As a spray foam contractor, you will have to answer tough questions from customers. Many customers don’t know the differences between certain types of insulation and why spray foam is worth the investment over many other materials. The next time a customer asks about spray foam benefits, remember these four reasons why spray foam is better than fiberglass and other traditional insulation materials.

Higher R-Value

R-value measures how well an insulating material resists heat flow, which is crucial to home and commercial insulation. Both open-cell and closed-cell spray foam have higher R-values than traditional fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass has an average R-value of 2.2 per inch, whereas open-cell foam has a 3.5 R-value per inch. Closed-cell foam has an even stronger heat resistance, with an R-value of 6 to 7 per inch. Plus, spray foam doesn’t lose its R-value over time and age like fiberglass insulation.

Better Longevity

Spray foam insulation also has a longer estimated lifetime than most fiberglass insulations. The average fiberglass insulation lasts up to 25 years if the material stays dry. On the other hand, spray foam insulation has the potential to last the entire lifetime of a home at a lifespan of 80 to 100 years. With the right reapplication and maintenance, spray foam insulation lasts much longer than fiberglass.

Water-Resistant Qualities

Fiberglass insulation can be difficult to keep dry, and it starts to crack under moist conditions. This promotes mold growth and will require new insulation sooner, lessening its longevity. Compare this with closed-cell spray foam, which forms an air, moisture, and vapor barrier. Closed-cell foam prevents moisture accumulation and mold growth with its water-resistant qualities. Open-cell spray foam has less water resistance, so if you live or work in a humid environment, you may want to recommend closed-cell spray foam to unfamiliar customers.

More Energy Efficient

Spray foam’s higher R-value combined with its reduced air leakage helps this material be more energy efficient. Because fiberglass insulation still allows some amount of air leakage, it’s not as efficient as closed-cell spray foam or even open-cell foam, which has minimal air leakage. During the summer and winter months, when hot air can easily escape through fiberglass, this option can waste energy from your home’s HVAC. This also causes your HVAC system to work harder to cool or heat the home, putting more wear and tear on the system.

Remember these four reasons why spray foam is better than fiberglass insulation the next time you’re marketing to potential customers. Spray foam can be a bit of an investment, but these benefits make it more than worth the cost for homeowners over other types of insulation. If you’re just getting started as a spray foam contractor or looking for updated insulation equipment, you can find turnkey spray foam rigs complete with all the tools you need here at Spray Foam Systems.