Compare Insulation Types
USA Premium Foam Insulation is a foam-in-place insulation that outperforms the other retrofit insulation products. USA Premium Foam is a semi-permiable foam that provides superior thermal & acoustical insulation. This environmentally friendly foam emits no CFCs or VOCs. Unlike blow in insulation products, USA Insulation Premium Foam is injected as a liquid and is able to fill every void, thereby creating a highly effective thermal envelope preventing air infiltration. Blown in insulation can settle over time and does not seal bypasses or conform around outlets like foam. USA Insulation is a healthier, cleaner, safer, quieter type of insulation with a higher R-Value. Compare other insulation types to discover the many advantages of USA Premium Foam Insulation.
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) - Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) - Expanding foam is sprayed on concrete slabs or on wall cavities of unfinished walls or through holes drilled into finished walls. The foam expands to fill bypasses and resists air infiltration. SPF can be used in small quantities to fill tight spaces while increasing structural stability and providing sound insulation. Due to expansion, installation of SPF is not recommended in closed cavities like stud walls with drywall, lath-and-plaster or sheetrock. Many spray foam products need to be protected from sunlight and solvents and most can release toxic fumes when burning. R Value of many spray foams will ultimately diminish and foam can shrink while curing if not applied at the correct temperature.
Rigid Panels - All rigid panels are strong and lightweight and provide thermal and sound insulation. The panels are water resistant and will not rot. It will protect the foundation and add to the structural strength of walls. Rigid panels have a high R Value and works well in cramped or tight spaces. However, all panels are flammable and release toxic fumes when burning. They are also vulnerable to damage from UV light and solvents, and can be used as termite nests.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) - Also referred to as stressed-skin walls. They consist of plywood, strandboard or drywall that is glued around a core of expanded polyurethane, polyisocyanurate , polystyrene, compressed wheat straw or epoxy, and can be used for ceilings, floors, walls and roofs. These panels vary in thickness and are glued together and secured with lumber. SIPs provide sound insulation and strength in a home and resist moisture, but are more expensive than other insulation types.
Fiberglass Batts & Blankets - Typically made with 20 to 30 percent recycled industrial waste and similar post consumer content. This material is not flammable, with the possible exception of its facing. Fiberglass blankets are provided in continuous rolls while batts are precut. Blankets can cover joists and studs, as well as the space between them but can be difficult to hang under floors between joists. Gaps between batts can defeat the purpose of the insulation because they invite air infiltration or condensation.
Cotton Batts - Sometimes known as Blue Jean Batts. Cotton batts have a higher R Value than the average fiberglass batts and are made with recycled content, no toxic substances. There is no risk of airborne fibers causing cancer. Cotton batts are often difficult to cut to fit the cavity. Unlike cellulose or expanding foam, batts will not totally seal the cavity against air transfer.
Loose Fill / Blown In Insulation (Including Cellulose) - Materials can be blown in to attics, finished walls and tough to reach areas. The loose fill material can also be sprayed in with a water-based adhesive. It is environmentally friendly, consisting of 80 percent recycled newspapers, and is less of a health hazard to the installer than fiberglass. Loose fill insulation does not seal bypasses as effectively as foam. If materials are heavy, there is a risk of sagging ceilings. Some of its effectiveness can diminish over time due to material settling.
Aerogels - High performing, low density material used for skylights, solariums. Aerogels provide the best form of insulation using a combination of silica and carbon, allowing light to enter while absorbing heat from the sun.
Straw Bales - Compressed straw bales are being used more often in recent years due to a high R Value and low cost. The effectiveness can be greatly reduced by moisture or air pockets.
Radiant Barriers - Effectively prevents the transfer of radiant heat, equally, in both directions. Types of radiant barriers include foil or foil laminates. Foil backed bubble packs are thin and flexible and are often used as vapor barriers for cold pipes, ducts and roof sheathing. Foil faced polystyrene panels are more flexible than rigid panels and operate as a thermal break as well as a vapor barrier. These are used on roofs and should not be used to fill cavities. Other radiant barrier methods can be as simple as light colored roofs and reflective paint, or metal roofs made of aluminum or copper. R Value cannot be determined for radiant barriers.