Closed Cell Foam Vs Open Cell Foam Attic

A foams r value is its resistance to heat flow or in other words how well they insulate.

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. It s expanding properties ensure that it covers every little crack and hole but even with that ability it still needs to be installed correctly. Closed cell foam can also increase the racking strength of attic walls which. Closed cell foam is much denser than open cell foam.

Open cell is not a water barrier it will hold moisture if exposed to the outside environment. Open cell foams typically weigh in at 0 4 to 0 5 lb cu. Roofing applications typically use a 2 8 to 3 0 lb cu. 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.

Closed cell foam can be over three times that with a density of 1 75 pounds per cubic foot or more. They are broken and air fills all of the open space inside the material. It is either open cell foam where the tiny cells of the foam are not completely closed. Closed cell spray foam insulation acts as an air barrier at any thickness due to its solid properties.

Closed cell foam is roughly four times as dense as open cell for insulation applications. Open cell spray foam insulation needs to be at full thickness before it can act as an air barrier. Calculating spray foam costs. But open cell spray foam with a vapor retarder can work too.

In density or even higher for certain applications. To ascertain foam density one cubic foot cu. 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. Most open cell foam has a density of about 5 pounds per cubic foot.

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. In density whereas closed cell ranges from 1 7 to 3 0 lb cu. The insulation is blown into the wall or attic one layer 1 at a time. Ft of foam material is weighed.

Closed cell foam for insulation applications range in density from 1 7 lb cu. This makes the foam weaker or softer feeling than closed cell foam. Closed cell foam differs in that all of its tiny foam cells are closed and packed together. To support traffic and loads better.