Commercial Building Spray Foam Insulation

What is considered a commercial building?
While building codes vary from municipality to municipality, generally speaking anything over three family dwellings can be considered a commercial building. Even though residential and commercial construction have different insulation requirements, the idea is exactly the same: safe and comfortable to occupy through proper insulation and air sealing, all while being economical. The higher the R-value, the less outside air can penetrate the insulation. This is a fact and doesn’t change no matter the construction method.

Sadly, the code doesn’t really talk about the air sealing. At www.sprayfoamkings.com we know all too well what this will entail, and rightfully so we take extra care to air seal all of the projects we work on. The truth is spray foam insulation thankfully behaves as an air sealant as well as an insulation all in one.

There are various types of commercial buildings. From schools to churches and much more, they come in all sizes and have different styles of construction. Generally, we will have a look at masonry, wood and metal construction, as well as sound dampening as another characteristic of the spray foam insulation.

Commercial Spray Foam Contractors

METAL CONSTRUCTION COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
It is a very popular construction material in commercial buildings, structural stele or light gauge from, metal has some challenges when it comes to insulation due to its conductivity. If there isn’t an exterior insulation that is seamless layer, the metal conducts cold air into the structure in massive amounts. This of course will affect the R-value of the wall negatively, as the true r-value is now compromised no matter what the value of the insulation in the cavity is. And it doesn’t stop there, the cold metal can create a freezing and condensing effect of moisture that is in the air, either on drywall or the inside of the wall. Metal building construction should never have a penetrable insulation used like fibreglass, as this condensation can happen and wreak havoc. Vinyl covered insulation will allow for moist air to come in contact with the metal and it will freeze as it condenses in frigid temperatures. This is where the ideal characteristics of closed cell spray foam insulation will bring both vapour barrier and insulating effects to the table making it an ideal choice for this type of application.

WOOD CONSTRUCTION COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
It’s the size by which commercial wooden framed buildings can separate themselves from a residential building. There is little difference when considering insulation and air sealing in the buildings, but the potential hazard is much greater if there is a system failure, for example if a pipe happens to burst due to drafts in a floor it would be significantly worse if it took place on an upper level of a nursing home.

MASONRY CONSTRUCTED COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
To provide any sort of comfort, all concrete, block and brick walls must be insulated. When in new construction, by far the best at this task is spray foam insulation, and it would have to be installed either behind the drywall, or on the outside of the structural wall. In any case, there should be an unobstructed layer of foam , so it is vital to leave space between the masonry and the framing for the spray foam. It is also possible to fill cavities for a retrofit scenario.

What Is Closed Cell Foam Insulation?

They type of foam insulation you should use.
Good on you for choosing to take your homes efficiency to the next lever and deciding to go with spray foam insulation. As you embark on researching this hot topic, you’ll find out that there are generally two types of spray foam that you can go with: closed cell and open cell. Which you decide to go with will depend on what your situation is and more specifically what area you want sprayed and what your budget is like. Read further to get a better understanding on the difference between them.

Learn about closed and open cell spray foam.

OPEN CELL
The cheapest of the two spray foam insulations on the market, open celled spray foam gets its “open” from the cells that created the matrix of the foam. After the foam is sprayed and it expands, these open cells then trap air after it hardens and it then behaves as an insulator.

Open cell spray foam is more flexible than closed cell and this is because it is much softer than the closed cell. It’s a superior product for areas that require less insulations, and for surfaces that experience frequent temperature fluctuations. This type of foam insulation averages at around R 3.5 per inch as an insulating value.

It’s good to note that due to the open nature of the foam cells, this foam is penetrable by water, though it does create and air seal. Because of this characteristic, it is good to make a note that this foam solution shouldn’t be used as a vapour barrier.

CLOSED CELL
Open cell and closed cell insulation share the similarity that they are both consisted of cells that are densely packed together. The difference is that closed cell foam is exactly that “closed” and has gas trapped in these cells. It is this trapped gabs that behaves like an insulator. This has a higher R value than air, and it raises the this foams R-value to an R-7 per inch.

