When it comes to insulating exterior walls, we only spray with Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation, which has the highest R-Value of any insulation, making it the most energy & cost efficient material to insulate with.
But what does all that mean? An R-Value is a rating system. The “R” in “R-Value” stands for thermal resistance, or in other words, resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material. So a higher R-Value = Better Thermal Barrier = Better Insulation = You save way more money on your energy bill, which also helps to maintain a green, eco-friendly environment. Go Green. Go Foam.
What This Means for an Oregon Building
The environmental case for foam is not really about the material. It is about how long the building runs its heating and cooling equipment afterwards.
Western Oregon has a long, mild, damp heating season rather than a short cold one. A house that leaks air here is not losing heat dramatically for six weeks; it is losing it steadily for six months. That is why sealing the envelope usually moves the energy number more than adding depth to the ceiling does.
The honest trade-off is the blowing agent. Closed-cell foam carries a higher embodied impact per board foot than fiberglass or cellulose. Whether that is worth it depends on how long the building will stand and how badly it currently leaks. On a leaky Oregon crawl space the payback is clear. On an already tight new build, it is a closer call, and we will say so.
We will not tell you foam is the greener choice in every situation. It is the better choice where air movement and moisture are the problem, which in this climate is most of the time.
Common Questions
Is spray foam an environmentally sound choice?
The honest answer is that it depends on the building. Closed-cell carries a higher embodied impact per board foot than fiberglass or cellulose. On a leaky Oregon crawl space the operational saving clearly outweighs it. On an already tight new build it is a closer call.
What about the blowing agents?
They are the main environmental cost of closed-cell foam. Modern formulations have improved considerably, and the specific figures depend on the product being installed, so ask for the data sheet for the foam going into your building.
Does a sealed house have air quality problems?
A tightly sealed building needs deliberate ventilation rather than accidental leakage. That is a mechanical question we will raise during the estimate if the assembly calls for it.
Related: open-cell spray foam · residential spray foam insulation
Also worth reading: where each type of foam fits, the payback.
Talk it through with an installer
Every building is different. Tell us about the property and we will give you a straight answer on what it needs.