Spray foam insulation is a staple of modern insulation in homes, businesses, and more. This type of insulation became popular back in the 1980s, but did you know it was being utilized years before that? For more information on how spray foam became what it is today, here’s a brief history of spray foam insulation.
Polyurethane Roots
It all started with the emergence of polyurethane foam, which is one of the most-used forms of spray foam. Polyurethane traces back to Germany in the 1930s, where it was originally discovered. When the material arrived in the United States in the 1940s, it became an integral part of the WWII effort. Rather than insulating homes, polyurethane was reserved exclusively for military and aviation applications, as the need for polymer materials was so great.
The Move to Home Insulation
After the war, materials such as polyurethane opened up for more general use. During the 1950s, the invention of the “Blendometer” sparked the use of polyurethane as a home insulation material. This device could mix the chemical components needed to make polyurethane expanding foam. The Blendometer was the spark that made home spray foam insulation possible.
Advancements in Home Insulation
After the invention of the Blendometer, it took until the 1970s for spray foam insulation to become widespread throughout most homes. In the 1970s, the energy crisis made the need for more efficient home insulation more apparent. Gas and heat were precious commodities, which only boosted the popularity of energy-efficient spray foam insulation. Fast-forward to modern day, and this is still one of the main reasons why homeowners choose spray foam insulation.
Spray foam insulation and its application have come a long way since spray foam’s discovery as polyurethane foam. Hopefully, this look into the brief history of spray foam insulation has shown just how important this material can be, even outside of home insulation. And if you own a spray foam business yourself and wish to upgrade your equipment to the most modern models, visit Spray Foam Systems, LLC. You can stock up on all the best brands, such as Graco spray machine parts, and more.