Also, closed cell spray foam is more rigid and it doesn’t allow for the passage of moisture which allows for it to double as a vapour barrier. It can also be used as a structural reinforcer. It is ideal for areas that need extra insulation value, as well as protections for moisture. Roofs, exterior walls and attics are all perfect places to use this particular foam.

Both of these insulations have revolutionized the insulation world. You can purchase DIY kits, however it is recommended to go with a professional reputable company, as it does require a finesse to apply it properly.

Contact Spray Foam Kings for a free no obligation estimate and cost for spray foam insulation, as well as the advantages of spray foaming any property in the greater Toronto Area.

Avoid Ice Dams Forming On Your Roof With Spray Foam Insulation

How the ice dams formulate
When you live in a climate that has sub-zero temperatures during the winter months, then your homes insulation is something that isn’t taken lightly. Truthfully though, a home that is properly insulated isn’t only an indicator of a warmer home, but has benefits that reach further into other areas of a safety and also economic.

As kids, you may have been in awe of homes that had large and long icicles that were hanging off of the eaves drops. Sadly, these spectacles of nature are more often than not a result of a dangerous problem looming inside the roof of the home. There are solutions to having these ice dams from forming. What is the solution to this problem? Well lets have a look at the complete picture to get an idea.

Learn how to avoid ice dams building up on your roof in Toronto.

If an attic isn’t sufficiently insulated, or improperly, warm conditioned air seeps through gaps that are between the insulation of the homes ceiling and the attics floor. In effect, the heated air can melt the snow that has rested on the roof of the home. Naturally, this will create a runoff from the roof. When this runoff ultimately reaches the colder eavesdrop, it can freeze up again and hence lead to an ice dam development. This process repeats itself until a noticeable buildup occurs and and ice dam then backs up further up the roof, this can sometimes devastate shingles and peel them off the roof. At this point the roof is now susceptible as it’s shingle membrane has been compromised, so all of the melting of the snow and its water runoff have nowhere to go but into your home.

The ice dam consequences
There are a few problems that can come to pass as a consequence of the formulation of ice dams on your roof, of which many can be serious:

-ice buildup can cause damage to eavestrough
-water can penetrate your roof and damage walls and ceilings
-if you have traditional insulation, it can get wet and lose it’s R-value
-mildew and mold can develop dangerously on moist insulation
-shingles can dislodge
-icicles can injure someone if they fall
-ice buildup can lead to shingle damage

The telltale sign that your roof may be in jeopardy are the formation of icicles on your eaves. Check out our flat roof insulation service for homes in the GTA here:

Temporary fixes for ice dams
If old man winter has already rolled in and you just begin to notice that you are at risk of your roof developing ice dams, there are several solutions you can opt for to help with the management of future problems arising. Though none of these are permanent solutions, they can help you get through the winter at hand whilst minimizing damage.

Avoid climbing up a ladder to try and chip at the ice with an ice pic or shovel, this is extremely dangerous as the conditions can be slippery, it can also potentially damage the shingles and the eaves on your roof.

A good temporary solution would be to use calcium chloride to help melt away the ice that is in the passageway, this way the water has a place to drain away into and not keep building on existing ice. An efficient way of distributing this is to take an old article of clothing and fill a sleeve with the calcium chloride, place it on the roof vertically. What this does is it creates a trough where any melting ice can safely pass through.

Furthermore, another temporary fix if there is a leak, is to bring in a high-powered cooling fan into the attic and freeze the area where this water I leaking into. What this does is it keeps the water in ice state limiting water damage until spring comes around and a more permanent solution is available.

Permanent solutions for ice dams
Truthfully the above mentioned temporary solutions are only short term and they will only ease the damage done for that season. Some people may have all the answers , but there’s only one way that you can minimize the formation of ice dams permanently, and that’s by creating the same temperature on your roof as the outdoor air.

The proper way to achieve this is to insulate your attic properly, and of course to get the best seal to avoid any leaks that would melt the snow and create this potential hazard. How is the best way to achieve this air seal? With spray foam insulation.

