Foam Spray Insulation: Beyond Conventional Insulation
Keeping homes properly insulated against frigid winter temperatures is a must for Toronto homeowners. Conventional insulation like fiberglass batts in walls and blown-in cellulose in attics has been the norm for decades. However, these legacy materials have limitations that innovative foam spray insulation overcomes. As cold weather approaches, foam spray offers superior thermal protection, air sealing, and structural enhancement beyond traditional insulation for your insulated garage door or attic.
Closing the Gaps
Fiberglass batts are intended to fit snugly between wall studs and ceiling joists. However, imperfect installations leave gaps at edges and joints. Likewise, blown-in cellulose can settle over time, creating thinly insulated spaces with your traditionally insulated garage door. This allows heat loss through framing members. Foam insulation applies directly to sheathing and fully adheres to all surfaces. There are no gaps or voids, maximizing energy efficiency.
Battling Convective Looping
Convective currents transport heat through cavities in porous insulation. As fiberglass compresses, its density increases, contributing to convective looping between gaps. This reduces real-world thermal resistance compared to laboratory ratings. Foam insulation is an impermeable rigid plastic, blocking convective heat transfer for predictable insulation performance.
Closed-cell spray foam insulation is a popular choice for many homeowners and builders because it not only provides superior insulation but also adds structural strength to the building. The rigid plastic matrix of the foam reinforces the framing, sheathing, and roof decking, making the entire structure more sturdy and wind-resistant.
This added strength can help prevent heat loss from structural movement and reduce the risk of damage from high winds or severe weather events. Additionally, the bonded application of the foam inhibits moisture intrusion, which can otherwise undermine the structural integrity of the building. In contrast, fiberglass insulation does not offer any structural improvements beyond insulation.
Controlling Moisture & Condensation
Toronto’s humid summers and freeze/thaw cycles in spring and fall make moisture control imperative. Fiberglass insulation readily allows vapor diffusion, introducing moisture into building cavities during summer.
In winter, water vapor from indoor air can accumulate in fiberglass and condense. Foam insulation is a vapor barrier that keeps interstitial spaces dry, prevents ice dams, and protects buildings from moisture damage.
Air leakage accounts for up to 40% of home heat loss. While fiberglass insulation does not address air gaps, foam expands into cracks and seams for integrated air sealing. This significantly improves energy efficiency beyond just an insulation boost. Proper air sealing is crucial in cold northern climates.
Contact Spray City Insulation Today for Your Insulation Needs
For superior thermal and structural performance, foam spray insulation is optimal in regions like Toronto with heating-dominated climates. Maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures in our long winters demands going beyond the capabilities of legacy fiber insulations. Make this the year your home gets ahead of the cold with foam. Call Spray City Insulation today.
