Spray Foam Insulation FAQ's

HBS (Huntsman Building Solutions) spray foam insulation is an insulation and air barrier material that seals walls, floors and ceiling cavities against air movement, including spaces around electrical outlets and light fixtures and where walls meet windows and doors. HBS spray foam insulation can provide an effective air barrier insulation to minimize air infiltration through walls and ceilings, preventing drafts, cold spots and energy loss. The performance of HBS spray foam insulation means that humid indoor/outdoor air is restricted from entering the walls & ceilings and condensing, thereby minimizing the possibility of moisture entrapment & build-up within the wall & ceiling cavities. This is conducive to preventing building envelope failure due to moisture damage. HBS spray foam insulation products include half-pound, open-cell and two-pound, closed-cell solutions which can be used separately or in tandem within a project to provide long-term thermal comfort and air sealing. HBS spray foam insulation products are installed by extensively trained and licensed Huntsman Building Solutions contractors. Only HBS spray foam insulation can maintain its installed R-values throughout its service life, contrary to air permeable insulation types that lose their field thermal performance over time due to the deterioration in the insulation quality (sagging & shrinking) and ongoing convective current loops within the insulation (up to 50% loss).

HBS spray foam insulation products are extensively tested in a range of different categories including, but not limited to, fire, emissions, sound transmission and energy performance. HBS spray foam insulation products have been extensively assessed and evaluated by global product approval organizations including the International Code Council Evaluation Service, the Canadian Construction Materials Center and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Uniform Evaluation Service. Additional testing and evaluations have been conducted by the Saskatchewan Research Council, the Institute for Research in Construction, Health and Welfare Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Housing, Materials Evaluation Commission, the NAHB Research

Center, the Oak Ridge National Laboratories and the Florida Solar Energy Center. In Europe, HBS spray foam insulation have been assessed by the British Board of Agrément, KIWA, ATec: Avis Technique, the EEA: European Economic Area and the VTT: European Technical Approval.

 Typically, buildings expand and contract due to temperature differentials, moisture content, wind load and seismic etc. Closed-cell insulation cannot accommodate the movement of the building. Open-cell spray foam provides air sealing benefits in many applications at lower cost. Vapor permeability supports bi-directional drying of assemblies - critical in warm climate zones/seasons. Flexibility allows it to expand and contract with any movement of the building structure ensuring long term air sealing. Water-blown product maintains a lower GWP (GWP 1) than most closed-cell products. 

Most HBS spray foam products do not contain environmentally harmful blowing agents like HFCs, HCFCs or HFAs, in fact most HBS spray foam insulation products are 100% water-blown (H2 Foam Lite) making them better for the environment. Organic chemical compounds from petroleum extract are the main source of its ingredients. Additionally, our H2 Foam Lite products contain castor oil, a sustainable resource for a greener, cleaner future. VOC emission testing by Saskatchewan Research Council has revealed that there were no VOC emissions after 30 days. 

Spray foam expands up to 100 times its original volume within 4-10 seconds. Independent studies indicate that within 24 hours HBS spray foam insulation is safely cured. 

No, however, water can work its way through the foam under pressure or by gravity force. When the foam is placed on water it will float and upon removal it will not contain any water and it does not lose any of its insulating properties. If it is immersed under water, water can be forced into the foam by the hydrostatic pressure; however, once it is removed from water and allowed to dry out, the original insulating properties will return. 

HBS open-cell spray foam insulation products are vapor permeable to allow water vapor molecules to flow through the foam. This means any moisture in the building's concrete or lumber can escape through the insulation as the building dries out, thus eliminating moisture that could cause rot or mould. 

HBS closed-cell spray foam insulation products are able to reject bulk water and block mass transfer of moisture that may cause mould. 

 No, HBS spray foam products are chemically inert meaning they will not change chemically or physically over time. 

 HBS insulation spray foams are considered to be environmentally preferred products due to their air sealing qualities which contribute to improved indoor air quality, reductions in energy consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions. HBS Insulation (Formerly Icynene) is listed in the industry recognized GreenSpec® Directory and the Green Wizard directory. GreenSpec® products are selected based on independent research which ensures unbiased, quality information. 

Complete details of the Flame Index and Smoke Index of all HBS spray foam insulation products can be found in each product's Technical Data Sheet.

No, flame retardants such as PBDE's (poly-brominated diphenyl ethers) are not contained in HBS Spray Foam Insulation formulations.

No, HBS spray foam insulation has been extensively tested and found to be safe. It has been safely applied over electrical wiring, as well as plumbing runs, for more than twenty-five years.