What Is Sprayed Polyurethane Foam?

There is no better insulating material available to seal your home, office or commercial building from air and moisture intrusion, save on costly utility bills, add structural stability, and protect your health from dangerous mold, airborne pollutants, and allergens than Sprayed Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation.

The major application for SPF is in the construction industry as a commercial roofing system and in commercial and residential construction as a perimeter wall insulation material. Use of SPF for wall insulation in the residential housing sector is a rapidly growing market, due to the many energy saving and air/moisture barrier advantages over traditional fiberglass and cellulose insulation systems.  Rigid polyurethane foams are also used as insulation in buildings, on roofs, water heaters, refrigerated transport, and commercial and residential refrigeration where their insulation value, high strength, moisture resistance and durability are required.

SPF is produced by a chemical reaction when two liquid components are combined, an isocyanate, known as the "A" component, and a polyol resin, known as the "B" component. When the two liquids are mixed together (typically at a one-to-one ratio), a chemical reaction occurs creating rigid, or semi-rigid foam. The mixed liquid starts to react in seconds, expanding 20 to 30 times its liquid state (100 to 150 times for open cell foam). Once cured it solidifies and becomes polyurethane foam.

Studies have shown that as much as 40% of a building’s energy loss is due to heat loss, or gain, through walls, roofs and windows. SPF is an incredible material for roofing systems and thermal insulation with its excellent water resistance and ability to air-seal your home or building with R-values ranging to 6.5 to 7.0 per inch. This efficiency contributes to significant energy savings throughout the life of a building and benefits the owner allowing the use of smaller capacity cooling and heating equipment.

For further information on residential foam application, see “Sprayed Polyurethane Foam”.

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The Building Envelope
Thermal Roof Systems, Inc. • 6750 Florin Perkins Road, Suite 400 • Sacramento, CA 95828
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