Closed Cell Foam Vs Open Cell Foam Attic

Closed cell foam has a higher r value than open cell foam usually about 6 0 per inch.

Closed cell foam vs open cell foam attic.

Ft of foam material is weighed. In density or even higher for certain applications. To support traffic and loads better. They are broken and air fills all of the open space inside the material.

Closed cell foam differs in that all of its tiny foam cells are closed and packed together. Closed cell spray foam insulation acts as an air barrier at any thickness due to its solid properties. The insulation is blown into the wall or attic one layer 1 at a time. This makes the foam weaker or softer feeling than closed cell foam.

Open cell foam has an r value of about 3 5 to 3 7 per inch while closed cell foam has an r value of about 6 per inch. Closed cell foam for insulation applications range in density from 1 7 lb cu. Closed cell foam is much denser than open cell foam. Calculating spray foam costs.

If you need an air barrier as part of your installation closed cell is a better choice. To ascertain foam density one cubic foot cu. Open cell tends to be roughly 0 5 lb cu. A foams r value is its resistance to heat flow or in other words how well they insulate.

Many builders in cold climates use closed cell spray foam instead because of its lower water vapor permeability which means it doesn t need the extra step of installing a vapor retarder. Open cell has an r value of 3 7 and closed cell has an r value of 6 5 based per inch of installed spray foam. Roofing applications typically use a 2 8 to 3 0 lb cu. But open cell spray foam with a vapor retarder can work too.

Closed cell foam is roughly four times as dense as open cell for insulation applications. Most open cell foam has a density of about 5 pounds per cubic foot. Open cell foams typically weigh in at 0 4 to 0 5 lb cu. In density whereas closed cell ranges from 1 7 to 3 0 lb cu.

Open cell is not a water barrier it will hold moisture if exposed to the outside environment. Open cell spray foam insulation needs to be at full thickness before it can act as an air barrier. Open cell foam is weaker or softer feeling than closed cell foam but a much better sound barrier than closed cell due to the open nature of the cells. Closed cell foam can be over three times that with a density of 1 75 pounds per cubic foot or more.