Rethinking Air Sealing in Residential Home Remodeling

NORTON, Ohio – It’s time to rethink traditional home remodeling, focusing not only on aesthetics but also on energy efficiency, indoor air quality and home comfort. A major challenge in existing homes is air infiltration – a problem that can appear in multiple areas of a home, including the attic, rim joist and crawlspace. Using polyurethane foam to seal these critical areas is one the most cost-effective and easy solutions to stop air infiltration.

Traditional air sealing methods can be costly and require extensive time to apply. Using a polyurethane foam, such as Fomo Products, Inc.’s Handi-Family™ product line, creates an effective barrier in a fraction of time and cost. For instance, one can of Handi-Foam™ yields the same amount of air sealing material as 30 standard tubes of caulk, and it’s simple to install.

“Some air sealing methods can be messy and hard to maneuver, especially in tight spaces like attics and crawlspaces,” said Sara Jonas, senior manager – marketing, Fomo Products. “Using Handi-Foam makes the job go a lot smoother in a lot less time because it’s easy to use, extremely portable and doesn’t require additional materials or tools.”

From top to bottom

Existing homes typically have multiple air infiltration points, from the attic down to the basement. Closed cell foam is the best option when air sealing because it will also act as a vapor retarder, assisting with another common problem in existing homes that can lead to mold and poor indoor air quality.

Attics
Vented attics are the best environment for employing air sealing methods with polyurethane foam, as they usually contain several spots of air and moisture penetration.

Rethinking Air Sealing in Residential Remodeling

These problem-areas include junction boxes, can lights, pipe penetrations and drywall-to-wood connections. A quick flash of spray polyurethane foam (approximately ½ inch thick) will seal around these areas. When used in conjunction with traditional insulation methods, such as blown-in cellulose or fiberglass, this small amount of foam will stop air infiltration while maintaining the R-value designated by building codes.

Rim Joists

Rim joists are another common spot for air and moisture infiltration. Traditionally rim joists have been insulated with fiberglass, which can lead to mold problems when exposed to the elements and doesn’t stop air infiltration. Removing the existing fiberglass and spraying a flash of spray foam (approximately ½ to 3” thick) around the rim joist will create an airtight seal. The fiberglass can be placed over the foam to further insulate.

Crawlspaces

Crawlspaces can be a major contributor of moisture in a home, as well as cause “cold spots” in the floor. Spray polyurethane foam is one of the easiest ways to insulate these hard-to-reach areas. Most crawlspace retrofits can be completed with one laborer in less than a few hours when using a spray foam kit.

“Crawlspaces, rim joists and attics are three of the most important places to look at when you’re remodeling an existing home with energy concerns,” Jonas said. “We’ve seen homes reach up to 30 percent savings on their annual energy bill after utilizing just one of these applications. It’s a significant impact for the homeowner and a value added offering for the contractor.”

About Fomo
Fomo Products, Inc. USA was founded in 1975 and is a member of the FLM Group of Companies. The FLM Group is one of the world's largest manufacturers of one and two-component polyurethane foam sealants, adhesives and spray foam in pressurized, disposable and refillable packaging. Fomo Products, Inc. management system carries an ISO 9001 management system registration. Other products manufactured by Fomo Products, Inc., include Handi-Foam® Sealants and Spray Foams, Handi-Seal® Window and Door Sealants and Handi-Stick® Adhesives.