Frequently Asked Questions
The product was evaluated by the Canadian Construction Materials Center of The National Research Council's, (NRC), and Institute for Research in Construction. Health and Welfare Canada examined the NRC emissions tests. The Ontario Ministry of Housing, Materials Evaluation Commission evaluated it and the Council of American Building Officials National Evaluation Service also evaluated it.
Icynene® complies with the BOCA, SBCCI and the ICBO Uniform Building Codes. It has been evaluated by the Council of American Building Officials National Evaluation Service and has been the subject of research projects by the NAHB Research Center. Health problem concerns associated with other building products in recent years such as asbestos, urea formaldehyde and glass fibers, dictate the ground rules for acceptance of new building materials. The Icynene® product became, to the best of our knowledge, the most extensively tested insulation material on the market today. The testing included the most sensitive emissions tests developed to date, tests that few other building materials have ever been through.
A foam that adheres to building materials must remain flexible in order to maintain its air seal. Buildings expand and contract with changes of season and temperature. If the foam is rigid, it will inevitably develop hairline cracks along the studs and ultimately the air seal will be destroyed.
The foam is created in seconds after spraying. You can watch it expand within seconds to 100 times its original volume, literally before your eyes. It completely cures within a few minutes.
No, it looks like a sponge but it is actually hydrophobic, i.e., it repels water. If placed in water it will float and on removal it will dry rapidly and loose none of its insulating properties.
The foam is a breathing foam, and any moisture in the building's concrete or lumber can escape through the insulation as the building dries out, thus eliminating any risk of rot or mildew.
No, it is inert. Its physical and insulating properties are constant.
No, the product is environmentally safe.
Our Insulation contributes no fuel in the event of fire and it will not sustain flame upon removal of the flame source. However, like fiberglass, it will be consumed by flame, and gypsum board or other acceptable thermal barriers are required by applicable building codes.
At Southwest Insealators, we use a type of insulation that is safe for both you and the environment. It is water-based, and does not produce formaldehyde, CFCs or HCFCs. It has been extensively tested in both Canada and the United States and found to have no VOCs detected after 30 days. The product is in fact recommended for use in homes for many environmentally concerned or sensitive people.
No
No, Icynene® Insulation is non-corrosive. It is neutral, neither acidic nor alkaline.
Our insulation does not support bacteria or fungal growth. It also does not retain water, making it an unappealing environment for pests.
As an effective air seal, our Insulation eliminates the air gaps through which sound travels and is superior in controlling mid-range frequencies, which include the most common sounds, the human voice and stereo music.