Open Cell Foam Vs Closed Cell Foam In Attic

With the open cell below right vs.

Open cell foam vs closed cell foam in attic.

To support traffic and loads better. Closed cell foam is much denser than open cell foam. Closed cell foam can be over three times that with a density of 1 75 pounds per cubic foot or more. Id go with closed cell.

Most open cell foam has a density of about 5 pounds per cubic foot. Closed cell foam has a higher r value than open cell foam usually about 6 0 per inch. The higher the density the foam the heavier or stronger it becomes. Closed cell foam for insulation applications range in density from 1 7 lb cu.

Open cell foam has an r value of about 3 5 to 3 7 per inch while closed cell foam has an r value of about 6 per inch. Open cell foam has tiny cells which are not completely closed. Open cell foams typically weigh in at 0 4 to 0 5 lb cu. Chemical manufacturer s claim if a roof leaks water will migrate through the foam structure therefore not trapping the water.

Closed cell foam can also increase the racking strength of attic walls which. Closed cell foam has cells which are sealed off so air doesn t get inside the structure at all. Open cell is more susceptible to mold and mildew but its expanding so it can hermetically seal an area. Seems like you wouldnt want to seal something susceptible to mold growth but maybe thats just me.

Let s not confuse open cell vs closed cell foam. Closed cell is denser better insulating. Roofing applications typically use a 2 8 to 3 0 lb cu. Closed cell below left issue there are two major factors to understand and consider.

They are broken and air fills all of the open space inside the material. The first is the nature of the foam. It is either open cell foam where the tiny cells of the foam are not completely closed.