With hurricane season affecting vulnerable populations throughout the country, it’s important to take steps to weatherize your home to prevent damage, as well as consider which materials provide the greatest protection and benefit both before and after these storms.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated closed-cell spray foam insulations as the only acceptable insulation material resistant to floodwater damage. Closed-cell spray foam insulation can be applied to the walls, roof, and foundation of your home, creating a seal that can help to keep out the elements.
Other types of insulation may have to be thrown out after coming into contact with floodwaters and excessive moisture. However, closed-cell spray foam insulation does not retain water, reducing the risk of mold and mildew development. Data from a case study showed it can simply be washed off before allowing the rest of the home to dry out. No replacement needed.
Spray foam insulation can even help the “racking strength” of your walls. In other words, it can help your walls resist stronger winds. A study by the National Association of Home Builders found that walls panels with spray foam insulation were 2-3 times stronger than walls without.
Many areas likely to face hurricanes in the coming weeks and months have also endured record-breaking heat this summer. Spray foam insulation is a cost-effective way to block hot air from outside, while locking in cooler conditioned air inside. Spray foam will make your home “as well insulated as a Yeti Cooler,” while being “highly resistant to floodwater damage.”
So whether you are hurricane planning, trying to beat the heat, or just thinking about home upgrades to bring down your utility bills, spray foam insulation could help your home weather the storm.