Open Or Closed Cell Foam For Attic

Using spray foam insulation in an unvented attic application.

Open or closed cell foam for attic.

Do it right and your roof will not rot. Closed cell foam has a higher r value than open cell foam usually about 6 0 per inch. There you have it. Light density open cell spray foam insulation and medium density closed cell spray foam insulation.

While the denser closed cell variety does not readily absorb moisture open cell foam can draw it in like a sponge. I have open cell in my house since 2004 and i would not use it in a dogs out house. Others like david butler see his comment below say you need to do it only if a moisture problem develops. Open cell foam weighs 1 2 pound per cubic foot and closed cell weighs 2 lbs per cubic foot.

Open cell spray foam is a perfectly acceptable insulation product to use in attics. The myth that open cell is more economical is bullshit. Open cell should be at least 6 inches in depth and closed cell 4 inches or more of each depending on local code. Both low density open cell and medium density closed cell spray foam can be used in an unvented attic to provide the needed thermal resistance and airtightness.

A foams r value is its resistance to heat flow or in other words how well they insulate. Closed cell foam can also increase the racking strength of attic walls which. This type of spray polyurethane foam can be classified into two different types. Lstiburek says to do it for every spray foam attic.

There is 300 difference there but the cost they give you is about a third difference and open cell foam at 12 inches will not give you the performance of 2 inches of closed. Closed cell foam can be over three times that with a density of 1 75 pounds per cubic foot or more. Closed cell foam is much denser than open cell foam. These two types of spray foam insulation both contain polyurethane that can be potentially dangerous to the environment and to health upon exposure.