Read Our Frequently Asked Questions

R-value measures insulation's resistance to heat flow. It can also be referred to as "thermal resistance." The R-value of different insulating materials must be based on test methods established by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM). Don't forget that R-values are determined by material type, thickness, and installed weight per square foot, not by thickness alone.

To the average person, the higher the R-value number of your insulation, the warmer you should feel in the winter and cooler in the summer. The reality is something different as the R-value listed on insulation is not arrived at under real-world conditions making them extremely misleading to the consumer. For instance, fiberglass is generally assigned an R-value of approximately 3.5. It will only achieve that R-value if tested in an absolute zero wind and a zero moisture environment. Zero wind and zero moisture are not real-world. The average home with all its doors and windows closed has a combination of air leaks equal to the size of an open door, hence the reason why so many people feel that their homes are drafty.

Even if you did a perfect job of installing Fiberglass or Cellulose insulation in your home and were to bring the air infiltration close to zero from one side of the wall to the other, you would still not stop air from moving vertically through fiber-based insulation itself, in ceilings and walls. Water vapor from the atmosphere, showers, cooking, breathing, etc. always moves back and forth through walls and ceilings as well dropping Fiberglass or Celluloses insulation's R-value — as much as 50 percent or more as well.

By some estimates, 50-60% of your heat escapes through light fixtures, vents, and directly through your ceiling into the attic and out your ridge vent or soffits. This is why, when considering insulation, addressing deficiencies in the attic can give you the biggest bang for your insulation dollar.

The only way to stop the moving of air and moisture within a building's structure is with an air and vapor barrier. One inch of spray Polyurethane foam insulation properly installed throughout the building structure can prevent more heat loss than all the fiber insulation that can be crammed into the walls of the structure.

Closed-Cell Foam

Closed-Cell spray Polyurethane foam is highly dense and, when sprayed, expands up to 30 times its original size producing an R-value per inch of 6.3. In Closed-Cell spray foam, cells or bubbles in the foam are compacted together, are not broken, and each is filled with an inert gas selected to make the insulation value of the foam as high as possible. An example of Closed-Cell foam insulation that we benefit from every day would be the insulation found in your refrigerator and freezer.

The advantages of Closed-Cell foam include its strength, higher R-value, and greater resistance to the leakage of air or water vapor, making it ideal for windy, damp and water prone locations, such as coastal areas, below grade, crawlspaces, or for the whole house. For many of our clients, Closed-Cell foam is the product of choice. While more expensive than Open-Cell foam because of its density, at the 1-inch thickness, Closed-Cell foam develops the all-important air barrier and at 2″ moisture barrier. Closed-Cell Spray Foam is the only FEMA approved flood resistant insulation material.

Open-Cell Foam

Open-Cell Spray Polyurethane foam is soft – like a foam cushion in a pillow and is an excellent air and sound insulator. Unlike Closed-Cell foam, Open-Cell foam is less dense, with each Cell in the foam being broken, thus allowing air to fill all of the spaces in the material. Upon spraying, Open-Cell foam expands up to 150 times its original size, thereby filling all nooks and crannies in the wall cavity. When spraying is complete, the excess foam is shaved off the studs, leaving a flat surface over which drywall or other material can be applied. With an R-value of 3.9 per inch, Open-Cell foam gives you an air barrier @ 4.5″ inches of thickness. Uses for Open-Cell include spraying directly to all walls of a house, and as soundproofing for media rooms. Open-Cell foam may also be directly sprayed to roof decks.

Both Open-Cell and Closed-Cell spray Polyurethane foams are effective for reducing noise from outside sources by sealing cracks and gaps that allow sound to travel through the walls, floors, and ceilings into the building. Of the two, Open-Cell foam has the best soundproofing capabilities.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends home insulation R-values based on where you live. These recommendations are detailed for various sections of the home, including walls, ceilings, and basements. Click here to view these R-value recommendations on a U.S. map or view these recommendations from the R-value calculator.

Be sure your new home complies with current building code requirements for insulation. These building codes establish minimum levels of insulation for ceilings, walls, floors, and basements for new residential construction.

No, the application of spray Polyurethane foam insulation to the underside of the roof deck eliminates the need to vent the attic. Venting of attics primarily came about as a way to eliminate condensation buildup on attic insulation resulting from temperature differences between the inside attic walls and the interior of the building. Unfortunately, this venting also allows cold air into the attic in the winter and warm air in during the summer. With Spray Polyurethane foam insulation, a thermal and moisture gradient is provided, allowing the space to become semi conditioned within 5-10 degrees of the interior house temperature, thus preventing the development of dew point conditions in the attic.

Multiple studies have proven that non-ventilated roofs (spray foam applied directly to the underside of roof decks) do not significantly impact roof or roofing materials durability. Many manufacturers to include Certainteed, Elk, and GAF now provide special letters supporting the use of Polyurethane spray foam on the roof deck (otherwise known as a hot roof system).

