When it comes to using Handi-Foam one-component spray foam in areas with direct sunlight, it is important to take certain precautions. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can discolor and deteriorate aerosol foam insulation over time. During storage, neither open-cell nor closed-cell aerosol foam should be stored above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, aerosol foam insulation of any kind should not be applied to a substrate or to an air temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If spray foam insulation is left exposed to the sun and the elements, it will start to deteriorate after about a year.
After just a few days in the sun, the spray foam will turn yellow. To protect it from the sun's rays, it must be painted or tinted. Polyurethane foam sprayed on site performs excellently against atmospheric agents such as water, extreme temperatures, and wind, but is only attacked by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which is contained in direct sunlight. This attack causes the destruction of the polyurethane surface, resulting in a dusty appearance on the surface of the foam. It also causes a decrease in thickness at a rate of 1 or 2 millimeters per year, depending on the combined effect of rain and wind.
In the case of partially degraded foams, disinfection must be carried out using a barbed brush or pressurized water and the subsequent application of a new layer of polyurethane foam and appropriate surface protection. Injectable foam can be a cost-effective solution for many modernized insulation installations. For cans of insulating foam sealant used in whole or in part, follow the instructions on the product label on their storage and disposal. Expandable foam not only serves to stop drafts and transfer heat, but it's also the solution to silencing noisy pipes and water hammers. When it comes to insulating around windows, choose low-expansion foam instead of high-expansion foam. Most home and business owners aren't trained enough to install spray foam and are happy to call professionals for their insulation needs.
Laying lightweight layers of low-expansion foam is a safer practice than filling the entire space with high-expansion foam. If you follow the application instructions and keep track of these temperatures, you must have durable and effective insulation. For new construction or major remodeling projects, the use of insulating foam sealants can help obtain energy efficiency credits under residential green certification programs. If aerosol foam is going to be exposed, closed cell is the best option as it is known for its durability. Packaged in a pressurized can with a straw for spraying into gaps and crevices, expansive foam, spray foam and foam sealant are used interchangeably in the construction industry but they don't always mean the same thing.
In polyurethane foam that is applied directly to expansion joints, cracks can occur due to the movement of the substrate by expansion or contraction. Some types of spray foam are strictly for professionals such as Icynene which is used to insulate entire homes. Ultimately, when using spray foam insulation in areas with high temperatures or direct sunlight exposure, it is important to take certain precautions such as painting or tinting it for protection from ultraviolet rays from the sun. Additionally, aerosol foam insulation should not be applied to a substrate or air temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
