Spray Foam Basics with Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam

There are so many things in life that can be difficult to understand. 

And there is so much we learn that we forget took time to accomplish – like figuring out how to walk or brush our teeth!

But humans are amazing creatures.

We do the best we can with the information we have – and that gets us a long way!

None of us has time to learn everything there is to know, though.

We only have a few years of history to build a life for ourselves and our families.

And it’s such a short time to do all we dream of doing and experience everything we will ever experience!

So, to maximize the time we have on this planet, we learn what we need to know, and we lean on one another for the rest!

We’re only human, after all.

Besides, whatever problems we currently face have likely been dealt with before by someone, somewhere!

Why not learn from one another?

Take a problem like how to best insulate your home, for example.

Building a safe shelter is not a new idea by any means – and insulation itself has been improved over numerous generations.  

Isn’t that great news!? It means we don’t have to start at the beginning because there is a better place to start…

Enter the king of insulations: spray foam!

Now we’re talkin’! 

But here’s where stuff gets difficult. Installing spray foam all on your own can be problematic, especially if you’ve never heard of spray foam before!

Luckily, you don’t need to learn about spray foam alone!  

You don’t need to buy equipment or safety gear or spray foam material on your own, either…

Nah!

Instead of spending weeks learning what to do with spray foam, ask the experts!

What you need is a spray foam contractor who will answer your questions for you and make the process as smooth and painless as possible…

Because you have a gazillion other things to do with your time that aren’t learning how to spray foam in your house, right? We know it!  

The summer sun doesn’t last forever in our great state, now, does it!? 

So. Instead of learning to spray foam, you should be exploring the Alaskan wilderness with your family…and when you’re ready to come home, wouldn’t it be nice to return to a cozy, nicely-insulated home at the end of the day?

Sure would!

And that’s where Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam comes in!

Let Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam Help!

At Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam, we are here to help you.

We care about you and your family, and we want to help you thrive by making your shelter as safe, cozy, and energy-efficient as possible. 

(That energy-efficient part saves you lots of money, by the way, and installing spray foam in your home may even qualify you for a tax credit!)

Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam is here for you – we learned all the details about spray foam, so you don’t have to! 

(Unless you want to, of course!) 

With us in charge of your spray foam job, you don’t need to learn the correct way to spray foam, or which type to spray, or even which equipment to purchase to get the job done!

Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam already has all the equipment needed for your spray foam job – and the knowledge necessary to spray your insulation efficiently, with as little stress as possible.

Think of all that extra time you save just by calling us when you need foam! You don’t need to know the ins and outs of spray foam to benefit from the best insulation for your home, barn, or toy trailer.

We realize, however, that there is a lot of information floating around about this amazing product, and you probably have questions about terms you’ve heard in the search for a spray foam contractor.

Have no fear!

We’re also here to answer your questions. With Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam on the job, you can be informed about spray foam without buying a foam machine or needing a degree in chemistry!

If you’d like to call us to ask questions, we’d love to talk to you!

But if you want to read about spray foam terms, we’ve still got you covered.  

Let’s discuss the basics of spray foam together!

Spray Foam Basics – All You Need to Know!

How Does Spray Foam Work?

Spray foam insulation is the culmination of hundreds of years of scientific experimentation. (Yay, science!)

With R-values that are through the roof, top-notch sealing capabilities, and a fantastic lifespan, spray foam products have truly become the king of insulation.

Alaskans, in particular, can benefit greatly from this amazing feat of science – because we live in a rugged land where weather can be unpredictable – and that’s why we started Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam! 

We want to bring this awesome product to you and make your life in our beautiful state that much better. There’s just nothing quite like living here – and we think you should be able to do that AND save money on your energy bill!

Anyway, here are the basics of how spray foam insulation works: 

The materials that create spray foam are mixed together as they are installed, and a chemical reaction takes place. The resulting foam expands and cures on the receiving surface (also called “substrate”), creating an air-tight seal between the outside world and the inside of the structure being sprayed…

…And that’s really it! 