Spray Polyurethane foam insulation is a two-component, sprayed in place insulation designed to provide superior thermal performance on virtually any substrate (wood, masonry, metal studs and joists). When sprayed on the substrate, the foam expands, allowing it to form a monolithic seal to the inside surface of exterior walls, to the underside of the roof deck, beneath floors, and in basements and crawl spaces. The result is that air can no longer penetrate your house, making it less drafty and more comfortable.

Air leakage can also introduce moisture into the wall cavity, resulting in wet insulation and mold and mildew. With the sealing effects of Spray Polyurethane foam insulation, moisture can be reduced to the point that this will not be a concern.

If you are sealing the entire building envelope, we always recommend some form of fresh air ventilation. Most building design professionals will advise you to seal the building structure as tight as possible and provide the necessary ventilation through an air exchanger attached to your heating and air conditioning system. In the winter, this simple machine brings cold fresh air from the outside and passes it by the warm stale air being expelled. This allows the fresh air to pick up the heat from the stale air, maintaining energy efficiency while providing a continuous supply of fresh air. In the summer, the opposite occurs, giving the same results. In this manner, you can build an extremely energy efficient exterior shell using spray Polyurethane foam insulation while still providing controlled and energy-efficient ventilation.

If you are retrofitting parts of your home, such as the attic, crawlspace, or basement walls, you will probably not need to worry about your house is sealed too tightly as air enters the building envelope every time we open the door as well as through windows and locations within the home that typically is not reachable because of drywall, etc.

Our position in regards to insulating a new home is that you will get only one chance to do the whole house. If you under-insulate, you will regret it. In the unlikely event that you over-insulate, the situation can be remedied with low-cost ventilation systems as previously mentioned.

Yes. Georgia Foam Solutions can spray Polyurethane foam insulation on the underside of your roof deck, under crawl spaces, on basement walls, and into new additions or home renovation projects involving the removal of the existing drywall. Where finished walls cannot be removed, Georgia Foam Solutions has pioneered a new application procedure where under certain circumstances, Open-Cell foam can be injected into the wall cavity.

While typically 3-4 more times expensive than Fiberglass and blown-in Cellulose, spray Polyurethane foam insulation benefits allow it to provide a quick return on investment for the homeowner that continues indefinitely. Fiberglass in blown-in form, batts, and rolls, is not an air barrier and will not stop air leakage. Blown-in cellulose will slow down air leakage but is also not truly an air barrier. Spray Polyurethane foam insulation will stop air leakage when sprayed to recommended thicknesses. Both fiberglass and blown-in cellulose have significantly lower R-values per inch of thickness than does spray Polyurethane foam insulation. Both Fiberglass and Cellulose can sag, settle, and shift over time, leaving sections in the wall cavity and attic un-insulated or under-insulated. Spray Polyurethane foam insulation will completely adhere to the wood substrate and sheathing and is rigid; the result is a permanent barrier to heat loss and air entry that actually strengthens the structure. Fiberglass products and blown-in cellulose will do neither.

Yes! The installed cost of spray Polyurethane foam insulation is somewhat higher than Fiberglass and blown-in Cellulose. However, the higher initial cost is partially offset because of the sustainability of the insulation (it will not degrade over time like fiberglass and cellulose), and you may be able to downsize your heating and air conditioning equipment. Additionally, you will save in your heating and cooling bills. Studies suggest that homes insulated with spray Polyurethane foam use up to 40 % less energy than homes insulated with conventional insulation. Your savings may be greater or less depending on your lifestyle, appliances, house site, number and size of windows, etc.

Yes. Spray Polyurethane foam insulation can be applied directly to electrical wiring. Recessed lights or other fixtures may require a certain amount of air circulation around them for cooling purposes. In these cases, boxes are built of drywall (gypsum wallboard) and placed over the lighting fixtures prior to being sprayed directly with the foam insulation.

Initially, there will be a slight odor present. Usually, within 24-48 hours, the insulation is odorless.

Closed-Cell spray Polyurethane foam insulation does not absorb moisture, which is why we recommend it for below-grade applications, attics, or anywhere in the house. Open-Cell spray Polyurethane foam, while an excellent insulation product, is susceptible to moisture, which is why we do not recommend it for application in certain areas of the building structure.

No.

Yes. Closed-Cell spray Polyurethane foam insulation is a rigid foam with superior adhesion to all substrates. As a result, it provides exceptional performance in improving wall and roof deck racking strength, making a top seller for windy locations or locations prone to tropical weather.

No. Spray Polyurethane foam is NOT toxic. Usually, within 24-48 hours of application and with proper ventilation, there are no hazardous fumes present in the building.

