The History of Spray Foam Insulation
Although spray foam insulation as we know it today truly emerged in the 1980s, spray foam actually has its roots several decades further in the past, beginning with the development of polyurethane foam in the 1940s by Otto Bayer.
Otto Bayer, an industrial chemist, actually began working with polyurethane in Germany during the late 1930s. This technology was brought to the United States in the early 1940s by David Eynon, the president of Mobay, a war effort conglomerate created from the partnering of two chemical industry giants, Monsanto and the Bayer Corporation. Although Otto Bayer worked for Bayer Corporation, he was not related to the company's founding family.
During the 1940s, polyurethane polymers were used primarily in military and aviation applications. The production of war machines for the World War II conflict drove most of the applications of these high-grade plastic polymers for the duration of the war.
It was not until the 1950s that polyurethane began to be used in home insulation. It was the invention of the "Blendometer" that allowed for expansion of polyurethane application to the home insulation realm. The Blendometer was the first machine able to mix components for the creation of polyurethane foam and was created by Walter Baughman in 1953.
The Blendometer allowed for the strategic mixing of chemicals to create what Baughman called a plastic elastomer or an expanding foam. Liquid when applied, this plastic elastomer expanded into a thick foam and eventually hardened upon drying.
Baughman's Blendometer was still a partially manual process, with humans tilting trays of chemicals to mix foam. While the machine did allow for the use of polyurethane in home insulation as well as in other home-related applications, like air conditioner insulation, it was still a technology in its infancy and one that made widespread use of polyurethane as a residential insulation material no less cumbersome.
Polyurethane polymers were used in a variety of means throughout the following decades, with incredible advancements being made in the auto industry applications of the material in particular. However, it would be more than two decades before the foam would become widely used in home insulation processes.
Building on Baughman's invention, the first dedicated spray technology machine was constructed in 1963 by Fred Gusmer. The 1960s and 1970s saw technological advancements which made spray foam's use in home insulation more easily achievable and affordable.
It was also in the 1970s that the idea of the "super insulated" home emerged. Largely driven by the energy crisis of the 1970s, home builders and homeowners alike began to look for ways to improve the energy efficiency of homes.
The crisis fueled advancements in technology that laid the foundation for modern spray foam applications. It was the development of advanced spray nozzle technology that allowed spray foam insulation to be used widely in home construction and improvement projects.
The spray foam nozzle allows the foam mixture and the chemical responsible for its expansion capabilities to be separated until just prior to application. The spray foam mixture consists of several key components but it is the expansion chemical, isosynate, which is responsible for its easy application and expansive character.
The application nozzle allows the foam mixture and the isosynate to be delivered to the nozzle through separate hoses, mixing only seconds before being sprayed. The spray foam arrives at its destination as a liquid but quickly expands into a foam substance and later dries into a hardened plastic upon curing.
The 1980s and early 1990s saw a great deal of controversy within the spray foam insulation industry as different marketing schemes from various companies promoted the benefits of closed verses open foam insulation and as some companies tried to market water blown foam application processes.
Though there has been much debate within the industry, R-value standards, used as a measure of determining energy efficiency, have cleared up much of the controversy. R-value ratings clearly define closed foam as the most effective means of making a home as energy efficient as possible.
Closed cell spray foam has additionally been added to the list of building requirements for making homes in hurricane and earthquake zones more structurally sound. The improved stability of homes insulated with spray foam technology makes the use of spray foam a smart move for any homeowner regardless of geographic location.
Questions and Answers
DIY polyurethane foam insulation kits for home use allow homeowners a chance to do insulation of their homes on their own. The diy kits come complete with all the equipment needed to apply the spray foam. They also have careful step-by-step instructions that need to be followed in order to the job safely and also for best results.
Spray Foam is Green saves on utility bills in Winter and Summer. Even keeps the air inside your house cleaner.
Undoubtedly, expanded spray foam insulation is the most advanced technology in the market today over all the other conventional types of insulation such as fiberglass or cellulose insulation, etc. This technology is not new having been around for many years but because of its expensiveness has not caught up with the public until recently. Spray foam insulation (SPF) in recent years has made a breakthrough in its cost of production and packaging.
Thermal diffusion-conduction is a scientific term that relates to how different temperature transfers take place. It is a very important aspect when it comes to understanding how insulation works and why insulation is important.
Spray foam is by far the most efficient and environmentally sound method of insulating your home. It is also a most cost effective means of making your home comfortable year round.
Subterranean room water resistant has become well-known as property owners have sought to convert difficult basement area into home.
NW Bath Systems has been serving the Portland area with the highest quality bathroom remodeling services for years. We specialize in the design and installation of everything in your bathroom.
With the weather as shaky and abnormal as it has been this year, most areas are having to deal with problems associated with the weather, that they may not be used to. Hopefully you won't have to worry about concerns like these or worse, but it is always better to be prepared just in case. Here are a few items to consider when dealing with roof issues after a storm!
Massachusetts is one the most popular states in the United States of America. It is said that most of the houseowners in Massachusetts are installing septic tanks to manage the sewage water in their residence or business location.
Septic tanks are mostly found in rural areas because of poor sewage system. Most of the individuals in such areas prefer to install septic tanks for their sewage access. These septic tanks collect all the sewage waste that comes out from lavatories, bathrooms, washing stations, and kitchen.
The Make It Right Foundation was originally founded in an effort to address the massive need for rebuilding energy-efficient and affordable homes in New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Ellen DeGeneres and Canadian contractor Mike Holmes have all been heavily involved in the foundation since...
According to the US Department of Energy, "buildings consume almost 40% of the nation's energy". Clearly that is a huge chunk of energy usage and it behooves everyone to learn the how's and why's of reducing energy consumption.
Before spray foam insulation (SFI) has been applied and had a chance to cure, it likes to be in a comfortable environment. Think of it as Granny Polyurethane, she needs tender care and just the right environment to be at her best. Everything needs to be just so, and when the setting is right then Granny is happy and more willing to offer protection against the harsh outside world
After long hours of searching you have finally landed in the right place. At last the elusive answers to questions on insulation and spray foam are here awaiting your approval. These aren't the usual newbie FAQ's. These are the 'technical' questions only the really savvy home renovators ask. No more intense bouts of frustration where you suddenly find you're banging your head on the keyboard. The real answers to the advanced questions are here, so say goodbye to impressions of little square
A house is not just home; it is a system of heating, cooling, air flow and air pressure. Every time a door is opened, air is exchanged. When someone walks down a hall or enters a room, air flows around and with their body. When a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is in use there is a constant exchange of air throughout the home. As air flows, it can be pushed or sucked into crevices and gaps. Some of those gaps may be between the floor and a closed door, or even small
Discuss this Article
