foam vs traditional insulation, spray foam insulation is the better insulation product to use.

Spray foam insulation is the ONLY method that will truly provide a completely airtight seal on cracks, gaps, voids, attics, sloped spaces and open areas. If you consider a sloped attic roof, for example, spray foam insulation will have double the coverage in the sloped, unusual space. You will see a large difference in spray foam insulation both immediately and in the long run, because it’ll save UP TO 50% on energy & heating costs.

Spray foam installation has so many other perks for your property. It minimises noise disturbance and resists mould to improve the lifespan of materials kept in the room/property.

Unsure if Spray Foam Insulation is the right thing for your property? Speak to our experienced team

Please do not hesitate to speak to us via email or telephone. Our professional specialists will help you make the right decision.

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If you have any other questions regarding our insulation or would like a quote, call us on 028 9344 4793 or fill out a form on our website.

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