Residential Spray Foam Insulation Contractors

We specialize in high-performance spray foam insulation solutions for homes in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Your Local Spray Foam Insulation Contractor

Let the experts at Austin Company bring your home the warmth it deserves. Our residential foam insulation service ensures that your home is well-insulated throughout the year, including the cold winter season.

Austin Company has worked with architects, builders, and homeowners in the Charlotte area to deliver high-quality spray foam insulation.

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What is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam, or spray polyurethane foam (SPF), is an insulation that insulates and air seals. The two types of spray foam insulation include open-cell and closed-cell.

Open-Cell Spray Foam Insulation vs. Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation

Structure: Open-cell spray foam is also described as a “low density” or “0.5 lb.” foam, meaning if you cut a piece of open-cell foam into one cubic foot (12”x12”x12”), that piece of foam would weigh approximately half of one pound. The microscopic cells within open cell foam are just that—open— which give it a soft, fluffy feeling. We often compare the texture of open-cell foam to a sponge.

Closed-cell spray foam, on the other hand, is also known as “medium density” or “2.0 lb.” foam. Can you guess how much one cubic foot of closed-cell foam weighs?

The tiny cells of medium density (2 lb. foam) are closed and the texture is firm and rigid. After it has cured, closed-cell foam is essentially a hard plastic.

Application: Generally speaking, open-cell foam is better suited for residential applications— precisely above grade in exterior walls, rooflines, attic floors, and areas that need soundproofing.

Closed-cell spray foam is an incredible product below grade in your basement or crawl space because of its ability to block moisture (see below). You’ll also see closed-cell used in commercial and industrial projects, pole barns, metal buildings, and exterior applications.

Moisture Barrier: Open-cell spray foam is not a moisture vapor barrier and will allow moisture to pass. So, if you’re considering spraying foam to the roof deck of your new or existing home, you want open-cell. If there’s a roof leak, water will pass through the foam, and you will quickly be able to find your problem.

At a thickness of 1.5”, many closed-cell products can provide a moisture barrier to reject bulk water. It’s these vapor permeability characteristics that make closed-cell products perfect for insulating basement and crawl space walls. It will completely lock out the damp, musty, humid smells most basements have to fight.

R-Value: At Austin Company, our open-cell spray polyurethane foam of choice is Icynene Classic Max. Classic Max has an R-value of 3.7 per inch, and that’s pretty standard in the world of open-cell products. So, if your home or building is framed on 2’x4’ studs, you’ll have an R-13 in your walls. If it’s framed on 2’x6’ studs, you’ll have an R-20 in your walls.

In closed-cell applications, we’ll be spraying Icynene ProSeal with an R-value of 7.0 per inch. As mentioned earlier, closed-cell spray foam is commonly used in basements and crawl spaces. We recommend a minimum of 2? sprayed to crawl space foundation and basement walls for an R-value of 14.

Air Barrier: It’s essential to keep in mind that the main benefit of all spray foam insulations is their air sealing property. It’s not all about R-value!

At a minimum of 3.5”, most open-cell foams are considered air impermeable. Because open-cell foam expands at about 100x its liquid state, every crack and crevice gets filled (creating a very airtight environment). That’s what you’re after in applying spray foam.
Closed-cell foam acts in a similar way, expanding roughly 40x its liquid state. It is considered air-impermeable at about 1.5” thick.

is composed of low-density material used for interior applications (attics, basements, crawl spaces, etc.) Spray foam insulation is also known as foaming insulation or sprayed insulation.

Why Spray Foam Insulation for Your Home?

Many homeowners decide to use spray foam to insulate their homes for several reasons. Spray foam insulation helps to save you thousands of dollars on your electric bill. It can also reach places in your home that other types of insulation cannot reach.

Additional benefits of spray foam insulation include:

Energy Savings:

The energy savings that spray foam insulation provides surpasses other types of insulation by nearly 20%.

Air-tight Seal:

Spray foam insulation creates an air-tight seal that is powerful and nearly 24 times less permeable to air infiltration than its competition. With the ability to push itself into tiny cracks or crevices, it’s no wonder why homeowners choose spray foam insulation for a complete air seal.

Moisture Barrier:

If you’re looking for an insulation solution that’s impermeable to water, spray foam insulation is the answer. Unlike other types of material, spray foam insulation will not absorb water (this comes in handy in case flooding occurs in an insulated area of your home).

Long Lifespan:

Spray foam comes with a long lifespan, saving homeowners money for several years after installation.

Highest Rank on the Market:

When it comes to insulation, spray foam insulation has the highest R-value (R-6) compared to other types of insulation.

Eco-Friendly:

Spray foam insulation is an eco-friendly product. As a result of its long lifespan, spray foam insulation produces fewer consumed materials. It also creates a green household by reducing energy consumption.