No, Closed-Cell Polyurethane spray foam is not a fire hazard. Closed-Cell Polyurethane spray foam has recently been approved by the International Code Council (AC377), allowing the insulation foam to be installed in attic assemblies and crawl spaces without an ignition barrier. Closed-Cell Polyurethane spray foam is the only foam insulation currently approved on the market to be installed without an ignition barrier.

No. Spray Polyurethane foam insulation is an inert substance and as such, is pest resistant. There is absolutely no food value in the insulation.

Yes. Spray Polyurethane foam insulation adheres to almost any material, especially wood and metal studs and concrete, which are commonly found in residential and commercial construction.

Indefinitely. As an inert, long-lasting polymer, any residential or commercial structure using spray Polyurethane foam insulation will retain its ability to reduce heat and cooling loss for years to come.

No, spray Polyurethane foam insulation is non-corrosive.

No. Spray Polyurethane foam insulation does not contain any Volatile Organic Compounds, nor does it contain any formaldehyde, bleach, or any CFCs (Chloro Fluoro Carbons) or HCFCs (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons).

Spray Polyurethane foam insulation has the approval of all four major building codes in the United States and Canada. Spray Polyurethane foam insulation is not only recognized as a Thermal Insulation, but it also meets the requirements of a Vapor Barrier and an Air Barrier. It is one of the most extensively tested insulation products ever.

A Flash and Batt insulation system involves the spraying of a thin layer of Closed-cell spray Polyurethane foam (the flash) in between the wall studs and then overlaying the foam with fiberglass (the batt) to fill in the rest of the R-value code requirement. The idea behind the system is to use the more expensive spray foam sparingly just to get an air seal and then fill in the balance of the R-value code requirement with less costly fiberglass. When done properly, this system does provide a better insulating result then fiberglass by itself.

The number one problem reported across the spray foam industry with the Flash and Batt method is the buildup of condensation between the inside face of the spray foam insulation and the Fiberglass Batt overlay. If left uncorrected, this can quickly lead to a mold and mildew problem. Upon inspection, what is usually found is that the insulation contractor sold the customer on the idea of doing a 1/4″ to a 1/2″ of Closed-cell spray Polyurethane foam to get an air seal followed by an overlay of masked (backing) fiberglass to meet code. To the customer, this sounds like an effective way to obtain the benefits of spray foam insulation without spray foams higher cost. Unfortunately, what many customers do not realize is that such a thin layer of spray foam does not create an air seal, and as a result, in the wintertime, cold air currents will freely move through it, robbing you of comfort and energy. And when this air comes into contact with the warmer air inside the home, if the dew point is met, you will get condensation. The effects of this are usually compounded by the fact that many insulation contractors also use masked Fiberglass Batts (Batts with a vapor retardant backing), which actually helps to retain the moisture between the spray foam and the drywall.

First, is the company's primary business installing traditional forms of installation, such as Fiberglass and Cellulose? While this in and of itself should not be interpreted as a condemnation of a traditional insulation contractor's ability to install spray foam, it has been the experience of the spray foam industry that the majority of contractors who continue to push this substandard Flash and Batt are traditional insulation contractors.

Second, is the contractor proposing at least a 1" inch average thickness of Closed-cell sprays Polyurethane foam? If they suggest anything less, you should be deeply concerned and send them on their way. A reputable spray foam contractor will not propose anything less than 1" of foam. In fact, many are beginning to offer the application of more than 1" of Closed-cell spray Polyurethane foam or are not doing the Flash and Batt method altogether.

Third, if you have bought into the idea of doing the Flash and Batt method, make sure that the contractor uses a maskless Fiberglass Batt. This will help to reduce the likelihood of moisture retention.

Fourth, have the contractor's personnel been through a foam manufacturer's training program and become knowledgeable about the product's properties, and have they been certified in the use of the equipment and application of the product? At GA Foam Insulation, spray foam is our specialty.

And lastly, something to keep in mind when choosing a spray foam contractor is that spraying foam insulation is a complex undertaking with many factors contributing to the successful application and performance of the product. The quality of the job that you receive in many respects will be dependent upon the knowledge of the individuals prepping and spraying the job.

A Down Spray is an insulation method that utilizes either Closed or Open cell spray Polyurethane foam. Spray Polyurethane foam is directly sprayed down onto the floor of the attic as opposed to the roof deck and is typically overlaid with blown-in Cellulose or Fiberglass so as to meet local R-value requirements. When using this method, the installer will cover all light fixtures, fans, vents, etc. with protective boxes.

