Closed-cell insulation is a high-quality insulator and a favorable choice for both homes and commercial buildings. This insulation is so popular due to its variety of benefits and resistances. If you’re looking for the best type of insulation for moisture resistance and mold prevention, this is the best option.
It may seem strange that one type of insulation can prevent mold because so many other varieties struggle to. However, keep reading to learn how closed-cell insulation is so effective at fighting off mold and many of its other benefits.
Traditional Insulation and Mold Issues
Mold is a tricky substance to clean up and even harder to prevent. Unfortunately, many types of home insulation can become prime territory for mold growth once they trap water. This is because mold grows in damp, dark, warm locations, which interior insulation provides. Even fiberglass insulation can trap moisture and become mold-infested thanks to its thick material. Once mold infects your building, you’ll need to call in a professional to carefully remove the old insulation, clear out the mold, and replace the insulating materials.
Importance of Preventing Mold Growth in Buildings
Mold growing in your home’s insulation is not only expensive to repair but also incredibly dangerous. Prolonged exposure to mold can lead to health issues, such as breathing problems, allergy symptoms, and more. Exposure is especially dangerous for those who already have breathing problems or who are allergic. This is why it’s so crucial to minimize the chances of growth in areas around your building. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent these conditions, such as minimizing moisture through building insulation.
How Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation Prevents Mold
Closed-cell foam is a certain type of spray foam that forms totally enclosed cells. This allows it to create a barrier against a variety of elements and conditions. One of the biggest benefits of this foam variety is its resistance to water and moisture. Below, explore the many ways that closed-cell foam can naturally prevent mold growth in its various spray locations and applications.
Restricts Air Leakage
Closed-cell spray foam is one of the densest forms of spray foam, which makes it especially effective at restricting airflow. Every home or building will experience drafts, especially older buildings that need updates. Warm air escaping from holes, gaps, and cracks in the building forms these drafts. This movement of hot air and cold air would usually cause moisture to form.
However, when insulating a space with closed-cell foam, this dense, high R-value foam prevents hot air from escaping or entering. Using this type of foam creates an air-tight seal in the area and prevents moisture from accumulating through temperature changes.
Prevents Moisture
Unlike fiberglass and other traditional insulation materials, closed-cell foam doesn’t absorb water. Thanks to its enclosed cells, it doesn’t allow water to pass through. This means that it cannot form the damp, warm conditions where mold thrives.
This not only prevents mold, but it can also prevent water damage inside homes and businesses. Mold thrives in damp, water-soaked materials, but if water can’t get through this barrier to affect building materials, mold can’t form.
Compare With Open-Cell Spray Foam
Compare closed-cell foam with open-cell spray foam. Open-cell foam, while it also provides various resistances, is not as effective at repelling moisture. This is because of its structure, which leaves about half of its cells open. Because of these openings, this variety absorbs water instead of repelling it. This is why many contractors prefer closed-cell foam for certain applications or locations where moisture is more prevalent.
Other Benefits of Closed-Cell Insulation
Closed-cell foam also provides many other benefits on top of mold prevention, which is why it’s such a popular choice when you’re looking for high-quality insulation.
For one, this type of foam has one of the highest R-value ratings of any insulation, weighing in at 6.5 to 7 per inch. Due to its density, this foam also makes a productive noise barrier. It provides excellent heat resistance, which helps create a more energy-efficient home. Its high R-value keeps heat trapped inside during the winter and prevents cold air from escaping during the summer.
With all these benefits to offer, it makes sense that closed-cell foam is a more expensive option. However, because it makes buildings more energy-efficient and lasts decades, it pays for itself over time. These benefits make closed-cell foam easy to market for spray foam contractors.
Applications for Mold-Fighting Insulation
Closed-cell foam is popular in many residential and commercial building applications, thanks to its wide range of benefits. Contractors commonly use closed-cell foam in certain areas around the home or commercial buildings that require moisture resistance.
Therefore, this foam is ideal for insulating roofs, exterior walls, and basements due to the high chances of moisture collection and mold growth. Water leaks also commonly stem from these locations, so this protective foam can help prevent leaks before they start. Attics, crawl spaces, and other high-humidity areas of the home are also prime targets.
Closed-cell foam is extremely popular in areas of the country where humidity and precipitation levels are high. And here’s a fun fact: manufacturers even use closed-cell foam in some flotation devices because of its water resistance. This is one of the biggest testaments to its moisture-fighting abilities!
Equipment Needed for Closed-Cell Foam
Have these foam applications inspired you with new ways to market your own contracting business? That’s great, but if you’ve never worked with closed-cell foam before, you’ll need to know that this foam requires professional-grade insulation equipment. It is a high-density foam and requires a high-pressure system that you won’t find at any old hardware store.
Fortunately, Spray Foam Systems has you covered with our selection of spray foam systems for contractors. We carry high-quality new and used systems to provide insulation contractors with everything they need.
Now that you know how closed-cell insulation prevents mold, you can market this material in new ways to your customers. Any spray foam contractor should work with a variety of foam types, including closed-cell foam. And if you’re lacking the compatible equipment, don’t forget to browse our website and shop here at Spray Foam Systems to get your business fully equipped.
