Six Mechanisms of Heat Loss Through a Wall or Ceiling That Are Bad for Your Home and Your Health

• Conduction
• Radiation
• Convection Currents
• Infiltration (Wind Pressure)
• Intrusion (Wind Wash)
• Moisture Accumulation (Humidity, Dew, and Frost)

Did You Know?

• Air infiltration can increase energy costs in buildings 10 to 40%.
• SPF reduces air infiltration allowing insulation to be more effective and reducing the demands on HVAC equipment.
• SPF reduces moisture infiltration by reducing air leakage.
• SPF adds structural strength to walls and ceilings.
• SPF reduces sound transfer into buildings. Most sound from outside the building is carried into the building through cracks and air leaks. SPF by stopping the air infiltration also helps keep sound out.
• SPF minimizes dew point problems and condensation.
• SPF resists heat transfers through air infiltration regardless of flow direction.
• SPF provides reliable R-values under the most extreme conditions, dependable and durable protection against heat loss or gain.
• SPF minimizes thermal bridging, which can cause higher energy usage and cost.
• SPF out-performs conventional insulation materials because they trap still dry air and if that air moves or becomes wet, the thermal resistance can drop by 50%.
• According to ASHRAE, a 3% void area in a wall cavity represents a 15% reduction in wall R-value.

Spray foam insulation could be the best insulation system yet invented.

Look at the following advantages:

• On the inside of the wall panel of a building it has an extremely high R value, it has been shown to dramatically increase the racking strength in steel and timber frame buildings, in some instances has been specified to prevent wind uplift in commercial roofing systems.
• On the outside of the building it can be used as a combined vapor and air barrier system and is recognized as such when applied to the American Air Barrier Association standards. It can also be used below grade for the insulation of basements and foundation.
• It does not emit VOCs or hydrocarbons and has a proven track record over the last 20 years.

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roofing consists of an application of specifically designed foam covered with an elastomeric coating (typically acrylic, silicone or polyurethane) or aggregate covering to protect the foam from ultraviolet rays. Specialized equipment mixes two liquid components at the spray gun that applies the SPF to a prepared substrate. The mixed liquid expands many times its original volume in a matter of seconds, forming a rigid foam plastic that chemically bonds to the surface to which it is sprayed. Spraying the foam in ½” to 1-1/2” lifts allows the applicator to reach the desired thickness to fill in low areas, build up slope, and provide insulation.

SPF has a closed cell structure that makes it water resistant. It must, however, be protected by elastomeric coatings or other coverings (such as aggregate) to prevent ultra-violet-induced surface degradation. Such coverings can also be used for other purposes, including, inhibiting moisture vapor transmission, enhancing the aesthetics of the system, increasing the impact and abrasion resistance of the system, achieving non-flammability and meeting code requirements.

SPF roofing systems have good adhesion to a variety of substrates including metal, wood, concrete and built up roofing (BUR). Since SPF adds little weight to existing roof coverings and can build slope to fill in low areas, these systems are used frequently as a recover roofing system. Caution should be used when specifying any recover roofing system. The existing roof covering and roof deck assembly should be thoroughly evaluated by a structural engineer to verify that it can be a safe substrate for SPF roofing systems.

Hail and wind driven missiles (such as tree limbs, broken roof tile, metal flashing, etc.) can damage the SPF roofing system. However, this type of damage typically does not cause leaks and can be repaired later without compromising the long-term performance of the system.

SPF roofing systems also excel when the following conditions exist:

• Additional insulation is required
• There are severe temperatures
• The roof substrate has numerous penetrations
• The roof deck is an unusual configuration
• The roof is in an area where high winds are likely to occur
• Lightweight materials are required
• Slope must be added to provide positive drainage

Because of the energy saving characteristics and low maintenance costs of SPF roof systems, these roofs are suited to companies or organizations that own their own buildings and must pay their own energy and maintenance costs.