​LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

We serve Traverse City ​homeowners and businesses safely and ethically

Spray Foam Insulation Traverse City, MI

Welcome to Traverse Spray Foam Insulation. Our company offers spray foam services for residential and commercial projects to the residents of Traverse and the surrounding areas. Are you considering spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI?

Foam insulation is a great choice as it has several benefits over traditional types of insulation like cellulose and fiberglass.

Over the years, we've encountered homeowners who have a preconceived notion about spray foam insulation. But, the majority of the time, these are misconceptions about spray foam insulation.
​
Thus, before you choose spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI, you should inform yourself so that you can make an informed decision for home or commercial insulation projects.

Privacy Policy

What is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation or polyurethane was invented by Otto Bayer and it became very popular in the 1970s. Since then it has been used for various applications including cushions, airplanes, shoes, and for home and commercial insulation projects.

Spray insulation is a combination of polyol resins and isocyanates. When these two chemicals are combined, they react with each other, and spray foam insulation is formed. The best part about foam insulation is that when it is sprayed, it takes the shape of the place where it is used and forms a complete air seal.

Foam insulation expands 30 to 60 times in volume. This will harden within a few minutes and take up to 48 hours or so to cure completely. If you are considering installing spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI, it is recommended to hire a professional insulation contractor for the job.

Defining R-value

​It is important to understand what R-value is when it comes to home insulation. Insulation materials each have their own R-value. It can be defined as the ability of a material to resist the flow of heat.

The higher the R-value of insulation material, the better is the insulation properties. Your insulation contractor will know exactly what R-value you need according to your local building codes. Different areas in your home will also have a different R-value. For instance, the R-value for your attic will differ from the R-value of the walls.

The R-value of cellulose insulation is between R-3 and R-3.8 per inch and the R-value for fiberglass insulation is between R-2.2 and R-3.8 depending on if it is blown in fiberglass or batts. Spray foam insulation has an R-value of R-3.7 and R-7 per inch depending on whether it is open or closed cell spray foam.

Types of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI can be categorized into two types. The first one is light density spray foam or open cell spray foam and the second type is medium density spray foam or closed cell spray foam.

Open Cell Spray Foam
This is also known as half-pound foam or light density open cell spray foam insulation. It is semi-rigid and has a sponge-like appearance. In this case, the cells are not fully encapsulated and when open cell spray foam insulation is sprayed, it creates tiny open cells that are filled with carbon dioxide.

Open cell spray foam can stick to irregular surfaces and fill all cracks and crevices. It is also pliable and contracts or expands depending on the weather. Open cell spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI also acts as a sound barrier and is recommended for indoor applications and interior walls. This type of insulation does not act as a vapor barrier.

Closed Cell Spray Foam
Closed cell spray foam is also known as medium density or two-pound foam. In closed cell spray foam, the cells are fully encapsulated and it is much more rigid than open cell spray foam. It acts as an air barrier as well as a vapor barrier and adds strength to walls and ceilings. Closed cell spray foam is best used in outdoor applications and commercial buildings.

Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI has several benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages.

Moisture Impermeable
Spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI blocks out moisture, and closed cell spray foam does not allow any air to pass through it. This minimizes any chances of mold and mildew and reduces the chances of moisture-related problems indoors.

High R-value
Foam insulation has a high R-value and you will not need to use too much raw material to achieve the desired R-value in your home. The R-value of spray foam insulation always remains constant and it will never decrease.

Acts as an Air Sealant
Spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI is the only type of insulation that acts as an air sealant. Other types of insulation like cellulose and fiberglass do not create an air seal and allow moisture and air to pass through it.

Acts as a Sound Barrier
Open cell spray foam insulation acts as a sound dampening material as it prevents sound waves from passing through it. The cells in open cell spray foam are open and will absorb whatever noise is present in a room.

Pest and Rodent Protection
Spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI seals every crack and crevice and forms a barrier between your building structure and the outside. As a result, rodents and other critters are unable to enter your attic, crawl space, or basement.  If you already have a pest problem, you should address it before installing spray foam insulation.

Eco-friendly and long-lasting
Spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI is eco-friendly and it lasts for a longer time compared to cellulose and fiberglass. Thus it has a lesser frequency of ending up in the landfill. Once it is installed you will not need to replace it as it will last as long as your building structure is intact.

Request an Estimate

​Misconceptions of Spray Foam Insulation

Here are some common misconceptions of spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI.

Open cell spray foam insulation will absorb water
Earlier versions of open cell spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI used to absorb water.  However, with new and improved technology, one of the advantages of using open cell spray foam insulation is that it does not retain water. This aids in the prevention of mildew growth. It also depends on the quality of spray foam insulation used, so always hire a reputable spray foam insulation contractor.  

