Difference between Closed and Open-Cell Spray Foam

Knowing the Difference between Closed and Open-Cell Spray Foam

Understanding the difference between open cell and closed cell foam insulation is important in determining what’s best for your next insulation project.

Polyurethane spray foam is:

• Airtight.
• Very dense.
• Has the ability to expand up to 30 times its liquid volume.
• The cells in Closed-Cell spray foam are condensed together, unbroken, and filled with an inactive gas for a high insulation value.
• When finished installing, Closed-Cell spray foam has an air barrier of a 2 inch thickness.
• Closed-Cell spray foam advantages include strength, and a high resistance to leakage of air or water vapor.

Closed-Cell is best used for insulating:

• Walls, Floors, Unvented Crawl Spaces, Concrete Slabs, Cold Storage, Unvented Attics, Vented Attics, Vented Crawl Spaces, Ducts, Freezers, Ceilings, Piping, Foundations, Tanks, and Coolers.

Open-Cell Polyurethane spray foam is:

• Airtight.
• Less dense because each of its cells are broken allowing those cells to fill with air.
• Has the ability to expand up to 150 times its liquid volume.
• High expansion volume allows Open-Cell spray foam to fill every nook and cranny in the insulated space.
• When finished installing, Open-Cell spray foam gives home owners air barriers of 5 inches in thickness.
• Less expensive than Closed-Cell spray foam.

Open-Cell is best used for Insulating:

• Walls, Floors, Unvented Crawl Spaces, Unvented Attics, Vented Attics, Vented Crawl Spaces, and Ceilings.

Although both great insulators, Closed-Cell spray foam is used to insulate a wider range of applications and is a more effective insulation product. However when price becomes a factor Open-Cell spray foam wins that battle. Closed-Cell spray foam is significantly more expensive than Open-Cell.