Key Icynene Applications

Icynene® is ideal for insulating and air-sealing both wood and steel framing. Click on the links below to learn more about Icynene®'s performance in specific application areas.

Walls

Ceilings/floors Unvented attic roof (hot/humid climate) Vented attic (cold/dry climate) Bonus rooms over the garage or cantilevered floors Crawlspaces Hard-to-insulate areas

Walls

Problem(s):

• Up to 40% of energy loss is due to uncontrolled air leakage
• Up to 99% of moisture travels in the air and can build up inside a home through daily activities like cooking and showering. If moisture carried by air is allowed to move through the walls it can condense within the walls leading to related problems such as mold
• Unwanted noises originating from plumbing runs or from the adjoining media room
• Drafts causing hot/cold spots

Solution:

Icynene® is classified as an air barrier material. Sprayed in the walls, Icynene® creates a blanket of soft foam for superior air tightness. Icynene®'s open-celled structure remains flexible to expand/contract with the walls for consistent air-sealing over the life of the building.

Benefits:

• Increased energy efficiency
• Improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
• Peace and quiet

Ceilings / Floors

Problem(s):

• Cold and uncomfortable floors
• Unwanted noises on the main floor originating from the kids' recreational room in the basement
• Buckling hardwood floors due to moisture build-up in the floor system

Solution:

Icynene® is easily applied overhead to insulate ceilings or floor joists to minimize airflow and reduce the transfer of unwanted sounds

Benefits:

• Even floor temperatures for added comfort
• Quieter spaces
• Minimized potential of buckling hardwood floors

Unvented Attic Roof (Hot/ Humid Climates)

Problem(s): Energy loss associated with duct leakage Moisture ingress in the attic HVAC inefficiency

Solution:

As an air impermeable insulation Icynene® is approved for use in an unvented attic design. Applied to the underside of the roof deck, Icynene® converts the attic into an indirectly conditioned space.

Benefits:

• Duct leakage remains within the conditioned space, eliminating the loss of conditioned air.
• HVAC equipment stays cooler and works more efficiently for superior cooling performance, locking in energy savings.
• Source of a roof leak is easily detectable for repair and the material is unaffected by the wetting/drying process, maintaining original performance once dried.
• Sealing soffit vents controls rainwater or wind-driven moisture ingress for added durability.

Vented Attic (Cold/ Dry Climates) - Go to top

Problem(s):

• Stack effect occurs when heated air escapes through the ceiling into the attic from upper levels of the home and is replaced in lower levels of the home by drawn-in, outdoor air. Conventional insulation, such as fiberglass and cellulose, doesn't meet air barrier standards (based on air permeability testing, ASTM E 283) so doesn't do a good job of stopping air flow/leaks and can sag or settle over time.
• In heavy snowfall areas, ice damming is a common problem.

Solution:

When spray applied to the attic floor and connected with the vertical wall insulation, Icynene® creates an air barrier against air leaks to minimize heat loss into the attic, particularly around hard to insulate areas like recessed lights.

In colder temperatures Icynene® (as an ASTM qualified air barrier) addresses the problem of stack effect by minimizing heat loss through the ceiling. Icynene® minimizes the potential of warm moist interior air coming into contact with the cold roof surface; helping reduce the potential of ice damming in high snowfall areas.

Benefits: Improves energy performance for savings as much as 50%. Minimizes the potential of water/moisture damage and associated health concerns (mold) that can result from ice dams.

Bonus Rooms / Cantilevered Floors

Problem(s):

• The bonus room over the garage or porch is often uncomfortable. In cold climates, for example, floors can be 10°F cooler than the room.
• Difficult to keep conventional fibrous insulation in contact with the floor above (when insulating the garage ceiling). Due to voids/air spaces in fibrous insulation, the floor in the bonus room is colder than the rest of the home.
• Without extra sealing material, conventional insulation can allow exterior air; exhaust fumes and odors to penetrate from the garage or exterior into the living space above.

Solution:

Icynene® spray formula has tenacious adhesive characteristics making it easier to insulate overhead ceilings. It creates a seamless bond with the substrate providing consistent R-value without sagging.

Benefits:

• Creates healthier indoor air by protecting the adjoining living space against fumes originating from the garage below.
• Creates an evenly heated/cooled interior space for optimal comfort.

Crawl Spaces

Problem(s): Potential moisture build-up on floor insulation if conventional material is used. Sweating ductwork. Energy loss due to leaky ductwork/HVAC inefficiency.

Solution:

Icynene® air-seals and creates unvented crawlspaces, delivering a conditioned area that works more efficiently and improves indoor air quality.

Benefits:

• Offers a conditioned area for ductwork and air handlers, allowing the HVAC equipment to operate more efficiently for increased energy savings.
• Air-seals difficult-to-insulate areas with no gaps or seams.
• Increases durability of the structure.
• Circulates cleaner air inside the home.
• Minimizes airflow and accompanying moisture from entering the crawlspace and condensing on the ductwork.

Hard to insulate areas

Problem(s):

• Designs or architectural features can pose insulation challenges because conventional insulation doesn't fit unusual cavities.
• Batts are standard size and must be cut or manipulated or compressed to fill unusual spaces (electrical boxes) reducing it's rated R-value; and may require extra finishing materials.
• Steel framing consists of ''U'' and ''C'' sections, double studs and non-standard stud locations that make insulating a challenge.

Solution:

Icynene® spray foam expands and fills all gaps, allowing you to explore the geometry of design without sacrificing function. It adheres to surrounding materials, creating a perfect air-seal and delivering the rated R-value in one step.

Benefits:

• Conforms to unusual geometry to provide a seamless air barrier.
• Increases the durability of the structure by providing consistent R-value for the life of the building.
• Minimizes the flow of airborne moisture and the threat of condensation particularly in metal buildings.
• Flexible allowing it to expand and contract along with the building structure preventing delaminating and cracking.

Resources:

Physical Factors that Affect Health:

Temperature, Relative Humidity, Noise, VOCs, Mould Spores and Ventilation - all of which are addressed when insulating with Icynene®.

Resources for Better Building Performance

Icynene engages in extensive research in order to develop and perfect our products. This ensures that we address all the elements that make Icynene® insulation a high-performance, premium product. This section was developed to share our findings with you so that you can understand how Icynene delivers the full solution to creating an environment that is Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient®.