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The Icynene Insulation System
The Ultimate Building Envelope
Icynene is an expanding foam that air-seals and insulates the envelope of the home. Icynene provides unique benefits in the
roof, band joists, subfloors, and walls of the home that other types of insulation can’t physically offer.
Roof
When Icynene is installed on the underside of the roof deck, creating a non-vented attic assembly, the space between the roof and the ceiling is brought inside the thermal envelope. This not only provides your home with a complete air sealed cap, but also allows you to run ductwork throughout the attic without the penalty of the heat loss/gain associated with ductwork in a traditional attic space. This simple step also eliminates the need for air-sealing details at ceiling light fixtures and additional insulation details associated with tray ceilings, dropped soffits, and vaulted ceilings.
The key to a non-vented attic assembly is that the insulation cannot allow air to move through it. Since batts and cellulose are made of fibers, which allow air to move through them, they cannot be used to create a non-vented attic assembly.
Band Joists
The band joist, or space between multiple levels of a house, is a sensitive area due to the intersections of multiple pieces of wood, which expand and contract as the house ages. The band area often connects the house to attic spaces, causing extreme energy waste and comfort issues. Because Icynene air-seals and insulates, all of these cracks, gaps, and penetrations will be sealed, ensuring maximum performance.
Other insulations could be installed here, but would not provide the air sealing capabilities of Icynene. There is nothing to guarantee that these other types of insulation will remain in place. Since Icynene sticks to the wood, it will always be there, performing at full capacity.
Subfloors
In order for a subfloor to be truly insulated, the insulation must be touching the bottom of the floor everywhere. If the insulation sags, or is only touching the bottom of the floor in some locations, it is not doing its job. Since gravity works in this part of the world, we use Icynene on subfloors for its adhesive qualities. Once this foam is sprayed against the bottom of the floor, it will always be there, performing at full capacity. This is especially critical when a floor is suspended over outside air. This is where you have to decide how important warm floors are to you in the wintertime.
Since we commonly see garages tucked under houses, and we don’t like the idea of the garage air (and toxins like carbon monoxide) getting into the home, we benefit from the air-sealing qualities of Icynene when used over and around the garage.
Walls
While other forms of insulation may have a reduced initial cost, there are tradeoffs to consider before making your final selection. Because fibrous insulations allow air to circulate through them, the likelihood of condensation occurring within the wall cavities is something to consider.
When Icynene is installed, you don’t have to worry about moisture-laden air flowing through the insulation and finding a cold surface on which to condense. For a relatively small increase in initial cost, you can rest well knowing your envelope is optimized for maximum durability, air quality, comfort, and efficiency.
Icynene Info:
- Watch a video of installation!
Insulation Types:
- The Icynene Insulation System
Learn more about insulation and home performance:
- Getting Insulation to Work
