Exposed Exterior Spray Foam Insulation

Performing hot work on or near polyurethane foam may lead to potential exposures to isocyanates and other toxic emissions.

Exposed exterior spray foam insulation.

Closed cell spray insulation a rigid medium density material can be used in exterior applications such as continuous insulation applications as well as interior applications. Exterior insulation benefit vs cost while exterior rigid foam insulation has its benefits it s really expensive to protect regardless of how you do it. It can be sprayed or injected into walls and it expands to fill the wall cavity even the smallest crevices and eventually hardens. This type of insulation can be more expensive than loose fill insulation.

But the spray foam is still exposed to the attic and needs an ignition barrier. As far as i know most types of rigid foam insulation can t be left exposed but need to be covered with a layer of drywall for fire resistance. Spray foam exposed to sunlight will deteriorate in a year or so. Luckily we understand this subject and will explain the thermal barrier and the international residential code irc in a way that you can understand.

Use to seal out air moisture and pests in basements or crawlspaces attic hatches and plumbing hvac or electrical penetrations. If used in some place like an attic exposed spray foam insulation can be left exposed but not in living areas of the home. The ftc investigation consent decree. There is a lot of confusion when it comes to thermal barriers regarding what they are and when they are needed with spray foam application.

Spray foam can be left exposed if it used indoors. Most ceilings are made of 1 2 drywall. This type of foam insulation has a higher r value per inch making it also suitable for small areas that require the highest possible r value to meet building code requirements. Quick and convenient to use and apply tite foam big gaps offers an easy insulating spray foam option.

As long as it is closed cell insulation. Exposed polyurethane foam plastic insulation sold as non burning or self extinguishing parents won a suit against the manufacturer led to a 14 month investigation by the us federal trade commission genesis of chapter 26 foam plastic in the ibc. If you ve got spray foam insulation in an attic for example it s probably already separated from the living space by a thermal barrier. It is recommended for use in both interior and exterior environments and is sandable and paintable.

Eifs with the fiberglass mesh is expensive and not that durable. Building renovations demolition or building disassembly done years later can disturb spray foam insulation.