Spray Foam vs. Traditional Insulation Comparison

Compare spray foam to traditional types of insulation

Icynene spray foam expands 100 times its original size, to fills cracks and crevices stopping air leaks. Traditional types of insulation, on their own, will not accomplish this task.

Comparison Chart

The comparison chart below explains the differences between traditional insulations, like fiberglass and cellulose, and spray foam insulation.

Icynene spray foam stops conditioned air escaping your home. Like a warm windbreaker, spray foam stops cold air from passing through your home.	Fiberglass and cellulose operate more like a woolen sweater, allowing the air to pass through. Air leakage contributes to higher-than-average heating and cooling bills.
Spray foam is continually refined to ensure your home meet the building codes of the day and performs for the life of your home.	Traditional insulation materials may struggle to meet ever-changing building codes in your state. Did you know cellulose is not much more than shredded newspaper?
Spray foam expands up to 100 times its original size to fill every corner of your home’s envelope for thermal insulation and air sealing.	It’s hard to perfectly install fiberglass and cellulose. Any spaces and gaps that aren’t filled can equate to the size of a basketball, with enough air leakage everyday to fill two air blimps!
Certain spray foam types allow water to pass through it should there be any leaks letting you repair any damage easily. Other spray foam can reject bulk water.	Traditional insulation could retain water potentially damaging your home as well as reducing the functionality of the insulation. Water retention can be a contributor to mold growth.
Spray foam stays in place and does not settle, ensuring total continual performance.	Be sure to check your current insulation in case it's time for an upgrade.
Spray foam’s air sealing qualities help reduce the amount of dust, allergens and pollutants entering your home, helping to protect you and your family from allergies.	Traditional insulation can be dusty and could allow allergens and other pollutants to enter your home which can trigger allergies and respiratory issues like asthma.
Many spray foams do not include harmful components that hurt the environment, making them safer to have installed.	Most fiberglass contains formaldehyde, and may emit formaldehyde fumes into your home.
Many spray foams do not provide a source of food for rodents, termites, or other nasty critters. As a home insulation, spray foam also doesn’t make for good nests.	Fiberglass and cellulose can be torn apart by pests, and some even use them for nesting.