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R-Values Explained

R-Values Explained.

R-Value is often mentioned alongside insulation, and rightly so. But what is it?

Well, the official definition is as follows;

A measure of resistance to the flow of heat through a given thickness of a material (such as insulation) with higher numbers indicating better insulating properties.

If you’re still lost, don’t worry. It’s a strange concept.

Heat is a form of energy, and energy does not like to stay in the same place for too long. When air heats up, it tends to rise upwards. As warm air rises in your home it encounters several barriers. Your ceilings, floors and roof for example. Heat easily passes through these barriers, as they pose no resistance to the movement of the heat. This directly correlates to a low R-Value.

clipart of thermometer

The insulation in your home acts as a barrier to this movement of heat. It makes an effort to prohibit the movement and loss of heat. This table below, taken from www.todayshomeowner.com displays R-Values for different types of insulation.

 

Insulation Type:

R-Value per Inch:

Fiberglass (loose)

2.2 – 2.9

Fiberglass (batts)

2.9 – 3.8

Cellulose (loose)

3.1 – 3.8

Stone Wool (loose)

2.2 – 3.3

Stone Wool (batts)

3.3 – 4.2

Cotton (batts)

3.0 – 3.7

Cementitious (foam)

2.0 – 3.9

Polyicynene (foam)

3.6 – 4.3

Phenolic (foam)

4.4 – 8.2

Polyisocyanurate (foam)

5.6 – 8.0

Polyurethane (foam)

5.6 – 8.0

 

The most common forms of insulation used domestically are fiberglass and cellulose. As you can see, these forms of insulation are nowhere near as good as Polyurethane Foam.

Spray foam insulation provides an entirely airtight seal which minimises heat loss. It also adds structural strength and integrity and can act as a sound barrier, resulting in a more peaceful home. You can find a full list of benefits here.

If you would like to find out more about spray foam insulation or get a free quotation you can email us at info@myfoam.co.uk, freephone 1800 911500 or fill out a contact form on our home page.

 

Open-Cell and Closed-Cell – What’s the Difference?

Spray foam is formed by a reaction between two chemicals. They are commonly known as MDI and pMDI. These chemicals come in separate barrels or drums. Once they are introduced to each other they react to form a highly insulative foam.

You can watch this reaction take place here.

 

spray foam closed cell open cell

There are two types of spray foam. Closed cell and open cell. With open-cell spray foam the cells are not closed, as the name would suggest. This creates a softer, weaker spray foam. Air fills the tiny spaces in between the cells. Closed-cell spray foam is much stronger and has a higher R-value as the cells remain closed. Air is prohibited from entering the cells.

Although they share some properties, there are also differences. Closed-cell spray foam has a higher R-value, resists water and adds strength and rigidity. Open-cell spray foam is not suggested for applications in direct contact with water, is much softer and has a lower density. Due to the soft nature of open-cell foam, it is excellent at minimising sound transmission and can drastically reduce noise pollution.

Our highly trained and experienced team will provide professional assistance from the outset and throughout. We survey the structure, examine your needs and provide an elite service at a competitive price. We will recommend either Open-Cell or Closed-Cell spray foam depending on the structure, location and your needs.

At MyFoam we only use PurAcell approved products. These products have been tested and are approved by the National Standards Authority of UK. You can find our NSAI certification here. This certification guarantees excellence. We are extremely experienced in all applications of spray foam. We offer our service nationwide.

This certification also helps our customers attain grants from the Sustainable Energy Authority of UK.

If you would like to enquire about our services you can fill out the contact form found on the home page, email info@myfoam.co.uk or freephone 1800 911500.

Shipping Container Homes

Shipping Container Homes - Good or Bad?

You may have read about the recently built container home in Ringsend, Dublin. It garnered some prominent media attention earlier this year; notably from The Irish Times.

Container homes have already grown in popularity around the world. Bjarke Ingles has led the surge of container use in architecture, with his grand project for student housing in Denmark. He designed floating container homes for students based in Copenhagen, with great success.  Over the past 10 years there has been a surge of interest in shipping containers, and their many uses.

