Aerosol foam is an ideal choice for insulating the attic floor because it is impermeable to air and is a powerful insulator. This will prevent air conditioning in the living room of the house and hot or cold air from the attic from entering the house, where it can cause condensation, mold and other problems. In addition to the cost of attic or home insulation, one of the main disadvantages of insulation with sprayed foam is its harmful effects on the environment. Specifically, the foaming agent that creates the tiny holes in the foam and gives it insulating power has a high global warming potential (GWP).
According to the EPA, GWP measures the amount of energy that will absorb 1 ton of gas emissions over a specific period (usually 100 years) relative to 1 ton of carbon dioxide. The higher the number, the more the gas heats the earth. Any of the aerosol foam insulation systems for attics will work well, but the best way to insulate the attic really depends on your situation. Closed-cell foam insulation is a powerful insulator with an R (thermal resistance) value of 6 to 7 per inch of thickness.
The first big advantage of insulating the attic floor over beams is that if you measure the square footage, you'll have less almost every time you look at the attic floor. Adding insulating foam is a possible solution for homeowners looking to add insulation to reduce outside noise or minimize the amount of noise that is transferred between floors. There are several factors to consider when considering installing aerosol foam insulation and how to hire an accredited insulation contractor. Open-cell foam insulation is not as strong an insulator as its closed-cell counterpart, with almost half the R-value, but it is a cheaper alternative to closed-cell insulation, since expands more.
Especially for complicated materials such as aerosol foam insulation, hiring a professional can ensure that the installation is done correctly. Open-cell foam insulation can achieve an STC rating of 40 to 50, and insulation with mineral wool blocks can achieve an STC rating of 50. The insulation materials themselves are more expensive than those of other types, but insulation with aerosol foam also requires careful application. One of these low GWP options might be a better option for homeowners who decide that spray foam insulation is the right choice for their home.
If you insulate the attic floor, you will need free ventilation grilles and ensure that they are properly maintained in the long term. By insulating the attic beams with aerosol foam, a conditioned space is created in which the attic has the same temperature as the rest of the house. The most important thing to keep in mind is that if you are going to insulate the attic floor, you will need ventilation.