The primary benefit of doing a Down Spray is that it is significantly cheaper in cost as compared to spraying the roof deck. This is because there is less square footage in your attic than in the two or more sides of your roof—for example, a 2,000 sq. ft. ranch house would typically have about 2,000 sq. ft. of floor space or attic space. If you were to spray the roof deck, depending on the pitch of the roof, you could be looking at 3,000-3,500 sq. ft. or more. The drawbacks of doing a Down Spray are that most homes contain ductwork and an HVAC system in the attic. According to some DOE estimates, as much as 25% of your air-conditioning and heat escapes through improperly sealed ductwork. Additionally, these same escape points for air can also be used to pull in pollutants from your attic. When you seal the roof deck, the attic becomes semi-conditioned space, thus allowing your HVAC system and ductwork to operate in an environment no more than 10-15 degrees different than your internal home temperature.

A Flash and Spray Cellulose insulation system is the latest approach by insulation contractors to come up with a way to take advantage of the inherent air sealing benefits of Polyurethane spray foam insulation while offering a product that is cheaper than foam. This method involves the spraying of a thin layer of Closed-cell spray Polyurethane foam (the flash) in between the wall studs and then overlaying the foam with Cellulose Wall Spray (the Spray) to fill in the rest of the R-value code requirement. The idea behind the system is to use the more expensive spray foam sparingly just to get an air seal and then fill in the balance of the R-value code requirement with less costly cellulose. When done properly, this system provides a better insulating result than the Flash and Batt Fiberglass hybrid system, and the installation of Cellulose Wall Spray and Fiberglass by themselves.

Cellulose Wall Spray, in many places around the country, has caught on as an energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative for insulating walls in new construction and retrofit projects. An eco-friendly material, Cellulose Wall Spray is comprised of standard blown-in cellulose and a small amount of water. When mixed during the spraying process, the Cellulose Wall Spray becomes sticky, allowing it to fill wall voids completely in a way almost like spray Polyurethane foam. As the moistened Cellulose fibers dry, their bond to each other and the substrate gets even stronger, which makes correctly installed Cellulose Wall Spray very resistant to settling, unlike fiberglass, which has a tendency to sag from the top down over time.

While not quite matching the R-factor or air-sealing ability of Closed-cell spray Polyurethane foam, Cellulose Wall Spray is significantly cheaper. With an R-factor of 3.8, Cellulose Wall Spray has the same R-factor as loose-fill cellulose but at twice the density (3.0 lbs/cubic ft.). When sprayed, all wiring and plumbing penetrations are automatically and completely sealed, leaving fewer thermal short circuits and virtually no convective currents within the wall cavity. As a result, customers typically report a less drafty, more comfortable living experience, and as a bonus, many people think the superior air-tightness and absorptive qualities of Cellulose Wall Spray provides a quieter indoor environment than fiberglass.

Sprayed walls should be left open until the moisture content of the fiber drops below 25%. This normally requires a 2-day drying out period depending on the climatic conditions of the area and the time of year. At Georgia Foam Solutions, we check the moisture content of the cellulose at multiple locations throughout the structure using a moisture meter to assure the fiber is dry before authorizing a close-in of the walls.

A Cellulose Wall Spray job begins by prepping the house. The combination of moisture and cellulose can leave quite a mess, so we take extra care to cover all of the windows and electrical outlets with plastic and tape. Once all of the prep work is done, the house can be sprayed. The spraying itself goes pretty quickly. It takes about 30 to 45 seconds to fill an 8-foot wall cavity, and a three or four-person crew can spray a 3,000- to the 4,000-square-foot house in a day. When a cavity is sprayed, it is filled past the face of the studs, and then shaved flush with the face of the studs. The nice thing about Cellulose Wall Spray is that this method is very efficient in the use of materials as shavings can be collected, combined with fresh material, and reapplied elsewhere in the job, leaving little to no waste.

The Dense-Packed Cellulose system is a system for installing blown cellulose compactly into existing walls and cathedral ceilings, making it an excellent option for those homeowners who have an older or poorly insulated home. This system involves drilling a single hole into each stud cavity from the exterior of the home, then feeding a flexible rubber hose into the cavity until it reaches the bottom or opposite end. The hose is then pulled back slowly as the insulation is blown into the cavity. The hole is then sealed up, and the siding or roofing shingles are then reapplied.

The primary advantage of the Dense-Packed Cellulose system is that it can offer a homeowner with an older or poorly insulated home a way to significantly improve their insulation without demolishing the interior of their house. Furthermore, once a dense pack is achieved, heat loss attributed to convection currents within walls is reduced by effectively stopping air movement. Dense-Packed Cellulose fibers compact tightly around wires, plumbing, and other penetrations providing an excellent insulating blanket that results in a slightly elevated R-value approaching R-4 per inch.

A Polyurea Coating System is truly remarkable coatings, linings, and joint sealant technology. Polyurea by name is not a specific coating system or a specification; it is a description of polymer technology. Polyurea Coating is a great technology that boasts so many different formulations and physical property ranges. There are pure polyureas (defined by the PDA), and there are hybrid polyurea systems, each possessing their own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.