Exterior SPF Insulation Application Keeps Canadian Weather Out of School's New Addition

CORNWALL, ON – August 21, 2013 – Whether it is applied inside or outside of a building, spray foam insulation can promote the same energy-saving and comfort-improving benefits. SPF insulation is constantly gaining ground in new construction projects, with more general contractors becoming aware of its long-term durability at a modest cost. When the owners of an Ontario-based school decided to construct an addition that would provide more classrooms for their student body, they decided they wanted to provide the addition with the best insulation possible. It was then agreed between the school and the project's general contractor to apply SPF insulation.

The general contractor had a work history with Enviro-Tec Custom Foam Insulation, the SPF contracting company brought in specifically to apply SPF to the 45 by 60-foot addition. The construction crews were wrapping up the interior work when the two-man Enviro-Tec crew arrived on site. The construction specifications called for a paint job on the interior walls and the application of SPF on the exterior of the building. Enviro-Tec's part of the project consisted of applying SPF to the exterior of the building and, later on, to a ceiling entrance below the metal roof deck 11 feet from the ground that was not yet built.

According to Enviro-Tec's Patrick Dubeau, prep work was minimal in terms of overspray protection.

"The doors and windows of the addition were not yet in," said Dubeau. "It was a construction site, so there wasn't any parking close by and we were all in a pretty secluded area with woods all around."

Dubeau said that the SPF was mostly installed directly from the ground, although the crew used scaffolding in the higher areas of the structure's exterior.

The Enviro-Tec crew applied 3.5 inches of HeatLok Soy 200, a 2 lb. closed-cell spray polyurethane foam formulated by Demilec, on the outside of the building – a concrete block substrate with wall studs coming out of it. The crew went through two and a half sets of foam for a total spray area of nearly 2,000 square feet. Dubeau noted that they shaved off SPF in certain points that exceeded the foam depth tolerance of the project. Dubeau's first time working with HeatLok Soy 200 SPF and the project specifications had required its use, but he was very pleased with the foam's performance.

"The foam yielded well and had a nice finish," said Dubeau. "Overall, it went really well."

Enviro-Tec's rig was equipped with a Graco Reactor H-25 proportioner and a Graco ClearShot liquid purge spray gun. The crew was able to complete the application in two days, which, Dubeau claims, put Enviro-Tec one day ahead of schedule.

Dubeau confirmed that the spray foam application was a smart choice when taking Canadian weather into consideration.

"The spray foam is going to cut the drafts and cut the cold," said Dubeau. "It will keep the owners from having to frame interior walls and putting in conventional fiberglass insulation. For this particular project, spray foam seemed to be the most logical choice."

Next for the Enviro-Tec crew is to go back on site as soon as the steel decking is built, so that they may install the foam on a section of the ceiling entrance.

"We're going to have to spray two feet out from the building for that, so we keep the transfer from going on," said Dubeau. "Once the steel decking is finished, we'll go back and add four inches of foam on top of that."

Dubeau noted that since the steel decking is only 28 square feet, the crew should be able to complete the last part of the SPF job in a matter of hours.

About Enviro-Tec Custom Foam Insulation: Enviro-Tec provides eco-friendly urethane spray foam insulation for residential and commercial customers. With 15 years of experience, Enviro-Tec uses products that are environmentally safe and provide quality airflow and noise reduction. Enviro-Tec guarantees all their work and provides two-year warranties. For more information on Enviro-Tec, please use the contact information and links provided below.