Just when I thought I knew what SPRAY FOAM INSULATION was all about along along comes two more types of foam. It looks like there's Open Cell and Closed Cell now. Huh!

Could someone simplify this for me please?

You've come to the right place. Here at Fusion we wont baffle you with Science (unless you want us to) or blind you with figures. You want straight answers and we're going to give them to you.

Open Cell v Closed Cell, Half Pound Foam versus Two Pound Foam, Soft Foam v Hard Foam. Whats it all about?

In the beginning there was pretty much one type of foam. It was all closed cell back then and it was made from two components. One was the Iso'nate and the other ingredient was a setting agent or a resin. You heated these two up, put them under pressure in a special machine, mixed them thoroughly at the same time and then sprayed them out of a special gun. This liquid spray then did something magically.

The liquid expanded about 50 times its original volume and turned to a solid. Not just any old solid though. It was now a solid foam with billions of little holes, filled with gas from the liquid mix, trapped forever in the foam. And what are little closed cells full of gas good for ?

TRAPPING THE MOVEMENT OF HEAT OR COLD DEPENDING ON WHAT SEASON IT WAS

E2000 closed cell foam is very strong, it has fantastic U values and it is pretty much waterproof. The cells of E2000 closed cell foam are solid, not allowing the movement of gas, air or water – Hence the name CLCOSED CELL FOAM. E2000 Closed Cell foam has some of the highest insulating values of all types of foam and because it is denser and requires more materials tends to be more expensive per m2.

E2000 and E3000 Solid Foam or Closed Cell Foam as it's known comes in two main types (although there are dozens of possible variations and permutations), 2lb Foam (E2000) and 3lb (E3000) Foam (that's Lbs/ft3 - our apologies for swapping between Imperial and Metric - Why can't everyone just speak FRENCH? )

E2000 2Lb Foam is fantastic for insulation where you wanted to create a watertight and airtight and vapour tight barrier. It is tough and durable and for example if you sprayed it onto the underside of roof’s it actually makes the roof stronger. 2lb Foam can be used for pretty much any insulation task and is the great all rounder for Roof’s Attic’s Lofts and Walls

E3000 3Lb Foam is just a denser version of 2Lb Foam and is so strong it can be walked on without damage. It’s a fantastic system for use for example in basement floors, basement walls and roof decks.

What are the downside’s of E2000 2lb and E3000 3lb foam. When compared to roll and sheet type insulation it’s more expensive in terms of its capital cost. But when the whole life savings are factored in closed cell foams achieve a payback and you get those wonderful benefits of air-tightness, that you cant really put a value or an ROI on.

Closed cell foams are airtight and vapor tight so you need to check is you attic or loft designed to be vented or ventilated versus closed and unventilated. If your Attic or Loft, or walls are designed to be open ventilated to outside air then you should also consider our E500 Open Cell Foam

Are there Fire Risks from putting closed cell foam in my attic or loft? The rules aren’t hard and fast when it comes to foam insulation in attics but a good rule we recommend, is that if there is no regular access to your attic by personnel, the your sheet rock and plaster board acts as a perfectly acceptable fire risk mitigator. If on the other hand you have air-conditioning equipment or other types of electrical equipment in your attic requiring regular access for service personnel then the foam may have to be sprayed with an in-tumescent /spark arresting coating.

Jump now to our Open Cell Foam page to get the 'skinny' on open cell foam

...and now some of the questions you have been dying to ask;

What are the advantages of E2000 and E3000 Closed Cell Foam?

Closed-cell (rigid) spray foam insulation remains solid throughout the life of the building however it will move with the small changes in your building without destroying the seal. E2000 and E3000 comes with a lifetime performance warranty. As well as simplifying the construction process for the builder, spray foam insulation eliminates the major causes of building envelope problems - airborne moisture movement and entrapment. Heating and cooling costs are typically reduced by 30 to 50%, and more money can be saved by purchasing a (properly sized) smaller, less expensive heating and cooling unit .

Does Closed Cell Foam stick well to timber, metal studs and is it compatible with other building materials?

Closed Cell spray foam insulation produced by CPI EUROPA GMBH of Germany, adheres extremely well to steel studs and other natural materials such as cement board, wood, etc. Since open-cell insulation will adhere to almost all surfaces, areas that do not require spray foam insulation (such as windows, doors etc.) must be protected from over-spray. It is stable in the presence of most solvents found in binders, bituminous materials, wood preservatives, and sealers. It is resistant to facers containing plasticizers, fuel, mineral oil, weak acid, and weak bases, which are typically found in residential and commercial construction materials. Closed cell spray foam insulation produced by CPI Europa GMBH is non-corrosive and neutral (neither acidic nor alkaline) and will not cause corrosion to metal studs and other metals typically found in construction.


Does it break down, shrink or sag?

