Foam insulation is a form of insulation that is sprayed onto walls or into small, complicated to reach places. Because it is not difficult to use it is the first choice for many consumers looking to buy insulation. Home owners must be accustomed to the “R-value” of the material which is the choice of its thermal resistance. Better quality insulation has a higher R-value, while the opposite is true: a lower R-value denotes a poor quality insulation. Before tackling a job like installing insulation, it’s imperative to be aware of the pros and cons of the different kinds of foam insulation. The first kind of foam insulation is polystyrene, either extruded (XPS) or expanded (EPS), which is quick to recycle that is why it may be broken down quickly to originate other products.

On the other hand, it is potentially adverse to humans because of the bromine-based flame retardants.

The bromide based retardants can cause fatigue, liver dysfunction, reproductive difficulties, respiratory problems and confusion. Polyurethane foam is another choice out there for the attentive consumer.

It is generated from a mixture of polyol resin and polyisocyanurate. The pro is that it has the ability to create air-tight seals that are water-resistant into openings in a ceiling or wall. But, on the down side, it can take a full day for this kind of foam insulation to harden. Insulation that has a low R-value is less harmful to our natural surroundings than an insulation with a greater R-value.

The polyiso, or polyisocyanurate is most often used in places where dampness is less likely to be a problem.

InsulationIt is made up into a hardened board of foam that has a thin foil on its outside to fight against the damp. Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are occasionally used in its production. One pro is that it is more earth friendly than either polyurethane or polystyrene. Icynene is the fourth form of foam insulation which is a mixture of carbon dioxide and water. It certainly has it’s pros because it does not lose it’s R-value over a long period of time and is made into a malleable foam.

The last type is the air krete which is cement-based and is produced from magnesium oxide. It’s upside is that no hazardous chemicals are used when making this kind of foam insulation.

Additionally, it is fireproof and mold-resistant. A home owner must take into account the potential environmental hazards, manufacturing and disposal practices, and the product’s ability to do the job when buying foam insulation.