How Spray Foam Insulation Can Help During Hurricane Season

Hurricane season is alive and well in the Lowcountry. Thankfully, spray foam insulation can help protect your home when the winds and waters pick up and your home takes a hit. 

Spray foam insulation comes in many forms. Which type is considered useful in the event of a hurricane?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has rated closed cell spray foam insulation as a highly acceptable flood-resistant material. In order for FEMA to consider a material to be flood-resistant, it must be able to withstand direct contact with floodwater for an extended period (72 hours) of time.

How does spray foam insulation help a home’s roof or walls in the event of a hurricane? 

Closed cell spray foam cures to a very dense and rigid state, acting not only as energy saving insulation for your home, but as a kind of glue that strengthens the surface to which it is applied by up to 300%, meaning your roof and walls are more likely to remain intact in a hurricane.

Can spray foam help to protect a home in flood prone areas?

When it comes to your home’s basement or crawlspace, having insulation that rejects bulk water for up to 72 hours can go a long way in helping to prevent significant damage that hurricanes sometimes cause.

Closed cell is the optimal choice to effectively insulate subfloors in flood zones. Not only is it waterproof, it also increases the strength of the building to which it is applied. As a vapor barrier, closed cell creates a seal that prevents humid air from moving through the insulation and into your home, keeping humidity and moisture out.

What’s the minimum amount of closed cell foam I need to protect my home?

2 inches to the roof in an existing home / 2 inches in the roof and walls in a new construction home.

Hurricane season will continue to be a struggle for Lowcountry homeowners and builders alike, so don’t wait any longer to get your home hurricane ready. Contact the Energy One America team today for a prompt—AND FREE—estimate on closed cell spray foam insulation.