Highly Trained and Certified Staff to Install High Pressured SPF Insulation

Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation can either be open-cell or closed-cell foam. The open-cell foam has tiny cells that are not completely closed (thus the name "open" cell). This allows air to fill up the open spaces inside the material, making the foam weaker and softer to the touch.

Closed-cell foam, on the other hand, is made up of cells completely closed and packed together. They are filled with a gas that forces the foam to rise and expand which makes it a greater insulator.

Closed-cell foam has a greater R value, is stronger and it has a better resistance to the leakage of air and water vapor. The higher the density the foam, the heavier, or stronger it becomes.

For mid-size jobs in homes, there are low pressure (< 250 pounds per inch) two-component kits for SPF projects. These are used to insulate small areas by SPF foam contractors who use special personal protective equipment.

One of the spray rigs used in Washington Roofing's projects.

Commercial applications and other large renovations use two-component, high pressure systems (800-1600 psi) with 55-gallon drums and a spray rig. This product is applied by contractors who have had special training and use specialized personal protective equipment, including respirators.

Washington Roofing & Insulation uses BASF Closed Cell Spray Foam and the staff is trained and certified for SPF commercial projects. For more information, visit our website or contact us at 800.383.3062

Why Choose Spray Foam?

Our friends at the Spray Foam Coalition provided us with a 2-page document that lists the benefits of choosing spray polyurethane foam (SPF) for your insulation and air sealing barrier needs on walls, roofs and other surfaces. You can download the document from our website or keep reading for the summarized version.

Spray Foam is Energy Efficient
As much as 40% of a building's energy is lost due to air infiltration, gaps, holes and air leaks. Spray foam closes gaps that lets air escape and can reduce utility bills. It also helps your HVAC unit as it maintains an optimal climate in your building, keeping it from working as hard. In fact, a HVAC unit can be downsized by as much as 35% when a building is SPF insulated.

When SPF is applied to the roof of a building, it can provide cool roof performance when topped with a protective, reflective coating. "Cool roofs" are designed to maintain a lower temperature than traditional roofs.

Common air leaks found in most buildings.
Source: 2011 American Chemistry Council, Inc.

Buildings can be sealed with SPF.
Source: 2011 American Chemistry Council, Inc.

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Can Improve Building Strength and Durability
A SPF roofing system is known to have effective lifespans that can exceed 30 years. A professionally applied SPF can create a strong bond to protect the roof and eliminate water seepage through weak spots. It increases a building's resistance to wind uplift, "gluing" the overall building together.

SPF insulation is highly resistant to floodwater damage. It also prevents moisture and condensation throughout the building, helping prevent mold and mildew. When closed-cell is applied in the cavities of walls it increases durability of the wall system because of its ability to conform and adhere to the surface.

Source: Spray Foam Coalition

The WALLTITE® Air Barrier

WALLTITE® is a premium spray-applied polyurethane foam insulating air barrier system manufactured by BASF. WALLTITE® is seamless and self-adhering, eliminating uncontrolled air leakage by providing monolithic coverage with superior insulation R/U-value.

The graphic below shows how the closed-cell, WALLTITE® Air Barrier is positioned to substantially reduce both air leakage and moisture permeance through the building envelope.

Source: BASF

WALLTITE® is approved by the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) and acts as an air barrier as part of the total building envelope. Washington Roofing and Insulation is a Q1 applicator with BASF and an ABAA accredited ABAA.

Source: www.spf.basf.com

Closed-Cell Polyurethane Foam Versus Open-Cell Polyurethane Foam

What is the difference between an open-cell foam versus a closed-cell foam? The open-cell foam has tiny cells that are not completely closed (thus the name "open" cell). This allows air to fill up the open spaces inside the material, making the foam weaker and softer to the touch.

Closed-cell foam, on the other hand, is made up of cells completely closed and packed together. They are filled with a gas that forces the foam to rise and expand which makes it a greater insulator.

Closed-cell foam has a greater R value, is stronger and it has a better resistance to the leakage of air and water vapor. The higher the density the foam, the heavier, or stronger it becomes.

Washington Roofing & Insulation uses BASF Closed Cell Spray Foam that provides an R-value of 6.7 per inch and has a density of 2.0 pounds per cubic foot. For more information, visit our website or contact us at 800.383.3062