The materials contained in spray foam insulation are inert after curing – which means they are safe to be around after they cure, and safe for the environment, too.

All you need is a trained contractor (like Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam!) to spray foam where you want it, and the outcome is awesome, energy-saving insulation that reaches into all the cracks and crevices and creates a safer, cozier place for you and your family to live.

Spray foam is versatile, too! It’s an excellent insulator, but the sky is the limit for what it can do!

What’s not to love about that!?

Have more questions about spray foam? No problem! We’re willing to bet they have to do with the two basic types of spray foam – open-and closed-cell foam – so we’ll go over that next. 

What is Open-Cell Spray Foam?

Open-cell spray foam is one of the two basic types of spray foam insulation (the other being closed-cell). Open-cell foam insulates by creating a barrier of air and foam between the outside walls of a structure and the indoor spaces we inhabit.  

The foam structure of open-cell foam is created by interconnected air pockets within the foam itself – a.k.a. “open cells”- where trapped air acts as an insulating mechanism. 

Open-cell foam expands rapidly and easily fills hard-to-reach spaces. This type of foam is soft to the touch and gives when compressed, much like a kitchen sponge or sofa cushions.  

The structure of open-cell foam is relatively light, weighing in at around half of a pound per square foot of cured material (although there are other “weights” available). That’s why open-cell foam is sometimes called “1/2-pound foam.” 

All types of spray foam insulation – including open-cell – create air-tight seals in the structures they are sprayed within, and that air-tight seal stays in place no matter what weather is happening outside! 

With R-Values of ~4 per inch, open-cell foam is best for mild climates, and while it creates excellent air-tight seals, it cannot be used as a vapor barrier. 

For an air-tight AND water-tight seal, you’ll need to turn to closed-cell spray foam.

What is Closed-Cell Spray Foam?

Closed-cell spray foam, like open-cell foam, is sprayed directly onto a receiving surface, creating an air-tight seal between the inhabited spaces of a structure and the outside environment. 

Unlike open-cell, however, closed-cell foam can also act as a vapor barrier in a building! This is made possible by the physical structure of closed-cell foam, which differs from its open-cell cousin.  

In closed-cell foam, the “cells” that form during the expansion and curing process are not connected. Individual cells in closed-cell foam trap air and chemicals (that improve the foam’s performance) within their walls, creating a rigid, dense foam structure. 

The closed-off cell structure of this type of foam keeps air AND moisture from passing through it – which is why closed-cell foam can be used as a vapor barrier!

Closed-cell foam forms a rigid foam that sports R-Values of ~7 per inch and weighs ~2 lbs per square foot when cured. (That’s why you may hear closed-cell foam referred to as 2-lb foam, although other “weights” of closed-cell foam are available.)

This foam expands less than open-cell foam does, although it still expertly fills cracks and crevices. Since closed-cell foam is denser than open-cell, it has higher R-value capabilities using less space. 

The structure of closed-cell foam makes it ideal for areas with harsher climates. It can even be used in the hulls of boats or on a dock to increase flotation! 

Closed-cell foam is the ideal insulation for Alaskans! 

If you’re not sure what type of spray foam you need, give us a call! Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam is always here to help.

Conclusion

At Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam, we are here to help you navigate the overwhelming nature of the insulation industry. 

We want to make things as simple as possible so you can have the best insulation without all the fuss!

We spray foam because we truly believe it gives back to Alaskans – and that you will see a difference right away when you install spray foam in your home. (We sure did!)

We have great confidence in the products that we spray, and we stand by our work. That’s why we always follow up with our customers.  

It’s important to us that you feel supported and informed (if you want to be!) during every step of the foam installation process. We’re always just a phone call away!

Do you have a spray foam job you need completed? Are you looking for someone to just explain all the information you may have found about spray foam? 

Don’t fret! Call Xtreme Alaska Spray Foam.  

We will be honored to work with you – and to help make your future a brighter than ever!