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- What is the R-value (insulation value) of GreenBean's product?
GreenBean has a few different foam products of different densities that we use on different project types. We do not believe that there is only product solution for every project. Although foam has the highest R-value per inch of any insulation, R-value (because of the way they test this value) is NOT a good measure of an insulation product's true performance. Our main open-cell foam product has an R-Value of 5.0 per inch (other companies are only 3.5) & our main closed cell product has an R-value of 7 per inch. Our cellulose product has an R-value of 3.5 per inch. Spray foam is the only insulation product that offers a true R-value because it is the only product that creates an air seal. Don't get caught up in the Myth of R-values. R-value means nothing without a true thermal air seal. Only spray-foam achieves this.
- How does GreenBean Foam Insulation increase the structural integrity of my home & make it more resistant to hurricane force winds?
Our denser foam products offer additional structural support to both walls & the roofs of any property. For roofs, our foam seals the soffit openings where hurricane force winds can sometimes get in & lift a roof off the top of a house. Walls become thicker & stronger with foam installed.
- How does GreenBean Insulation
control indoor air quality and comfort?
GreenBean Insulation provides a sealed thermal envelope.
When applied, the insulation conforms and fills each cavity, crevasse
and void. GreenBean Insulation contributes to the overall
comfort and health of the occupants of a home because there are
no fibers or "clumps" of loose matter. By reducing
air infiltration, the insulation also reduces dust and harmful,
household mold and mildew. GreenBean Insulation provides
a healthier, draft-free, indoor environment with no harmful emissions
that can cause allergic reactions.
- How does GreenBean Insulation
control moisture movement and condensation?
Most damaging moisture within a building envelope cavity is the
result of warm moist outside air being exchanged with the cooler
dryer air inside an insulation cavity. As the moisture in the air
condenses, it forms dew within the insulation. Because foam insulation
is an air seal, this moisture movement and condensation does not
occur. It is ideal for use in climates where buildings are both
heated and air conditioned because the situation is reversed in
summer with moisture forming on the back of the interior vapor
retarder.
- What is the flame spread and
smoke development of BioBased Insulation that Greenbean uses?
The foam has a flame spread of <20, and its smoke
development is <400. For those reasons,our foam is a
Class 1-rated material against fires. This is the highest rating
an insulation product can receive for residential and commercial
applications. See a fire test: this is very impressive.
- How is the insulation installed?
The Spray Foam insulation is sprayed into place onto a studded
wall by a certified GreenBean professional. As with any open surface,
the foam insulation can be sprayed once electrical and plumbing
services are in place. It then expands to up to 100 times its initial
volume in seconds, permanently adhering to the surfaces of the
surrounding building materials and sealing all gaps.
- Does foam insulation cause
any electrical wiring overheat problems or any problems to any metal surfaces?
No, foam insulation has been thoroughly tested and is not a concern
to electrical authorities nor is it corrosive to any metals whatsoever.
- I hear different opinions on open-cell vs. closed-cell foam. Which one is better & which one should I use for my property?
The answer to this question is: "It depends." First of all, GreenBean sprays both types of foam so we don't have an axe to grind unlike other foam guys. The answer to this question depends on a few factors: Where & what are we spraying? Roof, Attic, Wall, Subflooring, Metal, Wood, Brick, etc.. Do you have a moisture barrier or house wrap (Tyvec) on your home? Are you trying to flood proof your home or do you just want the best insulation value for your money? GreenBean owner Kurt Buchert will usually come to your property or look at your plans to make recommendations on the best application for your situation. Both types of foams are very effective for their intended purposes.
- Can spray foam insulation be applied under my house below my wood floors if I have a raised home like so many on the Gulf Coast?
YES!! This is one of our favorite applications. In the winter time, those of us with raised houses suffer from cold, moist wood floors & in the summertime we lose much of our conditioned air through cracks in our floors. Applying our product under the wood floors or under subflooring not only creates an air seal & insulates the floor, but it also seals all the cracks, crevasses, & holes where rodents, roaches, & spiders enter our homes. The foam also will protect your wood floors from soil moisture rising from the ground to slowly rot your wood. Installing fiberglass batts under your floors can be a huge mistake because they tend to drop a few inches creating an air gap where moisture can penetrate & wreak havoc on your wood, not to mention creating a more pleasant environment for termites & rodents.
- Does GreenBean Insulation support
bacteria of fungal growth?
Our product offers no food value. It is an inert substance;
therefore it does not support bacteria or fungal growth whatsoever.
- How long does GreenBean’s
Foam Insulation last?
Indefinitely. As an inert, long lasting polymer, any residential
or commercial structure is a great place for our insulation.
- How does spray-foam compare with fiberglass batts ? 1. Fiberglass batts will not stop air leakage (they might filter out some dirt and dust). Spray-foam will stop air leakage . . . dead.
Spray-foam is also mold & moisture resistant unlike fiberglass.
2. Fiberglass batts have an R-value of about 3.5 per inch but this is not a true R-value since there is no air seal. Our spray-foam has a true R-value of 5-7 per inch depending on the density foam we use. Our cellulose product also seals gaps & has an R-value of 3.5 per inch.
3. Fiberglass batts can sag & shrink over time; this leaves sections uninsulated and you’ll feel warmer or colder because of it. Spray-foam completely adheres to wood and sheathing; the result is a permanent barrier to heat loss and air entry.
4. Spray-foam will add strength and rigidity to your house. Fiberglass batts will not.
- Does the insulation contain
formaldehyde?
No.
- Does the foam create a problem with rodents and insects
eating the insulation?
No. GreenBean Insulation is an inert substance so it is pest
resistant. There is absolutely no food value to the insulation.
- At what stage is the insulation
installed?
For new construction or renovations, the insulation is installed
after the windows, doors and roof systems are in, the electrical,
framing and plumbing inspections are complete, and after any other
electrical or mechanical system located behind the drywall is
installed. It is the last installation to take place before drywall
installation. On existing homes, the spray foam insulation can
be installed to the attic, roof line, and sub-flooring to seal
in the house. It is more cost effective to leave existing interior
wall insulation in place.
- Can homeowners install GreenBean
Insulation themselves?
No, it takes a certified, trained professional to install GreenBean Foam Insulation because of the sophisticated
equipment & experience needed to install it properly. GreenBean thoroughly trains
all its installers. Some members of our team have upwards of 22 yrs of experience in the spray-foam business. There are small do-it-yourself kits that one can use for 200sqft or less but the product cost alone is usually 30% higher than it would cost for GreenBean to install the product for you.
- What happens if the owners
want to add an electrical outlet once the foam insulation is installed?
An outlet can be easily added since the spray foam insulation drills
more easily than wood.
- What kind of Building Professionals endorse foam insulation?
Everyone from cutting edge building scientists, engineers, insulation experts, Green Home specialists, mold experts, etc recommend the use of spray foam in new contruction or renovations.
- I have heard in the past that houses should breathe & have attic ventilation. Wouldn't spray-foam insulation seal my house too tight?
Your house DOES need to be ventilated, BUT most home engineers & building scientists (as well as the US Dept of Energy) advise that you seal the structure as tight as possible & provide necessary ventilation through your air conditioning & heating system. Many systems employ an "air exchanger" which pre-conditions incoming outside air to control humidity & energy efficiency. This type of design along with spray-foam creates a true Thermal Envelope.
- How long has this type of insulation
been around?
Spray foam has been around for more than 30 years for commercial & industrial use. It has gotten very popular for residential use in the last 10 years, especially in hurricane prone areas.
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