H.I.S. Spray Foam Questions & Answers

What is H.I.S. Spray Foam Insulation?
The H.I.S. Spray Foam is a complete insulation, air and moisture barrier system that windproofs and seals wall, floor and ceiling cavities against air movement, including spaces around electrical outlets and light fixtures, at baseboards and where walls meet windows and doors. This means that outside air (either hot or cold) cannot seep through walls, causing drafts or cold spots. It also means that humid interior air cannot enter the walls and condense.

Our system combines a material with a Certified Service providing any builder or homeowner with a truly cost effective method of energy efficient construction. The material is isocyanate foam an organic material developed from products of the petrochemical industry similar in composition to many that are already in home use today. The service is a custom installation on the building site by trained and Certified Installers, providing a custom insulation fit into any size cavity.

By virtue of its low permeability to air, its adhesion to other building materials and its flexibility, H.I.S. Spray Foam becomes much more than just insulation. It provides superior air leakage control, moisture control and sound control in addition to insulation, thus becoming a one step insulation, moisture/vapor barrier, wind barrier system. H.I.S. Spray Foam takes the place of fiberglass, polyethylene vapor barrier, tape, and caulking, and eliminates the labor intensive work associated with air-tightness detailing when insulating with conventional insulation products.

Unlike ''loose fill'' insulation methods that do not wind proof building cavities, the air sealing characteristics of H.I.S. Spray Foam provide virtually the same R-Value in the field as it does in the laboratory where the R-Value is measured. Cold air in winter and hot muggy air in summer just cannot pass through isocyanate foam like it can through most other insulating materials.

Advantages of Flexible Foam?
A foam that adheres to building materials, like H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation, must remain flexible in order to maintain its air seal. Buildings expand and contract with changes of season and temperature.

Advantages of H.I.S. Spray Foam Insulation?
As well as simplifying the construction process for the builder, H.I.S. Spray Foam eliminates the major causes of building envelope problems, air-borne moisture movement and entrapment. Heating and cooling costs are typically reduced by 30 to 50%, and smaller, less expensive heating and cooling equipment can be used.

For the homeowner the advantages are:
Compared to other technologies, H.I.S. Spray Foam is a less expensive method of building an energy efficient home.

• A more energy efficient home means that energy costs can usually be reduced between 30 and 50%.
• A more comfortable home, free from drafts and cold spots.
• A quieter home because H.I.S. Spray Foam creates a continuous sound barrier against outside noises.
• A healthier home - when used with a mechanical ventilation system, superior indoor air quality provides your family with a much healthier place in which to live.

What is H.I.S. Spray Foam Insulation Made Of?
H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation is a water-based formula that contains no formaldehyde, CFCs or HCFCs. The insulation has the texture and look of angel food cake and is made up of millions of tiny cells. These cells are filled with air and provide permanent control of air and airborne moisture movement. There are no VOCs detected in H.I.S. Spray Foam after 30 days.

How Long Does it Take to Cure?
The foam is created in seconds after spraying. You can watch it expand within seconds to 120 times its original volume, literally before your eyes. It completely cures within a few minutes.

Does the Foam Absorb Water?
No, it looks like a sponge but it is actually hydrophobic, i.e., it repels water. If placed in water it will float and on removal it will dry rapidly and loose none of its insulating properties.

Does the Foam Entrap Moisture?
H.I.S. Spray Foam Insulation is a breathing foam, and any moisture in the building's concrete or lumber can escape through the insulation as the building dries out, thus eliminating any risk of rot or mildew.

Does the Foam Change Physically Over Time?
No, it is inert. Its physical and insulating properties are constant.

Any Worries Environmentally ?
No, the product is environmentally safe.

Flammability and Fire-Rating?
H.I.S. Spray Foam contributes no fuel in the event of fire and it will not sustain flame upon removal of the flame source. However, like fiberglass, it will be consumed by flame, and gypsum board or other acceptable thermal barriers are required by applicable building codes.

What Does the Smoke Contain?
Smoke from H.I.S. Spray Foam, like that of all organic materials including wood, is a complex of many gasses. The major components in the smoke from H.I.S. Spray Foam Insulation are carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. By the time the material is burnt, the fire will have been raging for at least 15 minutes.

Any Harmful Emissions?
H.I.S. Spray Foam is safe for both you and the environment. H.I.S. Spray Foam is water-based, and does not produce formaldehyde, CFCs or HCFCs. It has been extensively tested in both Canada and the United States and found to have no VOCs detected after 30 days.

The product is in fact recommended for use in homes for many environmentally concerned or sensitive people.

How is H.I.S. Spray Foam Installed?
There are two different ways to install H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation —- spray it onto any open surface and studded wall or inject it into an existing wall cavity when renovating.

With any open surface, H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation can be sprayed on once electrical and plumbing services are in place. It then expands to 120 times its initial volume in seconds, permanently adhering to the surfaces of the surrounding building materials and sealing all gaps.

For retrofitting existing walls, the material is simply injected into small holes drilled into plaster or gypsum walls, or from the outside of the wall.

How Long Has H.I.S. Spray Foam Been in Use?
H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation began in 2001.

Any Electric Wiring Overheating Problems?
No, H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation has been tested and is not a concern to electrical authorities.

Is the Insulation Corrosive to Metals?
No, H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation is non-corrosive. It is neutral, neither acidic or alkaline.

Does the Insulation Support Bacteria or Fungal Growth?
H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation offers no food value; therefore it does not support bacteria or fungal growth. It also does not retain water, making it an unappealing environment for pests.

What About Mice and Termites?
H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation offers no food value, but it would not present a sufficient barrier to their entry if they decided to gnaw through it.

What Are the Acoustic Properties?
As an effective air seal, H.I.S. Spray Foam insulation eliminates the air gaps through which sound travels and is superior in controlling mid-range frequencies, which include the most common sounds, the human voice and stereo music.

Is H.I.S. Spray Foam Urea Formaldehyde?
No.

Does H.I.S. Spray Foam Break Down, Sag or Shrink?
No, H.I.S. Spray Foam Insulation is stable. It does not shrink or sag. The reaction that creates H.I.S. Spray Foam is irreversible and it cannot break down into its constituent parts.

R-Value of H.I.S. Spray Foam?
R-value is derived from a controlled laboratory test of an insulation's resistance to conductive heat flow. H.I.S. Spray Foam R-value is 4 per inch for open cell foam and 7 per inch for closed cell.

At What Stage is The H.I.S. Spray Foam Installed?
The H.I.S. Spray Foam is installed after the windows, doors and roof 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.

How do I Arrange for H.I.S. Spray Foam in My Home?
Talk to your builder early and let him know that you would like to have H.I.S. Spray Foam installed in your home. H.I.S. Spray Foam can provide a builder demonstration DVD and technical support so that H.I.S. Spray Foam is an available option for your home.

Spray foam insulation is all we do and we do it WELL!