I hear a lot of conflicting information about open cell versus closed cell foams. Which one is better?
One is not necessarily “better” than the other. There are applications for which one is much better suited than the other. There are some applications in which it is a matter of opinion which type of foam should be used. For a complete list of these situations, see the document “Is Icynene Right for You?” It is our opinion that in a wood framed house that is expected to flex and move with high winds, the flexible open cell foam is better suited to move with the house. We also believe that it is important to have an insulation which will not trap moisture against wood in the event of a leak (either plumbing or weather-related). In creating a conditioned crawlspace, closed cell foam is the product of choice. Because it locks moisture to the outside, it is not a problem to spray it against the concrete or concrete block walls in the crawl. Because the crawl walls are relatively stable in temperature, “masonry creep” from expansion and contraction of the block is very limited. For first an
