Icynene Introduces New Closed-Cell Insulation
Icynene has rolled out a new type of closed-cell spray insulation that uses water as a blowing agent, in contrast to the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used as blowing agents in most closed-cell foams, which have a high global-warming potential.
ProSeal Eco is described as a medium-density foam, weighing 2.2 lb. per cu. ft. when cured, roughly four times as dense as Icynene’s open-cell foam and about equal to other types of closed-cell foam.
Icynene says the insulation has an R-value of 4.9 per in., compared to the R-6 to R-6.5 typical for closed-cell foams. But, the company adds, ProSeal Eco will show less drop in R-value over time than foams made with HFC blowing agents. Icynene’s open-cell foam has an R-value of 3.7 per in.
Using those values, a 2×6 wall filled with conventional closed-cell foam would have an R-value of 35.75 at the middle of the wall, while a wall sprayed with ProSeal Eco would have an R-value of 26.95. A wall filled with Icynene’s open-cell foam would have an R-value of 20.35.
Insulation can serve as a vapor barrier
A key difference between open-cell and closed-cell foam is how well they stop the migration of moisture into wall and roof cavities. Icynene’s closed-cell foam has a permeance of less than 1 at a thickness of 2.4 in., the company says, making it a Class II vapor retarder. Open-cell foams are not considered Class II vapor retarders at any thickness.
The company says the closed-cell insulation will be helpful in exterior-wall cavities, in floor assemblies over damp crawlspaces, and in walls or floors below grade where controlling dampness is important. With a higher R-value per inch than open-cell foam, it also will be useful to builders trying to get high performance in the minimum amount of thickness.
Improved performance comes with a higher price tag. Icynene didn’t offer estimates of how much more expensive ProSeal Eco would be, suggesting instead to use the dealer locator on its website and get a local quote.
A Peabody, Mass., installer said filling a 2×6 wall with Icynene open-cell foam would be about $2 per sq. ft. ProSeal Eco would cost about $3.50 per sq. ft.
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Reliable Crimp Connectors
Affordable IR Camera
Handy Heat Gun
Icynene's new ProSeal Eco is a closed-cell foam with water as the blowing agent, an environmentally friendlier version of conventional closed-cell foams.
View Comments
Please always include a date on the article so the reader knows whether the information in the article is new or stale.
The last sentence on costs — seems to me that the comparison should have been with closed cell foam, not with open cell foam. And I would have expected the pricing to be on a board foot basis for a better comparison of what others are paying / being quoted.