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Frequently Asked
Questions |
What Is ZipFoam?
Are There Building Code Approvals?
Advantages of Flexible Foam?
Advantages of ZipFoam?
Advantages for Residential Use?
What is ZipFoam made of?
How Long Does ZipFoam Take to Cure?
Does ZipFoam Absorb Water?
Does ZipFoam Entrap Moisture?
Does ZipFoam Change Physically Over Time?
Is ZipFoam Environmentally Friendly?
Flammability and Fire-Rating?
What Does the Smoke Contain?
Any Harmful Emissions?
How is the ZipFoam Installed?
How Long Has ZipFoam Been in Use?
Any Electric Wiring or Overheating Problems?
Is ZipFoam Corrosive to Metals?
Does ZipFoam Support Bacteria or Fungal Growth?
What About Mice and Termites?
What Are the Acoustic Properties?
Does ZipFoam contain Urea Formaldehyde?
Does ZipFoam Break Down, Sag or Shrink?
R-Value of the ZipFoam Solution?
Are These Aged Values?
R-Value of a ZipFoam Insulated Wall or Ceiling?
At What Stage is ZipFoam Installed?
How do I get a ZipFoam quote?
What is ZipFoam?
ZipFoam is a semi-rigid, non-toxic spray foam insulation solution offering
added value because it acts as an air and moisture barrier solution that
wind proofs and seals wall, floor and ceiling cavities to prevent air
movement ( including spaces around electrical outlets and light fixtures, at
baseboards and where walls meet windows and doors). This means that hot,
humid outside air cannot seep through walls, and that humid interior air
cannot enter the walls and condense.
By virtue of its low permeability to air, its adhesion to other building
materials and its flexibility, ZipFoam provides value beyond insulation. It
provides superior air leakage control, moisture control and sound control,
thus becoming a one step insulation, moisture/vapor barrier, wind barrier
system.
Unlike "loose fill" insulation methods that do not wind proof building
cavities, the air sealing characteristics of ZipFoam provide virtually the
same R-Value in the field as it does in the laboratory where the R-Value is
measured. Hot and cold air cannot pass through ZipFoam like
it can through traditional insulating materials.
Are There Building Code Approvals?
Yes. ZipFoam complies to the BOCA, SBCCI and the ICBO Uniform Building
Codes. It has been evaluated by the Council of American Building Officials
National Evaluation Service.
Advantages of Flexible Foam?
A foam that adheres to building materials like ZipFoam, must remain flexible
in order to maintain its air seal. Buildings expand and contract with
changes of season and temperature. If the foam is too rigid, it will
inevitably develop cracks along the studs and ultimately the air seal will
be destroyed. Other types of insulation such as batts and loose fill
cellulose can slip, sag or settle leaving uninsulated gaps.
Blower door tests have shown that a steel framed home insulated with
semi-rigid foam, and with no polyethylene vapor barrier, measures 1.2 ACH at
-50 Pa. depressurization. This is well under the 1.5 ACH50 rating for the
most energy efficient home.
Advantages of ZipFoam?
Aside from offering all the same benefits of other soft foams products,
ZipFoam is American made and therefore more affordable. As well as
simplifying the construction process for the builder, ZipFoam eliminates the
major causes of building envelope problems, air-borne moisture movement and
entrapment. Heating and cooling costs are typically reduced by 30 to 50%,
and smaller, less expensive heating and cooling equipment can be used.
Advantages for Residential Use?
A more energy efficient home means that energy costs can usually be reduced
by as much as 50%. This means a more comfortable home, that easily and
cost-effectively maintains desired temperature and humidity levels.
ZipFoam offers some sound proofing qualities as well because ZipFoam creates
a continuous sound barrier against airborne and reverberating noises. As a
value add, ZipFoam can be used in interior walls around media rooms,
plumbing and master suites.
Most importantly, ZipFoam offers improved indoor air quality. In
conjunction with your mechanical ventilation system, a well sealed building
envelope is the key to superior indoor air quality in which your family can
live a healthier life.
What is ZipFoam Made Of?
ZipFoam is a water-based formula that contains no formaldehyde, or ozone
depleting gases like CFCs or HCFCs. Like other foam insulation products in
its class, it has the texture and look of angel food cake and is made up of
millions of tiny cells. These cells are filled with air and provide
permanent control of air and airborne moisture movement. ZipFoam contains no
materials that emit harmful gases. See Specification Tables for more
physical data. Unlike other foams insulation products, ZipFoam is American
made.
How Long Does ZipFoam Take To Cure?
Less than one minute. The foam is created in seconds after spraying. You can
watch it expand within seconds to 100 times its original volume. It
can be covered with drywall within a few minutes.
