Spray foam insulation will help keep you warm in the winter saving you money on your heating, air conditioning and energy bills

Closed Cell vs. Open Cell Foam

What is the Difference between Open-cell and Closed-cell Polyurethane Foams?

This may be one of the most important pages on the website if your interest is in spray foam insulation. When it comes time to actually put the foam product in your home or commercial building structure, you must identify whether you will use .05 lb./cu. ft., open cell foam, or 2.0 lb./cu. ft. closed cell foam. This makes a big difference in cost, application methods, and performance.

With the open-cell vs. closed-cell issue, there are two major factors to understand and consider. The first is the nature of the foam. It is either open-cell foam, where the tiny cells of the foam are not completely closed. They are broken and air fills all of the “open” space inside the material. This makes the foam weaker or softer feeling than closed-cell foam.

Closed-cell foam differs in that all of its tiny foam cells are closed and packed together. They are filled with a gas that helps the foam rise and expand and become a greater insulator. These cells can be formulated to obtain many characteristics, the most common being size and density.

Density is measured by weighing one solid cubic foot of foam material. Open cell foams typically weigh in at 0.4 to 0.5 lb./cu. ft. Closed cell foam for insulation applications range in density from 1.7 lb./cu. ft. to 2.0 lb./cu. ft. Roofing applications typically use a 2.8 to 3.0+ lb./cu. ft. to support traffic and loads better. The higher the density the foam, the heavier, or stronger it becomes. Some polyurethane foams are molded into decorative interior molding and painted or stained for a simulated wood effect. These “higher density” foams are typically in the 30 lb./cu. ft. to 40 lb./cu. ft. density range.

The advantages of closed-cell foam compared to open-cell foam include its strength, higher R-value, and its greater resistance to the leakage of air or water vapor. The disadvantage of the closed-cell foam is that it is denser, requires more material, and therefore, is more expensive. Even though it has a better R-value, typically the cost per R is still higher than open-cell foam. The choice of foam can also be based on the requirements for the other performance or application specific characteristics such as strength, vapor control, available space, etc.  Open-cell SPF has an R-value around 3.5 per inch and typically uses water as the blowing agent.  Closed-cell SPF has an R-value of around 6.0 per inch (aged R-value) and uses high R-value blowing agents.

Both types of foam are commonly used in most building applications and the choice for which to use can depend on many of the factors discussed above. Some foams are inappropriate in specific applications. For example, you typically would not use open-cell foam below grade or in flotation applications where it could absorb water; this would negate its thermal performance because water is a poor insulator compared to air. Closed-cell foam would be a good choice where small framing sizes need the greatest R-value per inch possible. Closed-cell foam would be used for roofing applications.

Always contact your material supplier for performance and application data on their specific materials. What type of foam being used in your building or home is always a good issue to discuss with your spray foam installation professional up front, before the job starts.

Call MJW today for a quote on Spray Foam Installation (603) 601-6283.

Our Clients

“MJW Drywall was by far, the most professional outfit we have ever worked with for home improvements, bar none!  They had the best rate, showed up on time and did the work in one day!  Our 1930’s house with NO remaining insulation went from an oil heating bill of $1600.00-1800.00 annually to about $800.00-900.00!  Our home is cozy instead of breezy and we are so happy we did it!   We strongly recommend Mike and his team to anyone looking to ‘greenify’ their home.” – Christine Roach, Dover, NH

Manufacturers of products we install

All products are registered trademark

Gaco Western
052 half pound open cell has an aged R-value of 4.21 per inch
Gaco one pass with an R-value  at 3.5 Inches:of  R- 25
System 183 2 pound closed cell foam is a petroleum-based product and has an aged R-value of 6.9 per inch

BASF
We offer their premier line Comfort Foam® which is a 2 pound closed cell foam with an R-value of 6.7 per inch
Spraytite® 2 pound closed cell foam which has an R-value of 6.6 per inch
Enerite® is a half pound open cell spray foam with an R-value of 3.7 per inch

Demilec spray foam
Selection 500 low density half pound open cell foam with an R-value of 3.81 per inch
Selection Agrilbalanc is a three-quarter pound open cell foam with an R-value 4.45 per inch
Heatlok soy there 2 pound closed cell soy-based foam insulation 6.6 per inch R-value
Heatlok soy 200 is a 2.1 pound closed cell soy-based foam insulation 7 per inch R-value

Bayer material sciences 
Bayseal CC is a closed cell 2 pound foam that has an age R-value of 6.9 per inch
Bayseal 2.4 is also a high density closed cell foam with an R-value of 6.3

We offer their premier line Comfort Foam® which is a 2 pound closed cell foam with an R-value of 6.7 per inch
Spraytite® 2 pound closed cell foam which has an R-value of 6.6 per inch
Enerite® is a half pound open cell spray foam with an R-value of 3.7 per inch

Bayer material sciences
Bayseal CC is a closed cell 2 pound foam that has an age R-value of 6.9 per inch
Bayseal 2.4 is also a high density closed cell foam with an R-value of 6.3

Quik-Shield Spray Foam insulation by SWD Urethane

Lapolla industries Spray Foams 

Johns Manville  spray foams

Contact Us (603) 601-6283

Fill out the form below to contact us, we will reply as soon as possible