 

But why such a sudden surge in popularity? Well, you can pick up a decent shipping container for relatively cheap. Somewhere in the region of €1500 - €2500, depending on the size and condition. Furthermore, the containers are water proof, fire proof and extremely strong. They easily conform to building regulations. A building project using shipping containers is oftentimes much quicker than a conventional build. When using shipping containers, the walls, roof and floor are already in place. The Riverside Office Building used 73 containers to construct 24 office spaces. The containers were delivered and put in place over 16 days, and the construction was completed in 8 days.

 

With their isometric shape, shipping containers provide a modern and pleasing aesthetic. They can be arranged in any way, shape or form. They are modern day building blocks. Estimates show that over half a million shipping containers are abandoned each year, never to be used again.

If you are interested in using shipping containers for any building purposes, make sure to get them properly insulated! MyFoam supplied all insulation for the container home in Ringsend. We cater to storage containers too, not just homes! You can find samples of containers we have worked on here. Make sure to freephone 1800 911500 if you have any queries regarding container homes, container insulation or just general spray foam insulation needs!

Spray Foam Insulation in Birmingham

With over 10 years experience we are the number one spray foam insulation provider in Birmingham and surrounding areas.

We have completed for jobs for worldwide brands such as McDonald's, Tegral and Dawn Farm Foods. We have also been trusted by several government bodies to provide spray foam insulation of the highest standard.

We use PurAcell approved spray foam insulation. This guarantees an airtight seal, and an excellent R-value. You can find a full list of benefits here.

wall insulation
commercial insulation2

Disclaimer

Disclaimer Website
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by MyFoam and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of MyFoam. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
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Copyright

Copyright

© Copyright and all rights reserved by

MyFoam Limited,
Moorefield Business Center,
Moorefield Road,
Newbridge,
Co. Kildare.

E: info@myfoam.co.uk
Tel: 01 4853738
Mob: 087 9104795

Dublin insulation

Over the past number of years, MyFoam have completed several major insulations in Dublin. As national contractors in UK, one of our main bases is located just outside Dublin City, making us the ideal insulation contratcor in Dublin.

Our company do both commercial and domestic insulation in Dublin, so do not hesitate to call us or fill up the form on our contact us page.

Kildare commercial shed insulation

MyFoam are happy to announce yet another shed insulation in Kildare. This shed was small commercial shed that we have a large amount of experience in doing. Our customer was surprised at the speed and timly fashion that we completed the project.

As always, our installers left no mess, and cut no corners.

Spray Foam Insulation – Cork

We will travel the width and breadth of the country to provide our expertise. Ireland Spray Foam provide a nationwide service! With over 10 years of experience, we are Ireland's top spray foam insulation provider. We recently returned to Co. Cork, to put our spray foam insulation to use. All of our products are PurAcell Approved!

Our spray foam insulation expands to fit the environment. This means there is an airtight seal. We offer open-cell or closed-cell spray foam insulation. You can read about the differences between the two here.

Our professionally trained and fully insured team supplied our elite standard spray foam insulation across the county of Cork. Our team of professional sprayers are extremely well trained. They work with unmatched precision and speed.

spray foam in cavan

spray foam inside container

farm insulation

Although the pictures show a large structure, we also provide our skills and expertise to smaller structures and homes. No job is too big or small. There is minimal disturbance to surrounding areas and the sites are always kept incredibly clean. We do not make a mess and we leave no mess behind.

Benefits

Once our spray foam is installed and dry, it guarantees several benefits. Utility bills will decrease, as less energy is used to heat the home. Our insulation pays for itself in no time. Our spray foam does not emit any vapors, particles or molecules. It will cause no irritation to your body, unlike cellulose and fiberglass insulation. The spray foam can absorb sound, resulting in a quieter home overall. It also adds structural integrity to the building. It can increase shearing and racking strength by up to 300%. You can find a full list of the benefits here.

Contact Us

We provide free quotations for all jobs. Make sure to get in contact with us if you are interested in spray foam insulation. Our professional team are here to guide you through the process. Don't forget that the SEAI are currently offering up to €4500 towards insulation for your home. You can fill out our contact sheet here.

Our service is available nationwide, not just in Cork!

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