Category Archives: Spray Foam Insulation Houston

More often than not, spray foam insulation is a superior product to traditional fiberglass insulation. It’s energy-efficient, durable, and provides an excellent air and moisture barrier. But which areas of the home does spray foam insulation work best?

In this blog, the Houston spray foam insulation team at 360 Thermal will discuss areas of your home where you should take advantage of spray foam insulation. Consider spray foam insulation for these areas, and request a quote from 360 Thermal today.  

Cathedral Ceilings

Fiberglass insulation is meant for square homes with square walls — but it just can’t fit into spaces with unconventional angles. Take cathedral ceilings for example: with plenty of sharp angles that all meet at a singular point, it would take a fiberglass insulation artist to to get a tight fit that’s leak-proof and sturdy.

With spray foam insulation, you get an airtight and watertight seal. Spray foam enters and expands in awkward corners and crevices, meaning there’s no space between your outer structure and your insulation, This can increase your energy efficiency and prevent water and critters from setting up shop.      

Attics

Your attic can make or break your home’s energy efficiency. Without proper insulation, you could be spending up to 40 percent more on your energy bill each and every month! Spray foam insulation creates an impermeable barrier between your roof and your attic — it not only keeps moisture out, but it can lower your monthly energy bill by 20 percent compared to traditional fiberglass insulation. It fits perfectly into attic hatches, wiring holes, behind knee walls, and around plumbing vents, which means you’ll minimize air leaks in the most hard-to-reach places.

Media Rooms & Home Theaters

Spray foam insulation doesn’t just work as an air sealant and water sealant — it dampens airborne sound transmission as well. The less air you have flowing in from the outside, the quieter your room will be — and that’s the difference that will improve your surround sound audio quality and bring out the details in your media experience. Plus, you’ll be able to turn the volume way up during your favorite action movies while your significant other reads peacefully in another room.

Crawlspaces

Crawlspaces are the last place people consider spray foam insulation. However, it’s the place where spray foam insulation can do the most good. Even the sturdiest foundation cement can let moisture through, which can create widespread moisture buildup that breeds toxic mold. All that moisture can create a nice home for critters, too.

Sealing up your crawl space with spray foam insulation will keep moisture out, which can extend the life of your home and prevent a variety of mold-related ailments. It’s well worth the investment for your home and your health.

Home Additions

If you’re adding a new family room or master bedroom to your home, you’re going to need insulation of some sort. Why not choose spray foam? It might cost slightly more upfront for closed-cell spray foam insulation than traditional fiberglass insulation, but you’ll reap the energy energy savings and have fewer headaches down the road.

With spray foam insulation, your new room with have exceptional temperature control, protection for moisture intrusion, and a higher value overall — it’s an excellent investment for those who want to sell their homes and those who are looking to stay for years to come.

Basements

Your basement is an ideal place for spray foam insulation — especially if you’ve become accustomed to uncomfortably hot or cold temperatures, or if your basement is prone to flooding. If this sounds like your basement, then your basement isn’t as well-insulated as it should be. Poor temperature regulation is a sign that fiberglass insulation isn’t getting the job done. Basement flooding, on the other hand, is a sign that your fiberglass insulation is soaking up moisture, which can be the start of structural damage or mold intrusion.

Closed-cell spray foam insulation acts as an air barrier that can prevent air drafts and reduce your energy costs. Plus, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) classifies closed-cell spray foam insulation as a flood-resistant material. Because of this, closed-cell spray foam insulation is excellent for homes in areas with lots of precipitation or hurricane risk, like the South, Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, and even areas of the Rocky Mountain Region that get a lot of snow.

Choose Houston’s Spray Foam Insulation Experts

360 Thermal is an A+ BBB accredited spray foam insulation company dedicated to helping you save money on your monthly energy bill, avoid moisture and air intrusion, and have a more comfortable home. We offer residential and commercial services in Houston and the surrounding areas. There’s never been a better time to insulate your home or business — get a free quote from 360 Thermal today.

We’ve told you all about spray foam insulation in the 360 Thermal Blog. However, some people would rather see things than read them. You won’t understand exactly how spray foam insulation works until to see it installed, watch it as it’s tested for water resistance and durability, and coached on truths and myths surround spray foam products. So, let us take a break from our normal blogs and take you down the YouTube rabbit hole.

In this blog, our spray foam insulation contractors in Houston have selected some high-quality YouTube videos to help you understand why spray foam insulation would be a great choice for your home or business. Click on some videos below to get started!

Spray Foam Insulation vs. Fiberglass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgng8pGBu1Q

Fiberglass insulation has been the tried-and-true choice for contractors and homeowners for what feels like millennia, but it doesn’t come close to the effectiveness and convenience of spray foam insulation — today’s premier insulation solution. Traditional fiberglass insulation carries an R3 R-Value (a rating of a material’s resistance to thermal heat flow — the higher the R-Value, the better) and closed cell spray foam insulation carries an R6 to R7 rating — even higher in some circumstances.

With its ability to conform to oblong corners and fill tight areas, spray foam insulation is a far superior choice compared to its fiberglass predecessor. In this video from Dr. Energy Saver, you’ll get a first hand look at how spray foam insulation can create higher R-Values and fit in tight spaces while keeping heat and moisture at bay.

Water Testing Spray Foam Insulation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6jiGKOSABo

We’ve covered the differences between open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation in the 360 Thermal blog before, but seeing is truly believing when it comes to the two types of spray foam insulation. Take look at this video from Matt Risinger, which compares how open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation deal with prolonged water exposure. Do they crumble under pressure, or do they stand up to the challenge? Take a quick look to find out.

