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Spray foam insulation is used to insulate the home and keep out unwanted substances such as insects and mold. It can only be left exposed in certain areas of the home.
Spray foam insulation cannot be left exposed if it is in common living areas of the home. It must be covered with a thermal barrier to prevent a fire. Places in the home where spray foam can be exposed include the attic and crawl space.
Read on to learn why spray foam insulation can’t be left exposed.
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What is Spray Foam?
What is Spray Foam?Spray foam is a substance sprayed on the interior framing of homes for insulation purposes. It is a newer type of insulation now being installed on most homes whether they are new or under renovation. Because the substance starts out as a liquid and dries to a solid, it can get into cracks that regular insulation can’t. It’s either enough insulation on its own or then topped with the normal pink fiberglass insulation we all know and love. However, fiberglass is not as effective as spray foam. It is not able to keep the temperature at a constant degree and increases the price of energy bills. (Source)
Spray foam is much more expensive, but also more cost-effective. Not only does it insulate the house much more effectively, but it can also keep out unwanted substances such as insects and mold. It is able to penetrate cracks that fiberglass insulation cannot, sealing all unknown cracks within the home. If applied correctly, spray foam can act as a noise barrier for the home as well. Applying spray foam insulation to your home will be well worth it. (Source)
Spray foam may be exposed
Because spray foam is sprayed onto the wall as a liquid and dries as a solid, many homeowners wonder if it can be left exposed.
Sprayfoam cannot be left exposed due to its ability to catch fire easily. The material is highly flammable and must be protected from high heat in the home.
If a home is up to code, spray foam must be covered in the common living areas of the home, even in the basement. Even though the basement may not be commonly used, it is still seen as a living space.
There are some exceptions to this rule.
The attic and crawl space in the home can usually be left exposed, as it is rare for the occupants of the home to occupy them.
Spray foam should also be covered if it is outside the house. It must be protected from external substances that can deteriorate and spoil the quality of spray foam insulation. If you’re not sure if an area of spray foam needs to be covered, check your building code rules and regulations. (Source)
Thermal barriers
Spray foam insulation must be covered with some form of thermal barrier. The thermal barrier is known as the layer between the spray foam and the interior of the house. The thermal barrier will reduce the risk of fire and protect the living space. Thermal barriers can be either a spray or a material that is placed over spray foam insulation.
The most common type of thermal barrier is plasterboard. To be up to code, drywall must be at least 1/2 inch thick to prevent a fire.
Drywall is a material placed over spray foam. Other types of thermal barriers are plywood and plaster. (Source) The heat barrier must be a 15-minute heat barrier, meaning it can prevent spray foam from catching fire for 15 minutes when exposed to high amounts of heat once. (Source)
Another reason to cover spray foam is that its quality deteriorates when exposed to light and UV rays. Covering the spray foam with a thermal barrier will prevent the spray foam from deteriorating and losing its value. (Source)
How to apply spray foam
Spray foam insulation is usually done by the home building company, but if you choose to do it yourself, be sure to follow the rules. Being exposed to fresh spray foam can be very dangerous. There are special conditions for when it should also be sprayed. There is proper equipment to wear during the spray foam installation process. Wear a lung respirator, eye protection, hand gloves, a body suit, and be sure to wear shoes that you don’t necessarily care if they get ruined by the spray foam.
Never spray spray foam on a wet surface or it will not stick to the wall. The moisture level should be fine as long as the surface has been dry for a few weeks. It is rare for the humidity level to be too high, but it should be at 20% or below.
There are many different types of kits, so make sure you get one that’s the right size for the job. Some application machines require the use of two or more people and are very heavy. If you are applying it yourself, make sure you have a kit that you can handle yourself. Be sure to cover any areas in the room that you don’t want to spray, such as doors or windows. Because this insulation is a spray, it’s hard to control exactly where it goes. You can do this by stapling plastic around the edges.
When it comes to the actual application, spray the edges first and then everything else. Spray it only about 2 inches thick at a time and wait two minutes in between for it to dry. Be sure to spray all edges and crevices, but don’t spray over, under, or behind the pipes. Once you’re done spraying, you can cover it with fiberglass insulation for extra protection for your home (Source) Do not forget about the thermal barrier, as the spray foam cannot be exposed in the common living areas of the home.
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