Icynene® is an open-celled, water blown, spray foam 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. This means, when applied along with proper sealants for gaps between double stud joints and double sill plates etc, Icynene can provide an effective air barrier insulation to minimize air infiltration (either hot or cold) through walls & ceilings, preventing drafts, cold spots and energy loss. It also 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.

Also, Icynene reduces many labor intensive jobs such as taping, caulking and any air-tightening details generally associated with conventional (air permeable) insulation products. It can shorten the construction time as well as lower the labor costs by providing both the building envelope air seal as well as insulation. By virtue of its millions of tiny inter-connected air cells and its stable chemical & physical properties, Icynene 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).

How is Icynene® Installed?

There are two different ways to install Icynene® insulation — spray it into open building envelope cavities such as studded walls, ceilings and floors or pour it into existing wall cavities when retrofitting. An Icynene trained, licensed Dealer must be hired to do the job in both cases.

With any open cavity, Icynene® insulation can be directly spray-applied once electrical and plumbing services are in place. It then expands to 100 times its initial volume in seconds, permanently adhering to the surfaces of the surrounding building materials and sealing all gaps and voids.

For retrofitting existing walls, a slower expanding formulation of Icynene® (pour-foam) is used during the retrofit. The material is simply injected into small holes drilled into plaster or gypsum faced walls, or from the outside of the wall, whichever provides the easiest access to the cavities.

What are the advantages of Icynene®?

For builders, Icynene® can reduce construction time by simplifying the insulation process and minimizing the number of callbacks due to building envelope failure as a result of air borne moisture entrapment & buildup within the cavities. To give an idea as to how tight the Icynene® insulated houses are, many blower door tests have shown that houses insulated with Icynene® and without polyethylene vapor barrier, measure 1.2 ACH @50 Pa. de-pressurization. This is well under the 1.5 ACH @50 Pa. rating set out for some of the most stringent energy efficient home building programs such as R-2000 in Canada & Building America in US. Heating and cooling costs are typically reduced by up to 50% and smaller, less expensive heating and cooling equipment can be used because of the reduced heating & cooling loads.

For homeowners, this means lower heating & cooling costs from reduced air infiltration and a more comfortable home, draft free without cold spots. Also, Icynene's® continuous air barrier capability will significantly reduce unwanted air borne noise from the outside resulting in a quieter interior living space. Proper mechanical ventilation must be provided to Icynene® insulated houses and when merged with an air to air heat exchanger like HRV or ERV, superior air quality can be achieved for a healthier indoor environment.

Why does Icynene® go where other insulations won’t?

Rim joists, around windows and doors, crawlspaces, over garages, around skylights and electrical boxes are just a few of the awkward areas in a home that are difficult or impossible to insulate effectively with conventional insulation. But not with Icynene®:

1) Icynene® expands to fill every crack and crevice and is an effective air barrier minimizing energy loss, outdoor pollutants and airborne moisture.

2) Icynene® sticks to surrounding surfaces. No need to worry about gaps or spaces in irregular shaped areas. Unlike other insulations Icynene® won't shrink, settle or sag.

3) Icynene® is perfect for cathedral ceiling applications and unvented attics. In fact, Icynene® is one of the few insulations approved for use in an unvented attic application, which can offer additional protection against wind and water damage during storms.

At what stage is Icynene® installed during new home construction?

After the windows, doors and roof are in, 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.

Why isn’t Icynene® sold in stores so I can install it myself?

1) Only an Icynene Licensed Dealer and installer are trained to spray Icynene® properly to ensure it fills every space to create a complete air barrier system.

2) Only an Icynene Licensed Dealer and installer are trained to properly store Icynene®, to prepare it for spraying and to ensure it is properly applied in each area of your home.

3) Only an Icynene Licensed Dealer and installer will know how much Icynene® to apply to meet local code requirements.

How expensive is Icynene®?

Icynene® is a premium insulation product and will typically be a little more expensive than most conventional insulation products. However, because Icynene® is an all-in-one insulation and air barrier system, it delivers greater energy savings that can help you get your money back faster than with conventional insulation.

Is Icynene® environmentally friendly?

Icynene® delivers high-performance solutions for efficient building envelopes, thermal comfort and a healthy living environment – all of which are integral components of green building and design. Icynene® can also contribute points/credits to LEED for Homes + the NAHB National Green Building Standard™.