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Spray Foam Insulation Chicago
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Creating a safe, comfortable and energy-efficient home calls for some investments. In Chicago, spray foam insulation is one of the most popular and fool-proof home improvement and energy efficiency solutions available.
Many homeowners like you are daunted by the cost of installing spray foam insulation in their Chicago home. However, what you may not know is that it's an investment that yields a return in many ways, including lower electricity bills and other value-adding benefits. We aim to educate home and business owners alike about spray foam insulation – how it benefits you in the long run and how you can save on other home improvement solutions with it being more than just insulation.
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Busting the Myths Surrounding Spray Foam Insulation
An informed customer makes the best decisions. To achieve an effective and long-lasting spray foam insulation solution for your Chicago home, it is best to understand how spray foam works and how it can address your specific requirements.
Good news: you've come to the right place. Allow us here at Lighthouse Insulation provide you with credible and straight facts about spray foam insulation in Chicago you might not know about. Later on, you’ll also have the opportunity to present your requirements for us to help you address it with a custom-fit solution.
There are some misconceptions about spray foam. This is why some home and business owners aren’t welcoming to the idea. Let us debunk the myths surrounding spray foam insulation in Chicago one by one.
Good news: you've come to the right place. Allow us here at Lighthouse Insulation provide you with credible and straight facts about spray foam insulation in Chicago you might not know about. Later on, you’ll also have the opportunity to present your requirements for us to help you address it with a custom-fit solution.
There are some misconceptions about spray foam. This is why some home and business owners aren’t welcoming to the idea. Let us debunk the myths surrounding spray foam insulation in Chicago one by one.
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Myth 1: Spray foam insulation is expensive.When it comes to home improvement solutions, the cost is a relative factor. If it addresses a particular problem, then it's already a good investment. When it comes to insulation, we should be seeking to adopt a long-term solution to justify its price tag.
Spray foam insulation is not among the most affordable options in the market. However, the upfront cost is reasonable by its many advantages over other options, particularly in lowering your energy bills and maintenance costs in general. Savings can even span to your HVAC system. Spray foam insulation helps address not just your insulation concerns. It also features air filtration and moisture barrier capabilities. That gives you more bang for your investment, being an all-in-one solution. In Chicago, spray foam insulation also has a longer lifespan and is generally more durable so you'll save on upkeep and repair costs, too. |
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Myth 2: Spray foam is harmful to the environment.Generally, chemicals emit toxins that can reach the atmosphere and damage it. Lately, we've been hearing about global warming and how it affects our environment and the quality of our lives.
Spray foam insulation has variations that contain lower GWP, or Global Warming Potential. This is used to scale how likely a chemical product accelerates climate change. Improvements in spray foam technology are continuous so we can expect that these environmental concerns will be addressed better in the coming years. Generally, the efficacy of spray foam insulation in sealing the gaps and spaces in your home to prevent energy from escaping can also make up for these emissions. But choosing a lower GWP spray foam product can further your environment-conscious efforts. |
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Myth 3: It performs the same as fiberglass.The caliber of spray foam in terms of its basic function – as insulation, is on par with other insulation materials like fiberglass in some aspects, but not in general. Different factors are contributing to the overall performance of each option. When it comes to long term solutions in Chicago homes, spray foam insulation is still superior.
Spray foam offers better R-values than fiberglass. There are two types of spray foam, the closed-cell, and the open-cell. Each can provide high thermal resistance values, or R-values, to address climates in different regions, even during extreme or harsher weather conditions. |
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Aside from its thermal properties, a fundamental but equally crucial difference between fiberglass and spray foam insulation is its build. Both are undeniably excellent insulators, but being in a form of batts or fibers versus foam makes a huge difference.
Spray foam is initially a fluid material before it expands then hardens solid. Upon application, it can conform to the shape of the space. This is advantageous for hard-to-seal areas like small gaps in outlet boxes, duct fittings, etc. Because of this property, you will also be able to create continuous insulation throughout the building envelope, which is challenging to do with fiberglass batts or glass fibers. |
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Myth 4: Spray foam causes a home to be “too airtight”.In Chicago, spray foam insulation is an excellent insulation material since it can also penetrate hard-to-reach gaps, cracks, nooks, and spaces within your home envelope. For this reason, it can effectively seal the space and disallow air from outside to penetrate, and vice-versa. Some homeowners are now concerned about how the air will then circulate properly if this is the case.
The best approach to this concern is building an effective air ventilation system. With this in place, spray foam insulation can prevent unnecessary heat transfer and air penetration other than what your vents will allow. Now that we’ve set the facts straight about spray foam insulation in Chicago, it is now time to understand how it works in your home. |
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Spray Foam Insulation and Your Building EnvelopeEngineering and design practices provide a lot of attention in these areas as both are gateways to heat transfer and air passage. The usual approach is to incorporate these areas with a ventilation system. However, this solution introduces another set of concerns like moisture buildup, pest infiltration, and potential air escape routes.