Does ZipFoam Absorb Water?
No. It is hydrophobic. If a small piece were to be placed in a bucket of
water it would float and upon removal it would dry rapidly and loose none of
its insulating properties.
Does ZipFoam Entrap Moisture?
No. ZipFoam 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 mildew or rot.
Does the Foam Change Physically
Over Time?
No, ZipFoam is inert. Its physical and insulating properties are
constant as is its air seal.
Is ZipFoam Environmentally
Friendly?
Yes. The product is environmentally safe.
Flammability and Fire-Rating?
ZipFoam 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.
What Does the Smoke Contain?
Smoke from ZipFoam, like that of all organic materials including
wood, is a complex of many gasses. The major components in the smoke from
ZipFoam are carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. By the time the material is
burnt, the fire will have been raging for at least 15 minutes.
Any Harmful Emissions?
No. ZipFoam 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 and found to have no harmful emissions.
How is ZipFoam Installed?
There are two different ways to install ZipFoam. (1) spray it onto
any open surface and studded wall (including metal) or (2) pour it into an
existing wall cavity when renovating. A trained ZipFoam installer is
required in either instance.
With any open surface, ZipFoam can be sprayed on once electrical and
plumbing services are in place. In seconds, Zipfoam expands to 100 times its
initial liquid volume permanently adhering to the surfaces of the
surrounding building materials and sealing all gaps.
For retrofitting existing walls, a slower expanding formulation of ZipFoam
is used. The material is simply injected into small holes drilled into
plaster or gypsum walls, or from the outside of the wall. Since
ZipFoam takes the path of least resistance, there's no danger of bulging
walls.
How long has ZipFoam been used?
The experts at ZipFoam, Inc. (formerly Insealators of Naples) have
been indoor air quality and energy efficiency experts in Florida and Tennessee for many
years utilizing this semi rigid technology which is found in thousands of
homes and businesses across the United States. It has also been featured in
segments of "This Old House," "Your New House". and "Let's Build."
Any Electric Wiring Overheating
Problems?
No, ZipFoam has been tested and is not a concern to electrical
authorities.
Is the Insulation Corrosive to
Metals?
No. ZipFoam is non-corrosive. It is neutral, neither acidic or
alkaline, and therefore ideal for metal construction.
Does ZipFoam Support Bacteria or
Fungal Growth?
No. ZipFoam does not retain water; therefore it does not support
bacteria or fungal growth.
What About Insects and Vermin?
ZipFoam offers no food value, but it would not present a sufficient
barrier to their entry if they decided to chew through it.
What Are the Acoustic Properties of
ZipFoam?
As an effective air seal, ZipFoam 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, stereo music and
plumbing noise.
Does ZipFoam contain Urea
Formaldehyde?
No.
Does ZipFoam Break Down, Sag or
Shrink?
No. ZipFoam is stable. It does not shrink, settle or sag. The
reaction that creates ZipFoam is irreversible and it cannot break down into
its constituent parts.
R-Value of ZipFoam?
R-value is derived from a controlled laboratory test of an
insulation's resistance to conductive heat flow. ZipFoam's R-value is
3.8/inch, however its actual performance (in an uncontrolled, non-laboratory
environment) is much better than that due to the air-sealing nature of the
product vs. the non-air sealing qualities of traditionally installed
materials such as fiberglass batts.
Are These Aged Values?
No. Unlike foams filled with CFC or HCFC, the R-Value of air filled
foam does not decline as it ages.
R-Value of a ZipFoam Wall or
Ceiling?
R-Values of insulating materials are measured in laboratories and are
designated a nominal R-Value per inch. In the wall or ceiling of a building,
most factory made insulation materials suffer a reduction in performance due
to air leakage and infiltration. The insulating value of many building
components may be as low as 50% of the nominal R-Value of the insulation
they contain.
By contrast, the insulation of a wall containing ZipFoam will perform
closely to the laboratory tested R-Value of the material and seal the wall
cavity from air infiltration as well.
ZipFoam is particularly well suited to steel frame construction.
ZipFoam expands 100:1 as it is installed, adhering to surrounding building
components. It completely seals joints, crevices and voids, including
difficult-to-insulate spaces such as steel stud "U" and "C" sections, double
studs and non-standard stud locations. A continuous air/vapor barrier
is formed around the building structure in a single application.
At What Stage is ZipFoam Installed?
ZipFoam is installed after the windows, doors and roof are in and the
electrical, framing and plumbing inspections are complete, and after any
other electrical or mechanical system located behind the drywall is
installed. It is the last installation to take place before drywall
installation.
How do I Arrange for a ZipFoam
Quote?
Have your builder contact us, or contact us yourself and we'll be
happy to provide you with a quote.
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