FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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HOW ENERGY EFFICIENT IS SPRAY FOAM INSULATION?

A: Polyurethane foams have one of the highest insulating R-values per inch of all the available products on the market today. Typical R values range from R-3.5 to R-6.0 per inch. Spray foam also expands to fill energy-wasting gaps around windows, doors and other penetrations where air escapes.

Click here for a simple infographic from greenbuildingsolutions.org.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPEN-CELL AND CLOSED-CELL FOAM INSULATION?

A: Open-cell, low-density (a.k.a. “half-pound foam”) and closed-cell, medium-density (a.k.a. “two-pound foam”) both provide excellent insulation and air sealing. Open-cell spray foam gets its insulating power from air-filled cells that reducing the ability of the material to conduct heat. It has an R-value that ranges from R-3.6 to R-4.5 per inch, and is soft and semi-flexible.

Closed-cell spray foam features smaller cells that trap an insulating gas, called a blowing agent. This blowing agent has a lower thermal conductivity than still air, providing an R-value that ranges from R-5.8 to R-7.4 per inch. It is a great choice in applications where clearance is limited. The foam is rigid and hard, and is the only spray foam that can be used for below-grade concrete walls, in contact with the ground, or on the exterior side of the building envelope.

WHAT IS SPRAY FOAM MADE OF?

A: Two liquids are combined to form spray foam. Professionals generally refer to one container as the “A” side and the other container as the “B” side. The “A” side is commonly comprised of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI). The “B” side is typically a blend of polyol resinse, catalysts, blowing agent, flame retardant and surfactant.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available for all chemicals used. Ask us and we can discuss these with you.

DOES SPRAY FOAM EMIT ODORS?

A: When properly installed, spray foam cures to an inert state and does not produce fumes. Any airborne chemicals released during and just after spray foam application quickly degrade into non-hazardous compounds in a few hours when combined with moisture in the air. Some materials may give off an odor for several days after application, but this can easily be dissipated with supplementary ventilation for a few days.

CAN SPRAY FOAM PREVENT MOLD GROWTH?

A: Because spray foam is a true air barrier when installed properly, it prevents warm, moist air from coming into contact with cold surfaces, eliminating many of the conditions that cause toxic mold and mildew. When not properly designed or installed, however, moisture can move through the building envelope and condense on cold surfaces. At certain temperatures AND with the presence of organic food sources (paper, wood, bacterial dust, etc.), this moisture can provide the conditions necessary to promote the growth of mold and mildew. While spray foam itself is NOT a source of food for mold, mildew and bacteria, any organic substances that collect on the surface of the foam can result in mold and mildew. Proper air sealing, the use of vapor retarders and sufficient levels of insulation are all key to proper building envelope design.

Keep in mind that closed-cell foam is resistant to water absorption, and is approved by FEMA as a flood-resistant material. Open-cell foam, on the other hand, can absorb and retain liquid. So it’s important to consider the different properties for each foam type for each specific application.

IS INSTALLED SPRAY FOAM FLAMMABLE?

A: Like most materials used in your home, spray foam insulation will burn. It must be separated from living spaces by a thermal barrier, such as drywall. Feel free to ask us about building codes in your area.

IS SPRAY FOAM MORE EXPENSIVE THAN REGULAR INSULATION?

A: In general terms, the installed cost of spray foam insulation is higher than that of fiberglass or cellulose insulations. However, spray foam provides many extra benefits, including air barrier and vapor control, as well as improved structural performance. We’ll be happy to provide you with a quote so you can compare your options.

IS SPRAY FOAM REALLY “GREEN”?

A: Yes! Spray foam insulation contributes significantly to reducing your home’s energy consumption, which directly translates to a decrease in the demand for greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels. Spray foam insulation helps inhibit heat flow and creates air barriers, saving energy heating and cooling costs and resources over time. This lessens your environmental “footprint” over time. Savings in the manufacture of plastic building products like spray foam have been validated as well, to show that plastic materials save approximately 467.2 trillion BTU of energy a year as compared to alternative materials. The energy saved is enough to meet the average annual energy needs of 4.6 million U.S. households. (Source: greenbuildingsolutions.org)

Note: Spray foam is not green in color unless coloring is added to it.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING


Absolutely the best investment anyone can make during new construction or in an existing house. They are professional in every way, from protecting from overspray and cleanup and then going over to ensure every nook and cranny is filled with foam. The product itself is amazing — last winter when it was 12 degrees outside, our unheated garage never dropped below 48 degrees. The savings on heated and cooled area is extraordinary over conventional insulation. As I have told everyone, Go Green is the greatest!

