Let us level with you.

WE KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE A "NUBIE" TO FOAM INSULATION

THERES JUST SO MUCH TO KNOW ABOUT THIS AMAZING PRODUCT

LETS START WITH THE BIG QUESTIONS THAT EVERYBODY ASKS

"JUST WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OPEN CELL AND CLOSED CELL FOAM ?"

Here's the FUSION GUIDE TO OPEN CELL FOAM without the Chemistry Class

How does it work?

Fusion E500 Open cell (aka HALF POUND semi-rigid foam) foam is made up of million of microscopic 'open' cells that simultaneously insulate and air-seal. What's the deal with 'open cell'? Well, we're not chemists but the 'pointy head' guys at CPI Foams in Germany tell us that when half pound foam is made, the cells are 'permeable' so they can actually 'breathe' . In other words unlike closed cell foam there is no gas trapped in the tiny air holes of the solid foam, its just air and it can move slowly in and out of the cells.

Why is this good idea? Well its a good idea if you want vapor exchange but not draughts or wind movement in your home. So if for example you attic is open and ventilated and you want to allow vapor escape, open cell is ideal for that job.

E500 Open-cell insulation is a two component formula applied under pressure and using temperature, as a liquid, which then expands into a semi-rigid mass, automatically sealing off drafty areas such as baseboards, headers, sill plates, around windows, doors, electrical outlets, pipes, etc. It also minimizes uncontrolled air leakage throughout the building envelope (wall, ceilings, etc.), thereby reducing energy losses and the possibility of mold, mildew and premature decay.

E500 looks different and feels different to E2000 and E3000 Closed cell foam. First big difference is 'its spongy' and when sprayed on its blows up like crazy - 200 - 300 times the original volume of the liquid and is fantastic for 'filling' in voids and gaps that most other insulations would be useless at.

E500 has another great party trick. It's a brilliant acoustic insulator. Customers of ours are amazed at how differently their houses 'sound' once we insulate their attic. One woman told us that she was amazed that she couldn't hear the rain beating on her roof anymore. E500 Open cell would also be a wonderful insulator to put between say a ground floor and a first floor especially if the intention was to reduce footfall noise being transmitted from upstairs, to downstairs.

E500 Open-cell Technology in Detail (the boring stuff)
When observed under a microscope, open-cell foam looks like a web with the tiniest of pathways. These pathways form as a result of the high expansion rate, and there are numerous benefits associated with this technology. While the pathways are small enough so the foam presents an effective air barrier, these lanes still allow the structure to breathe. Technically, the foam is a thermo-set, rigid plastic; however, the very low density makes the foam semi-flexible, which is an advantage in regions vulnerable to earthquakes. The insulation will not crack if the building is shaken. Environmentalists appreciate that the foam is water-blown, meaning the cells are formed by reacting water which forms CO2. Accordingly, E:500 has a very high percentage of renewable contents and is an effective vapor retarder, suitable for insulation in all but the most extreme climates. The product is not suitable for insulating rooms with excessive interior moisture levels, such as indoor pool areas or indoor hot tub areas. Also, in case of strong, unidirectional vapor drive, such as in commercial cold storage or wine cellars, we recommend using the E:2000 solution, which is a high density foam made by E:zero, engineered to be compatible in mixed applications.

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

What are the advantages of E500?

Open-cell (semi-rigid) spray foam insulation remains flexible throughout the life of the building. As the building expands and contracts with changes of season and temperature, it will move with the changes without destroying the seal. E500 comes with a lifetime performance warranty. As well as simplifying the construction process for the builder, open-cell 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 units . Soundproofing is another trump card benefit of E500 that is quickly appreciated in areas such as plumbing runs, media rooms and offices

Does E500 Open Cell Foam stick well to timber, metal studs and is it compatible with other building materials?

E500 Open-cell spray foam insulation produced by CPI EUROPA GMBH of Germany, adheres 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. E500 Open-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 E500 open-cell spray foam insulation is irreversible, preventing the breakdown into its constituent parts. Therefore, open-cell 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 E500 Open cell foam support or encourage the growth of mold and mildew?

Open-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?

E500 Open-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 E500 open-cell (semi-rigid) spray foam insulation.

Under tests 175mm (6.9inches) of E500 will give you a U value of .20, while 232mm (9inches) will give you a U value of .15

The unquestioned benefits of E500 lies in its ability to give you an excellent U vale but also an excellent air tightness

What are the acoustical properties of E500?

E500 Open-cell spray foam insulation has excellent sound absorption properties and sound transmission properties. When comparing spray foam insulations produced CPI EUROPA GMBH of Germany, to other insulations, there is a very noteworthy difference. As an effective air seal, E500 eliminates the air gaps through which sound travels easiest. In addition to controlling all frequencies, E500 are superior in controlling mid-range frequencies that include the most common sounds - the human voice and stereo music.

E500 has been tested to and complies with ASTM E90 standard and

achieved the STC 40 rating on 3.5"inches of foam. In layman's terms E500

is an excellent sound insulator and especially good at preventing sound

transmissions between floors

Does E500 contain urea, formaldehyde, CFCs or HCFCs?

No, E500 open-cell spray foam insulations does not contain urea, formaldehyde, CFCs or HCFCs. So you wont smell any nasty fumes

Are there health concerns associated with the use of E500 open-cell (semi-rigid) spray foam insulations?

Open-cell spray foam insulations produced by CPI EUROPA GMBH are "green" products. They are non toxic or carcinogenic products . In addition, the use of E500 open-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, E500 open-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 E500 be applied in an existing structure?

Excellent results are achieved in using E500 open-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?

E500 Open-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 E500 more expensive to buy?

Simple answer - In most cases, Yes. However in reality, E500 open-cell spray foam insulation cannot be compared to conventional insulation. What are the key differences:

* E500 Open-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 insulations simply cant seal like spray in place E500 foam can

* E500 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 insulations produced by 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.