If you’ve been living in your current house for quite some time, you may start to notice your energy bills going up. Now that could be due to a number of factors. One reason could be due to an insulation problem. Yes, insulation wears down over the years, which eventually degrades your home’s temperature protection. That said, you need to be able to know how long your spray foam insulation will last so you can swap it out with a new one. Here’s how you can know the lifespan of your spray foam insulation:

How Does Spray Foam Actually Work

First, we need to understand how spray foam works. Spray foam is actually a foam made out of two liquid components – polyol and isocyanate. The polyol and isocyanate are mixed in exact ratios so that when they are sprayed on the insulating surface, they react to form a foam because of the heat generated by the chemical reaction. Spray foam is a highly effective and versatile insulation material that can be installed in a house in order to seal any gaps.

Why Homeowners Prefer Spray Foam Insulation

Now let’s talk about why a homeowner would install spray foam insulation. The first and likely the most important reason is that spray foam insulation can increase the overall energy efficiency of a home. Spray foam can protect your home from heat loss and protect it from the elements. It can also fill in and eliminate the space where air can travel through. And it does this without affecting the overall look of your house. In fact, many homeowners love the appearance of a house that is insulated with spray foam because it has a clean, smooth, and seamless appearance.

How Long Does Spray Foam Last?

You can usually expect your spray foam insulation to last for around 15-20 years. If a homeowner finds that the spray foam insulation is not working as well as it should, then they will likely start to notice that the house is more susceptible to heat loss than it should be. This could be due to air permeating through the cracks and gaps in the house. However, spray foam is relatively inexpensive, so you could always replace it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.

What Affects the Lifespan of Insulation?

There are a number of factors that can affect the lifespan of spray foam insulation.

The first factor is the quality of the spray foam insulation. If the spray foam insulation turns out to be of a cheaper quality, then you can expect it to last for less time as well. However, if you’re buying insulation for your home, you better be sure that it is of the highest quality because you’re going to invest a lot of money in it.

The second factor is environmental conditions. If the spray foam insulation is exposed to extreme weather conditions such as extreme heat, extreme cold, or extreme humidity, its lifespan can be affected as well.

The third factor is the overall structure of your house. Spray foam insulation is not dense enough to fill in every crack or gap. It won’t fill in holes or gaps that are too large for it. It will only fill in those gaps that are smaller than the nozzle that is used for spraying the foam. To fill in larger gaps, you need to use a different insulation material.

Replacing Your Spray Foam Insulation

If your house is regularly exposed to extreme weather conditions, it is important that you check the spray foam insulation on a regular basis. If you find that the spray foam insulation is aging, it is best to replace it. The general rule of thumb for replacing spray foam insulation is that it is time to replace it when it has become discoloured, brittle, or wet. You can replace spray foam insulation yourself, or if you hire a professional, they will tear out the old one and install new insulation.

Conclusion

Spray foam insulation is one of the most versatile and effective insulation materials that you can use to insulate your house. It is also one of the most cost-effective insulation materials. However, it is essential to keep in mind that the lifespan of spray foam insulation is not permanent. That said, you should be able to know how long it will last so you can plan accordingly.

If you’re looking for a foam insulation contractor that can install or replace your home’s insulation, there’s only one name to trust. Foamworks is Western GTA’s finest insulation contractor, specializing in the quality application of spray foam insulation. Whether you need residential or commercial spray foam installation, our team can do it for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services!