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.
Old House Journal Recommended Products
Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Affordable IR Camera
8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape
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.