How The Seasons Affect Your Insulation 

Importsant Information On How Spray Foam Can Help Protect Against Seasonal Changes 

Hurricane Season

In 2007, a study at the University of Florida demonstrated how closed-cell spray-applied polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation material protected the roof from wind uplift and reduced the likelihood of water infiltration during a storm event.  

 The study had two significant findings:  

 1. Using a 3-inch continuous blanket (either single surface or fillets between joists/rafters) of closed-cell SPF insulation on the underside of the roof increased the roof panel’s wind uplift capacity by 2.6 times over mechanical fasteners and nailing patterns.
 2. Closed-cell SPF added anywhere from 75 to 300 percent more racking strength. The increase varied based on the substrate materials used (gypsum, OSB, plywood, vinyl siding, or polyiso board).  

  In plain terms, insulating with spray foam increases the chance that your roof will stay intact and that substrate materials will hold their shape & structure against massive wind loads.  

 While hurricane-force winds and uplift are significant issues during storms, the story is often marked by widespread flooding and water damage. Thankfully, SPF wall insulation outperforms every other insulation option for water and mold resistance. SPF wall insulation is so superior that the Federal Emergency Management Agency lists closed-cell SPF’s merits in its “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction.” 

FEMA notes the increased speed of installation for spray foam, the rigid moisture barrier, and spray foam insulation’s “exceptional flood resistance.”

Closed-cell spray foam insulation performs as an air and bulk water barrier and a moisture vapor retarder.   

Catastrophic weather in coastal areas continue to be a concern and while no building product is complete protection from the damages of a hurricane, spray foam can be your best bet in protecting your property from the elements.