Webinar: Debunking Myths About Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFDRtCefNKA

As long as the world has facts, it will also have myths. You can best believe that there are plenty of myths surrounding spray foam insulation — where do we even begin? Let’s start with this video from Honeywell, a webinar that covers facts and fiction surrounding the composition, installation, and usage of spray foam products. Before you trust the word of your neighbor or the third page of Google search results, watch this video from industry professionals that sets the record straight.

Moisture Problem in Drywall Ceiling Insulation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB7BV6dHWkM

This video from eHow Home isn’t about spray foam insulation, but if it convinces you of one thing, it’s that spray foam insulation is far superior to traditional fiberglass insulation that’s installed in most residential and commercial buildings. When roofing materials fail, pipes leak, or bathroom tiles split apart, moisture can enter the area between insulation and drywall — and with no airflow and nowhere for the water to go, the area becomes the perfect place for mold growth.

If this happens in your home, you’ll have to replace the insulation and either replace or reinstall the drywall panel in order to avoid a bevy of health problems. It’s a lengthy, yet necessary process according to this video. Just remember: spray foam insulation creates an impermeable barrier between your drywall and the outside world, and its inert composition means mold has no place to develop. Once you have it installed, you’ll never have to worry about moisture intrusion or mold for as long as you own your home.

Choose Houston’s Spray Foam Insulation Professionals

360 Thermal is Houston’s A+ rated BBB spray foam insulation company — we’re happy to talk about the benefits of spray foam insulation and show you how the process works. We serve a variety of areas in Southeast Texas, and we’re experienced in residential and commercial spray foam insulation. Request a quote, and make your property stronger and more efficient today.

Here at the 360 THERMAL Blog, we’ve discussed the long list of benefits of having spray foam insulation in your home or business. It’s easy to understand how spray foam insulation makes your home safer and more efficient — but there are plenty of benefits that help your wallet just as much as your home.

In this blog, our spray foam insulation contractors in Houston share their thoughts on how spray foam insulation can save you money now and in the future. It might seem like an expensive investment to start, but spray foam insulation can pay for itself and then some!

High ROI

It’s not the most glamorous home improvement, and it probably doesn’t come to mind before a new kitchen or a brand new master suite. However, spray foam insulation upgrades offer a high average ROI for home remodeling projects, according to a 2017 report by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Association of Realtors. Insulation upgrades offer an average return of 76 percent — an ROI that only pales in comparison to new roofing (109 percent ROI), hardwood floor refinishing (100 percent), new wood floors (91 percent), new garage doors (87 percent), new fiber cement siding (83 percent), and new vinyl windows (79 percent). It’s a much better bang for your buck than a kitchen renovation (62 percent) or even a bathroom renovation (50 percent).

Ultimately, static ROI doesn’t tell the entire story when it comes to savings from spray foam insulation upgrades. In the right circumstances, spray foam insulation can pay for itself completely and then some.

Increased Energy Efficiency

While a new kitchen or bathroom looks great, spray foam insulation offers major energy savings for your home or business. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), up to 40 percent of all energy is wasted due to poor insulation — which means savings could be massive (and much greater than the cost of spray foam insulation) over three to five years.

There can be major savings for HVAC systems, too. The better your home or business is insulated, the easier time your HVAC will have to work to achieve the perfect temperature — and that can add years back onto the lifespan of your system. It’s almost like spray foam insulation makes you money in the long run.

Boosted Property Values

While a lot homeowners are looking for a beautiful, turn-key home that doesn’t need any fixes, most would rather find a home that has good bones rather than aesthetic value. While new wood floors can really catch the eye of potential homebuyers, it’s phrases like “a brand new roof,” “updated plumbing,” and “spray foam insulation” that really give homeowners peace of mind during their shopping process.  

New spray foam insulation can also be a great selling point because it helps homes rate higher in a variety of energy efficiency tests and rating systems, such as the HERS Index. It’s almost 50 percent more effective at improving energy efficiency than traditional insulation. Even if your floors are a little dated or the backyard is a little small, shoppers will love how your home will save them money and keep them comfortable for years to come.

Decreased Likelihood of Mold Damage

Spray foam insulation acts as a near-impermeable barrier that keeps moisture out — something traditional insulation has struggled with over the years. If your roofing materials fail, your attic’s rolled foam could become saturated with water, which will create a breeding ground for mold. The more moisture and mold you have, the more likely it will be for your home to suffer from structural damage.

A small mold problem can cost you around $2,000 to fix, which is a similar price to that of a spray foam insulation installation, depending on the size of your home. But what about a full-on structural repair because of failed insulation and structural damage? It could cost you $30,000 or more to set things straight.

Spray foam insulation is incredibly effective at keeping moisture out of your home. It creates an impermeable, watertight seal for attics and crawlspaces, and it won’t absorb water in the event of a flood like traditional foam insulation does. Plus, it’s made of an inert polymer that won’t become a source of “food” for mold and bacteria. With spray foam insulation, you’re protecting your home and giving yourself incredible peace of mind.

Choose Houston’s Spray Foam Insulation Experts

360 THERMAL is an A+ BBB accredited spray foam insulation company serving Houston and Southeast Texas. We use highly trained insulation professionals and years of experience in the industry to give your home or business an airtight and watertight seal so you can rest easy and save money on your monthly energy bill. Request a quote, and transform your property today.