Spray foam insulation and other blown in insulation types

Blown in insulation, such as cellulose, fiberglass or spray foam insulation, are used in the attic, walls, and floors to lengthen the service life of your roofing system, increase your home or facility’s energy efficiency and provide better ventilation. And, because insulation keeps extreme temperatures out, you save on your utility bills. You can, in fact, save up to 40 percent on heating and cooling bills with the right insulation system, more than justifying blown in insulation costs.

Here’s what you need to know about blown in insulation in St. Louis:

Spray foam insulation

Spray polystyrene foam (SPF) insulation is possibly the most effective type of insulation for your home or facility. Because spray foam insulation expands and hardens during installation, it entirely fills each cavity, effectively creating an airtight barrier for your home or commercial facility. Spray foam insulation is often mixed on site, and must be installed with care. Improper or rushed installations can not only ruin your home or facility, it can lessen the effectiveness of your overall insulation system.

There are two types of spray foam insulation: half-pound foam and two-pound foam. As the names imply, half-pound foam carries a density of 0.5 lb/in2, while two-pound foam is 2 lb/in2.. Two-pound foam, otherwise known as closed-cell foam, is much more expensive, but is also a much better insulator which doesn’t require a vapor retarder. In addition to having a much higher r-value—or thermal resistance rating—than open-cell, or half-pound, foam, closed-cell foam is also better suited for direct application to your roof’s sheathing. Open-cell foam, though less effective, is a much greener option, as it doesn’t contain HFC’s as the blowing agent.

Spray foam insulation is often mixed on site, and must be installed with care. Improper or rushed installations can not only ruin your home or facility, it can lessen the effectiveness of your overall insulation system. Preparation and technique are key—there are many things to consider when it comes to choosing a spray foam insulation material, and a roofing contractor will be able to guide you toward the right St. Louis blown in insulation material for your facility or home.

Other types of blown in insulation

Fiberglass and cellulose are also common types of blown in insulation, and are sometimes cheaper than spray foam insulation. Cellulose is a popular option, as it is often thought of as more environmentally friendly than other options because it comes from recycled newsprint and cardboard which have been sprayed with a fire retardant. Fiberglass is effective at preventing moisture buildup in your insulation system, but installation can sometimes disperse loose fiberglass particles throughout your home or facility. 

An experienced insulation installer will know how to combat settling and other drawbacks of blown in insulation through proper installation technique.

The importance of choosing a skilled installer

You need to choose a St. Louis blown in insulation company that will not only use the right techniques, but also stand behind the finished installation. You want an installer that will guide you through a cost-benefit analysis of various blown in insulation options, arriving at the option that provides the most insulation and best value for your specific home or facility and price range.

That’s why you should schedule a consultation with Wildwood Roofing & Construction. We’re St. Louis’ experts on blown in insulation. We have the care and precision to install insulation for homes, and the bandwidth and diligence to take on large-scale commercial projects. Home- and facility-owners around St. Louis trust us to protect their assets.

Drop us a line to tell us your project goals. We’ll tell you how we can exceed them.