Closed Cell Vs Open Cell Foam In Attic

Closed cell foam differs in that all of its tiny foam cells are closed and packed together.
Closed cell vs open cell foam in attic. Id go with closed cell. They are broken and air fills all of the open space inside the material. Open cell foams typically weigh in at 0 4 to 0 5 lb cu. It is either open cell foam where the tiny cells of the foam are not completely closed.
Most open cell foam has a density of about 5 pounds per cubic foot. Open cell foam is used in a wide range of applications such as for noise reduction in sound rooms home insulation metal buildings under roof deck for semi conditioned attics and more. Roofing applications typically use a 2 8 to 3 0 lb cu. Open cell spray foam insulation needs to be at full thickness before it can act as an air barrier.
But then the questioner mentioned that the spray foam contractor had intentionally left big holes to the outside by not sealing the gable vents. Closed cell foam is much denser than open cell foam. Closed cell foam for insulation applications range in density from 1 7 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.
A foams r value is its resistance to heat flow or in other words how well they insulate. As a result in iecc climate zones 5 and higher building codes require the use of a vapor retarder if you install open cell spray foam. A lot of builders and homeowners are going with spray foam insulation because of the airtightness benefits. An overview of closed cell spray foam insulation closed cell spray foam insulation is highly efficient.
Seems like you wouldnt want to seal something susceptible to mold growth but maybe thats just me. Closed cell is denser better insulating. To support traffic and loads better. If you need an air barrier as part of your installation closed cell is a better choice.
Closed cell spray foam insulation acts as an air barrier at any thickness due to its solid properties. Open cell is more susceptible to mold and mildew but its expanding so it can hermetically seal an area. Closed cell foam can be over three times that with a density of 1 75 pounds per cubic foot or more. Closed cell foam can also increase the racking strength of attic walls which.