Green Earth Services and Foametix School Atlanta-Area K-5 Construction in Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

LITHIA SPRINGS, GA - February 29, 2012 - The process was different from a typical installation, and while it wasn't completely foreign to the project's contractors, it was the first time many of them had seen it implemented. Suffice to say, they were impressed.

"The spray foam application process was much faster, cleaner and easier to work with for all of us," said Bill Page, the project's brick mason. He echoed the general sentiment.

All the buzz was concerning a relatively new, or a least underutilized, type of spray foam application employed at an elementary school being constructed in Lithia Springs, Georgia.

"We are excited about the overwhelming interest that this spray foam application has generated," said Scott Youmans, owner of Green Earth Services, the project's spray foam contractor.

Forgoing an exterior wall assembly consisting of concrete block masonry, ISO board, vapor barrier and brick masonry, the project's general contracting firm, RA-LIN and Associates, opted to use spray foam insulation in place of the ISO insulation and vapor barrier, as SPF insulation inherently performs both functions.

"Not only does the closed cell spray foam provide a seamless air and moisture barrier, it increases the overall efficiency of the construction process," explained Ryan Hester, a sales manager for Burtin Polymer Laboratories. BPL manufactures Foametix, which was the SPF applied in the project.

Indeed, a spray foam application is considerably less labor-intensive than installing ISO board. A typical installation would require affixing the board to the block masonry, cutting around the brick ties, filling voids with mineral wool, and sealing the seams and holes with tape. With SPF insulation, the only step is spraying the foam.

That's where Green Earth fits into the picture. Having won the bid for the project, and with extensive experience in residential applications under their belt, the company began the application in September of 2011. Green Earth sprayed an average of 1" of Foametix FX-245 2lb. closed cell foam over 42,000 sq. ft. of block masonry. Moreover, the spray application process was made even easier via a Genie S-40 boom lift. Green Earth often utilizes the boom lift, or in some cases a scissor lift, to expedite their SPF applications.

Youmans also mentioned that Hester helped out in the field.

"He was was out there spraying with us, which was cool," he said. "He probably sprayed a couple thousand [sq.] feet."

Hester, who has experience spraying SPF, downplayed the novelty of the situation, relating it to something more along the lines of customer service. He also wanted to make sure he wasn't the only one from the Foametix team getting credit.

"Our Director of engineering, David Vaughan, deserves some recognition on this project, as he worked heavily in the beginning with the architects," Hester pointed out.

The spray application was completed in November 2011 and went so successfully that Southern A&E, the architecture and engineering design firm that specified the project, has specified Foametix closed cell foam for use in future projects. RA-LIN, which works closely with Southern A&E, was also impressed with the results and will likewise take advantage of this application in the future. Both Foametix and Green Earth are bullish on this newfound preference for SPF.

About Green Earth Services: Green Earth is a licensed Foametix dealer and applicator based out of Lawrenceville, Georgia. They operate throughout Georgia and Greater Atlanta. For more information, call Scott Youmans at (770) 294-2013.

About Foametix: Foametix Spray Foam Insulation is a series of light density, polyurethane spray-applied foam insulation systems designed for residential and commercial/industrial building applications. Foametix superior insulation systems create an airtight barrier that conserves energy, blocks moisture, decreases noise and reduces the influx of outdoor pollutants and allergens. Foametix is energy smart insulation providing you with a healthier, more comfortable, more energy efficient indoor environment. Learn more at www.foametix.com.