A major difference from spray foam insulation and traditional insulation, is that air leaks are difficult to avoid with traditional as it is difficult to get a solid seal in hard to reach nooks. Spray foam insulation on the other hand has an expanding nature that happens when it is applied and it fills all the nooks and crannies that would otherwise be impossible to seal. This creates the most airtight seal in the business.

The heat generated by your homes heating system will stay where it is meant to when you use spray foam insulation, and you will drastically minimize the risk of an ice dam forming as an attic sealed and insulated with spray foam has little to no air loss. This will ultimately leaving you to enjoy your homes comfort while not having to worry about any damage occurring on your roof which can lead to other hazards.

Cost Per Square Foot Of Spray Foam In Toronto

Comfort and efficiency in your home,  foam insulation can keep you snug all year round while reducing your energy costs in the greater Toronto area. We have a team of technical experts to support your business needs with marketing, sales support, training, and project estimating. At Spray Foam Kings we distribute quality products, deliver on time and promise to be a reliable partner in the   industry. Just tell us the product you want and we’ll tell you the spray foam insulation cost per square foot.

These insulation products form a better seal in your attic, walls, and basement, increasing the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems by preventing any leakage. Air leaks and poor insulation can cause your home to lose an amazing amount of hot or cold air. Energy loss can occur through walls, roofs, doors, windows and floors. Poor insulation can increase energy costs, adds to your home’s carbon footprint and reduces the efficiency of heating, ventilation and air conditioning. This type of insulation is the most effective insulation type to reduce heat transfer. There are a variety of different services offered in this industry and it is hard to just estimate a price without knowing the actual job size.

It also saves energy and lowers electric cost as well as  increases comfort. If it saves you energy, it is not only helping to keep the environment clean but also helping to keep money in your pocket. This new foam technology is 50% more efficient than other brands! The more efficient, the more energy is saved. It keeps out the drafts and makes living in your home more enjoyable for you and your family. It also keeps out allergens (such as dust) and pollutants out of your home. It also acts as a sound reducer from outside noise.

Lower cost per square foot in Toronto

One other benefit is that it also adds strength to your home. It is permanent and maintains its structural integrity. Spray Injection Foam is a premier way to insulate an existing wall. With our injection system, we are able to increase the insulation value of an existing wall even when there is insulation already present. Whether the wall is concrete, wood/drywall, we can insulate them all. Spray foam is great for cracks and crevices that can’t be sealed with traditional insulation. The foam can seal all spaces inside your structure, eliminating drafts. It doesn’t absorb water, either – so you don’t have to worry about mold.

Most insulation experts would agree that it is by far  the best-performing, and most energy-efficient insulation available. While its upfront cost is more than other insulation options, the foam quickly pays for itself by drastically reducing energy bill costs. Call us and we will give you the and estimate on the spray foam insulation cost per square foot in Toronto Ontario and the GTA for the specific requirements you are looking for. Also check our video below to see us at work and what we can offer.

There are a couple factors that may affect the actual price per square foot. For example which type do you need to use? Open cell or closed cell? Open cell foams are typically cheaper than closed cell and they perform just as well in terms of air sealing and comfort. Open cell will run you from $0.50-$0.75 per board foot.

A board foot is 12×12 inches and 1 in thick. Say the wall you are trying to insulate is 50 feet long and

10 feet high. Your area is 500 sq ft, so if you need 5 inches of foam to reach the  insulation levels you’re trying to achieve, the board footage of the wall is 2500 board feet. So at $0.50 per board foot, this job would cost you approximately $1250.00. Of course you can calculate closed cell using this same method.

Another example of the cost of spray foam insulation, would be if you are looking to have your walls sprayed and they are the older 2×4 or 2×6(newer). Seeing that most walls or joist areas goal is an R-value of 20, it would make it easier to give a more accurate quote. When working with a 2×4 wall, 3.5 inches is what is the norm, which means 2lb of closed cell foam is what most companies would recommend at 3 inches which would achieve an R-value of R18.

Call Spray foam Kings  today for a free over the phone estimate on our cost per square foot 647-846-7592.

Spray Foam Kings
31 Eaton Ave #2,
Toronto, ON M4J 2Z4
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