What is Expanding Insulation?
Expanding insulation is a type of liquid foam that is either sprayed or poured into place. Commonly used to insulate home appliances and hot tubs, expanding insulation is becoming more popular in home insulation as well. It has many advantages over traditional fiberglass batts or blown insulation. Expanding insulation is a combination of liquid polyurethane or acrylic latex, mixed with compressed gases, also called blowing agents. It can be poured into attics or other enclosed cavities, or sprayed onto surfaces that are not enclosed. As the liquid hardens, or cures, the gases expand, causing the foam to grow and fill in the entire cavity, sealing up cracks and crevices as it expands. For this reason, expanding insulation is ideal for odd-shaped areas where traditional insulation batts are difficult to fit. Expanding insulation usually has a higher R-value than other types of home insulation. In the U.S., all insulation is given an R-value, which is a measurement of thermal resistance.