The reaction that created the E2000 and E3000 closed cell spray foam insulation is irreversible, preventing the breakdown into its constituent parts. Therefore, closed spray foam is stable and will not shrink or sag. We warranty that for the life of the building


Are there any issues about overheating of electric wiring?

There is no special requirement needed to encapsulate electrical wires other than what is required with all types of insulation. As with other types of insulation, when the properly rated size and type of electrical wires are used, there is no overheating of those electrical wires .

Does Closed cell foam support or encourage the growth of mold and mildew?

Closed Cell Spray foam insulation is inert and offers no food value. Therefore it cannot support bacteria or fungal growth. The effective air-sealing characteristic prevents the movement of hot air to the cold parts of the walls, preventing condensation from taking place within the wall cavities. The elimination of condensation within the wall assemblies prevents the growth of molds and mildew.


What about mice, rats bugs and creepy crawlies?

Closed Cell spray foam is completely inert and acts as a physical and odor barrier and has been shown to significantly reduce the number of mice and rats entering structures. It offers no food value, and while it by itself does not present a concrete entry barrier, pests normally do not attempt to go through an area where they cannot detect a food source.


What is the U-value of E2000 open-cell (semi-rigid) spray foam insulation.

For your ease of use we have printed tables identifying the U values of closed cell foam and open cell foam on the right hand side of this page - just look to the Right now!. One other thing . Please remember that comparing U values directly wont always give you the 'real life' picture of what you are likely to experience. e.g. take our table quoting 4 inches of open cell foam with a laboratory U value of .35. Using U values alone as a guide then you would have to order 3 inches of E2000 to get the same U value performance. Right? Well, yes if you were in a laboratory because the laboratory U values for 3 inches of closed cell is approximately .34. However in the real world you need only about 2 inches of closed cell foam to achieve the same 'real' world insulation values as 4 inches of Open Cell Foam. So whats going on here? Its the AIR BARRIER EFFECT . Remember Open cell foam is breatheable (under mild air pressure)  so there is a little air movement across it, whereas with the closed cell there is no air movement. Closed cell is in fact an excellent vapour retarder


Does E2000 and E3000 contain urea, formaldehyde, CFC or HCFC?

No, CPI Closed Cell spray foam insulation does not contain urea, formaldehyde, CFC or HCFC. So you wont smell any nasty fumes


Are there health concerns associated with the use of closed cell spray foam insulation?

Closed Cell spray foam insulation produced by CPI EUROPA GMBH are "green" products. They are non toxic or carcinogenic products . In addition, the use of E2000 Closed Cell foam insulation reduces airborne dust and air infiltration, making it the healthy choice for those who suffer from allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivity.


At what stage of construction is it installed?

In new construction, E2000 Closed-cell spray foam insulation is installed after the windows, doors and roof are in, the electrical and plumbing inspections are completed, and after any other electrical or mechanical system located behind the drywall is installed. It is the last installation to take place before drywall is installed.


Can E2000 be applied in an existing structure?

Excellent results are achieved in using E2000 and E3000 closed cell spray foam insulation in the attic and in the crawl space (if applicable) without disturbing the walls in a retrofit application. The reason is that a large portion of a building’s energy loss is caused by the "chimney effect" - hot air rising therefore creating air movement within a building. For existing walls, a "pour-in-place" formula of our foam insulation is preferred. Spray foam insulation is used in walls where drywall has yet to be installed.

Who is allowed in the general area during application?

E2000 and E3000 Closed cell spray foam insulation is supplied and applied by Fusion Insulation trained personnel who have been trained in the proper safety and handling of the chemicals. Other persons should keep away from the immediate area where spraying is conducted.


Is E2000 and E3000 more expensive to buy?

Simple answer - In most cases, Yes. However in reality, E2000 and E3000 spray foam insulation cannot be compared to conventional insulation. What are the key differences:

* E2000 and E3000 Closed Cell spray foam insulation actually air-seals the building end eliminates energy robbing air leakage and the associated problems with moisture, mold and mildew and condensation problems inside the walls. Sheet and roll insulation simply can't seal like spray in place E2000 and E3000 foam can
* E2000 and E3000 carries a lifetime performance warranty. Try and put a value on peace of mind
* Ask any builder. They don't like working with sheets and rolls of insulation material . Most insulation types are hard to work with, take up a huge amount of space on site, can be itchy and cause breathing difficulties and are slow and time consuming to try and seal, thus driving up actual and real application costs.
* When calculating the actual cost you need to consider the possible ability to downsize of heating and cooling systems, and eliminate a significant portion of the material and labor costs associated with an air-sealing approach. The investment to upgrade from standard fiberglass is an insignificant part of the overall cost of a home and your long-term energy costs. When you are planning to install an upgraded insulation package, remember that the our spray foam insulation are initially more expensive but provide you with the best performance and comfort value in addition to long-term savings. The additional upfront costs typically pay for themselves in energy savings within three years and will keep on saving you money every year thereafter.