- Julie & Donny Williams

We were left in a bind by another company that raised their bid. Go Green saved the day! They did a great job — were here in 4 days so we could stay on track in the building process. The house is so easy to heat and cool. I can't quite say enough good things about this company — top notch and easy to work with.

- Nancy Wilson

Great company! My house is completely air proof! The spray professionals arrived when they said they would and completed the job in the time frame they originally specified. It was an amazing process to watch! For the first time in years I can't wait to get my first heating and cooling bill!!

- Shaye Young

If you want a professional job and great people to work with, then this is the company for you! They sprayed our house here in Blue Ridge and it was great. I would highly recommend them to anyone! Thank you Go Green for your service!

- Mary Deerman

5 Stars Plus: Joshua from Go Green contacted me immediately after I began my search for insulation. Joshua came out quickly, walked the area I needed sprayed and provided a clear and better-than-reasonable estimate. He kept in constant contact with me, working around my other contractors. Installation crew (Devin, John and Dakota) arrived right on time and also did a walk through with me explaining everything they were going to do. My job consisted of the entire 2nd story of the house with all kinds of tricky angles to spray. The spraying lasted for about 3+ hours. Afterwards I was shown the product. They trimmed off excess insulation and cleaned up better than it was before they arrived. All three installers were very professional and knowledgeable about the product, and very polite and respectable. I plan to re-hire them at a later date for a basement project. I would not consider any other company at this point.

- Michael Beaver

The quality of spray foam service was 5-star! They did a great job with the spray foam application on our crawl space ceiling. While the jury is still out on how much energy that will save us, I’ve already noticed warmer floors & it seems that the house stays warmer for longer before the HVAC kicks in. However, we won’t really know until we actually get some really cold weather & a few months utility bills. They also installed a vapor barrier in our dirt floor crawl space has reduce our crawl space humidity from 85-90% down to 60-70%! OVERALL, 4-Stars because of some confusion w/my payment and some minor quality issues w/the vapor barrier. However, the company has made right on all accounts.

- Rob Strangia

First of all I nearly never write a review for a product or company. However after my experience with Go Green Spray Foam Professionals I feel compelled to share my experience. I am personally building my family’s dream home in Cumming, Ga. I interviewed nearly a dozen spray foam companies throughout North Georgia both large and small. Josh Underwood would be the sales consultant that quoted my foam job. I found Josh to be knowledgeable and professional and additionally his quote was very competitive with all the other estimates I received. I based my decision to hire Go Green Spray Foam Professionals on price but mostly on previous Facebook and Home Advisor reviews — I couldn’t be happier!! I am so freaking impressed by the results and most of that credit goes to Mike Jent, the installer. (Not sure of his professional title.) Mike had a crew of two other installers and four assistants, but most of my conversations were with Mike. I was so impressed that even while Mike was spraying the foam he was keeping tabs on all the other employees — making sure the work was being done most efficiently, but more importantly, done correctly. I found everybody there to be easy to talk to and eager to do a good job. My spray foam job took two full days to complete — and at the end of each day not a single mess was left behind. I spent a lot of time researching spray foam, what it is, benefits vs disadvantages, how it’s installed, my local installers, and so on before I decided on Go Green Spray Foam Professionals. Everyone who has Googled spray foam has read articles on the horror stories that can be associated with the product. I think Josh and Mike have a solid understanding of that and do a really good job of taking their time to explain the realities of spray foam. Frankly it’s awesome!! I think what is most impressive and most important to folks considering Go Green is their (my experience was with Mike) work ethic. In the process of building my home I have interviewed many sub contractors and hired some. Mike was by far the most dedicated to a job well done and I have no hesitation recommending Go Green. Thanks guys!!

- Michael Shrout

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