Spray foam insulation shrinks
A common misconception about form insulation is that it will shrink over time. However, this is not true. Once the chemicals react and the spray foam is sprayed in place, it should not shift, move out of place, or shrink. Shrinkage may take place if the chemicals are not mixed properly. It is important to hire an experienced insulation contractor for your spray foam insulation project in Traverse, MI.

Foam insulation will make your house tight
If you feel like the air in your room is becoming too tight, you can always turn on the kitchen hood on your bathroom fan and this will solve the problem. Foam insulation will not make the air in your home tighter.

Closed cell spray foam is better
It is not true that closed cell spray foam insulation is better than open cell just because it has a higher R-value. Open cell spray foam insulation provides an equal air seal and is cheaper. Where you decide to use open cell or close cell spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI depends on which area in your home you want to insulate.  

Foam insulation has an odor
Another common misconception is that spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI will smell for many years. But this is not true because once the form insulation cures it will not release any order. Always make sure that your insulation contractor is experienced and professional.  

Your roof deck shingles will get ruined
Roofing shingles will not be damaged if you use spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI. Spray foam insulation may create a hot roof in an unvented attic because when the underside of your roof deck is insulated the temperature will go up by a bit but this should not cause any damage to your shingles.

Where Can Spray Foam be Installed?

Spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI can be installed in almost all areas in a home or commercial building. Here are some common areas to install spray foam.

• Wall insulation- It is easy to add spray foam to both interior as well as exterior walls when construction is new or an older building is under renovation. However, today insulation contractors can wall insulation without tearing down your walls if you opt for injection foam insulation.

 

• Attic insulation - Attic insulation is very important to add to a home as it cuts down on energy bills. Spray foam insulation is a great option to add to your attic so as to complete the building envelope.

 

• Basement insulation - Spray foam insulation can also be added to the basement especially if you use the basement as a part of your living space.

 

• Crawl space insulation - Crawl space insulation is as important as attic insulation and can prevent cold floors by stopping cold air from underground from moving into your house. 

Areas to Avoid Spray Foam

Even though spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI is a great option and can be used in almost all areas, here are a few areas in your home where it is best avoided.

• In areas next to ceiling light boxes - Spray foam insulation should be avoided near recessed ceiling canister lights. This is because it gives out heat and they could be the risk of a fire. Always consult an insulation professional regarding alternatives in this regard.

 

• Areas next to electrical boxes - It is recommended not to use spray foam insulation between an electrical box and the outside wall because if foam gets inside the box it can jam the parts. It would also mean that you are introducing flammable chemicals here. If you don’t need to use spray foam insulation in this region, ask your insulation contractor to use a low expanding type.

 

• Open cell spray foam on your roof- It is recommended by some not to use open cell spray foam on your roof because the moisture from the indoors can escape through the foam and settle on the cold roof sheathing. This will eventually lead to the rotting of your roof. However, others suggest that if you used closed cell spray foam under your roof and if there is a leak in your roof you will not be able to spot it hence leading to other problems.

 

• In case of respiratory and skin problems - Since spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI contains reactive chemicals called isocyantaes, exposure can cause skin and breathing issues. If you have pre-existing problems, it is better not to introduce these chemicals to your environment.

Why Hire an Insulation Contractor?

You may be wondering whether you need to hire an insulation contractor for your spray foam insulation projects in Traverse, MI. While you may think that doing the job yourself is easy, it is not as easy as it may seem to be. Here are some reasons why you should hire an insulation contractor.

• Tools - Only insulation contractors will have the right tools to use for all spray foam insulation projects. Investing in these tools and machinery is useless if you are not planning on any more insulation projects.

 

• Avoid hazards - Removing old insulation or installing spray insulation might be a difficult task and it is best left up to the professionals. Experts are trained and know exactly how to deal with difficult situations during the installation process.

 

• Potential health risks - If your old insulation has allergens and mold, you might put yourself at risk trying to remove it by yourself. Insulation contractors take the necessary precautions when dealing with damaged insulation.

 

• Knowledgeable - When it comes to spray foam insulation, only a professional will know exactly how much to spray. Too less will not serve your insulation needs and too much will just be a waste of resources.

 

• Safety - Insulation contractors take the necessary safety measures when working on home insulation or commercial insulation projects. They wear safety goggles, gloves, respirators and a chemically resistant body suit. 

Contact Us

​Contact us if you need spray foam insulation in Traverse, MI. We have a team of the best insulation contractors with plenty of experience. At Traverse Spray Foam Insulation, we also offer a free assessment and quote

Call (231) 244-6941