In Chicago, spray foam insulation is an excellent choice to address these challenges. As it works its way to preventing heat transfer in the attic and crawl space, it also serves as a barrier to pests that are creeping in through holes within ducts and vents, and within the crevices of the floors. |
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In the same way, spray foam insulation also prevents moisture buildup by keeping humidity out of the home. With spray foam regulating the temperature inside your home, it prevents condensation to take place. At the same time, by keeping outside air from coming inside your home, you also bar the moisture that comes with it.
Moisture management is an important aspect in prolonging the lifespan of your home, as well as your health. By keeping it to optimum levels, you are also maintaining your home’s structural integrity. Aside from that, bear in mind that excessive moisture also introduces molds and mildew, which are harmful to our health. |
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Attic InsulationMost insulation solutions direct you to work around beams and fixtures in the attic. Spray foam insulation is applied to the underside of your roof deck, creating an air-tight seal even around framing and beams.
The biggest advantage of working with spray foam insulation over other options in Chicago is its fluidity. Using a fluid material can help you cover complex structural assemblies within the roof underside. Aside from that, you can work around wiring and cabling installations and still achieve a continuous barrier. Just take note that precaution is advised when working in this area as there are technical matters to consider here. It is best to hire a certified and experienced contractor like us here at Lighthouse Installation. |
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Wall InsulationIn Chicago, you can also work with spray foam insulation in walls or wall cavities. You can use spray foam within the spaces between the electrical outlet cover and the wall. Covering up a hole or crack is also easier when using spray foam on the spot.
Hollow wall cavities may also be filled with spray foam to add a thermal barrier. Since it expands after applying, you can still achieve good coverage without opening the wall completely. Drill a hole, fill the space with spray foam, and the expanded mass will fill the space. Aside from providing thermal efficiency, spray foam also brings in its other benefits to your walls. |
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Hardened foam composes of compact cells that are impenetrable to moisture, air pollutants, pests, and even noise.
Spray foam insulation in Chicago is an important technological breakthrough in the engineering, architectural, and construction industries. However, not everyone achieves the desired results because of the lack of knowledge in handling and applying the product. Spray foam is a chemical product that involves skill and science when being used in large-scale applications. At the same time, applying spray foam insulation in your Chicago home is one expensive investment. For these reasons, you must carefully weigh your decision as to which route you’ll take. |
DIY Versus Spray Foam Insulation Contractors: Weighing the Risks
You may see foam as a commercially-available product contained in pressurized cans. Other than being an insulation material, it is also used as packing material, craft material, and other simpler applications.
The internet also holds vast information about spray foam and how to use it as insulation. You can discover the DIY step by step procedures with details and tips. You might be tempted to go through this route to maximize your savings. However, there are also risks involved that you should carefully weigh in first.
The internet also holds vast information about spray foam and how to use it as insulation. You can discover the DIY step by step procedures with details and tips. You might be tempted to go through this route to maximize your savings. However, there are also risks involved that you should carefully weigh in first.
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Spray foam is a chemical.Spray foam insulation in Chicago involves chemical handling. Generally, working around chemicals include some form of hazards. Particularly in medium to large-scale applications, safety handling constitutes working on protective gear and keeping your family away and safe from inhaling fumes and from being in contact with the chemicals.
In the Chicago area, spray foam insulation contractors are equipped with the proper gear when applying spray foam in your home. It may take a while before the fumes from spray foam go away so residents are advised to stay away from the place overnight until it subsides. |
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Spray foam has technical properties.There are some engineering and construction practices involved in insulation. For this reason, spray foam is best delegated to professionals. With this setup, you are ensured that there'll be proper and complete coverage of crucial areas and building code requirements are met.
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Spray foam is more effective when applied correctly.Aside from technical considerations, the effectiveness of spray foam as insulation lies in its application.
Spray foam insulation contractors have the right training and experience in using spray foam given different scenarios and space requirements. Like us here at Lighthouse Insulation, we survey the place to understand the environment first. Then, we draft a solution that's custom-fit to the given variables. The best thing with working with a professional is that we will provide a long-term solution, that is, in anticipation of future concerns with your best interest in mind. Spray foam insulation is one of the best investments for your Chicago home. However, reaping maximum benefits require careful assessment, planning, and execution, which are achievable when working with the right people. Spare yourself the legwork, guesswork, and hassle by working with a professional. |
Contact Us
Do you want to know how you can specifically achieve these advantages for your home or building space in Chicago? Spray foam insulation is one of the best investments you can make today. We at Lighthouse Insulation can help you make your home comfortable and energy-efficient in the long-run. Contact us today for a free estimate.