Foam insulation does two things that make it the superior insulating material for your home.

First, it expands. This is not an earth shattering feat, unless you compare foam insulation to other insulating materials.

Fibreglass batts have long been the most popular home insulating material. Installers cut and fit batts between wall, ceiling or roof studs, joist and trusses. The problem is, without the ability to expand, fibreglass batts can never cover all the holes and gaps that are common in home construction.

All types of home insulation are designed to stop the transfer of heat. In summer, insulation stops heat from getting into your house; in winter, it stops heat from getting out. The problem with the gaps left by batt insulation is that heat can pass through them freely, like through an open window ? unless you have expanding foam insulation, which expands to seal every gap in your roof or walls.

Many homeowners choose loose cellulose fill insulation because it can be spread to cover the spots where it is most needed. But, it does not expand, and also leaves large gaps through which heat passes.

The second thing that expanding foam insulation does that makes it better than fibreglass batts and cellulose fill, is repel water. Again, not an amazing thing until you learn that both fibreglass and cellulose lose a lot of their insulating ability when they get damp. Even minute amounts of moisture, that you can't see or feel, will reduce the R-value of fibreglass.

Now, here is the bonus reason that expanding spray foam is better insulation. Quite simply, it insulates better. One inch of spray foam insulation has a higher R-value than one inch of either fibreglass batt or cellulose fill. Indeed, even if you put the fibreglass and cellulose together they will still have a lower R-value than expanding spray foam.

Foam Comfort specializes in residential and commercial installations of expanding spray foam insulation.