Homeowner's two home Utility Bill Comparison- Icynene v. Fiberglass

What is low VOC and why is it important to understand?

What is low VOC and why is it important to understand?

Posted: 26 May 2017 08:00 AM PDT

Volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) are gases that are emitted from certain solid or liquid materials. They can include a variety of chemicals. High VOC emissions from consumer and commercial products are significant contributing factors in the creation of air pollution in urban areas and can be harmful to health when present in large quantities.

The ultra-low-VOC Icynene spray foam products are based on protocols and procedures developed by a task group of the American Chemistry Council – Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (ACC-CPI) - and follow months of extensive research, testing and third-party evaluation. 

Discover more about VOCs and why it's important to seek low VOC products when choosing building materials for use in your home in the infographic below.

What are VOCs and How Do They Affect Homeowners?

What are VOCs and how do they affect homeowners? Posted: 28 Mar 2017 05:00 AM PDT VOCs – otherwise known as volatile organic compounds – are defined as gases that are emitted from certain materials, whether they are solid or in liquid form, and can include a variety of chemicals. According to the EPA, VOCs can typically have higher concentrations indoors, in some cases up to ten times higher, than outdoor concentrations. These emissions can have varying degrees of short-term and long-term health effects.  Nowadays, consumers are increasing becoming aware of VOCs and their effects on humans. As a result, consumers have become savvier in understanding the various types of products available in the market and selecting products that identify as low VOC. While VOCs do not sound appealing, there have been significant developments by manufacturers of chemicals and building materials that reduce the exposure to building occupants. Where are VOCs found? The EPA states that VOCs can be found in an array of household products and materials from paints, waxes, aerosol sprays, cleaners, pesticides, craft materials, office equipment, furnishings and building materials including insulation. You may find many of these everyday household materials and products after a quick search through your home.  Effects from exposure to VOCs can vary between individuals depending on the chemical as well as length of exposure and level of VOC emissions. Effects can include irritation of the nose and throat, nausea, dizziness and headaches among other effects. Although the presence of VOCs and their effects are not pleasant, there have been steps taken by many manufacturers to reduce our exposure to VOCs. For example, the paint industry has been very active in developing paints and varnishes that are considered low VOC. These active steps by manufacturers are helping to ensure that consumers are aware of what VOCs are and how they can reduce their exposure to such emissions. How to reduce exposure to VOCs The EPA offers consumers an array of recommendations to reduce exposure to VOCs.  There are several recommendations including: Do not mix household products together Increase ventilation when using a product Only purchase in quantities that will be used immediately Avoid storing open containers Meet or exceed label precautions Keep out of reach of children and pets How is the spray foam insulation industry responding to VOCs? Like the paint industry, the spray foam insulation industry is responding to VOCs and developing products are considered low VOC. As the spray foam insulation industry leader, Icynene has been committed to the responsible development of spray foam chemistry for over 30 years. Icynene’s leadership position in the category has seen the development of several spray foam insulation products including Icynene Classic Max, Icynene Classic Max Select, Icynene ProSeal and Icynene ProSeal LE. Each of these spray foam products is identified as a low VOC spray foam insulation material. And it doesn’t stop there; chemists and building scientists at Icynene continue to develop spray foam innovation to meets the ever changing requirements of modern commercial and residential construction as well as the demands of architects, builders and homeowners alike. Icynene has gone further to ensure that their spray foam insulation products are evaluated by UL Environment to gain and GREENGUARD Gold certification.  Icynene Classic Max, Icynene ProSeal and Icynene ProSeal LE have received GREENGUARD Gold certification. Furthermore, Icynene spray foam insulation products meet the criteria set by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS). As a result of Icynene’s low VOC innovation, building occupants are able to re-occupy a home or building after just two hours and in some cases 1 hour after the spray application following active ventilation as prescribed. What is GREENGUARD? GREENGUARD Certification has been widely adopted as a trusted standard for low-emitting products. More than 400 green building codes, standards, guidelines, procurements policies, and rating systems recognize or reference GREENGUARD Certified products. The GREENGUARD Gold Certification standard includes health based criteria for additional chemicals and also requires lower total VOC emissions levels to ensure that products are acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities. What is CHPS? CHPS is a collaboration to address energy efficiency in schools. The program covers all aspects of school design, construction and operation. CHPS develops tools that help make schools energy, water and material efficient, well-lit, thermally comfortable, acoustically sound, safe, healthy and easy to operate.  CHPS sets a specific set of criteria that must be met by building materials to allow for use in the construction of schools. Where does LEED fit in? Low emitting materials  are addressed in LEED v4 with the intent to reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants that can damage air quality, human health, productivity, and the environment. Architects can receive credit toward LEED certification in addressing low emitting materials including interior paints and coatings, flooring, interior adhesives and sealants as well as ceiling, wall, thermal and acoustic insulation. How can architects and builders help? Architects, designers and builders can all take steps to encourage the adoption of a low VOC approach in design and construction. Through educating and working with their clients in understanding what VOCs are, how they affect building occupants and the low VOC options that are available in the market, architects and builders can create high performance, energy efficient and positive spaces to live, work and play.  For More Information Call Therma Seal- 561.775.9703 or visit us at www.thermaseal.net

Unique spray foam insulation application in Florida for commercial site

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Overlooking grand gardens and an impressive fountain, the monumental Pegasus and Dragon statue in Pegasus Park at Gulfstream Park celebrates the contributions that horses have made to human civilization.

The large equine and dragon sculpture sits in a new entertainment precinct primarily aimed at families. The $30 million bronze statue stands more than 100 feet tall atop of a domed building that will eventually house a 5D movie theater, pony rides, carousel and a musical light show that rivals those of Las Vegas. 



A Florida-based Icynene dealer was brought onboard to help insulate the enormous structure’s domed building. Working in collaboration with architects, engineers and the park  management, the spray foam application team recommended using low-VOC Icynene ProSeal closed cell spray foam insulation. Featuring an R-value of R7.1 per inch, Icynene ProSeal is a high performance spray foam insulation that is a Class II vapor retarder at 1.5” thickness. The flexibility of Icynene spray foam insulation ensures that the dome is both well insulated and air-sealed for optimal year round performance, regardless of the curvature and shape of the roof.



The experienced and licensed spray foam crews covered the 5,600 sq ft. domed roof with 4.25” of Icynene ProSeal to achieve R30. 

Energy Efficient Upgrades with Icynene Spray Foam and PACE

Therma Seal Insulation Systems is now a member with RenewPACE Florida. With the RenewPACE program you can receive 100% financing for your #Icynene Insulation System. There are flexible payment terms, no pre-payment penalties, and if you ever decide to sell your home, the balance can carry over to the new owner. See the video below to learn more about this great program designed to encourage #greener housing in our beautiful state of Florida. 
Therma Seal Insulation Systems :
www.thermaseal.net 561.775.9703

Q&A on Icynene and Wine Rooms

Below is a back and forth between Therma Seal and one of our customers becoming educated on the effective use of Icynene Proseal to optimize temperature control in wine rooms.

I do like the spray insulation and believe it will offer a superior product but have a few questions. If you want I can speak directly to the rep if you want to provide the contact info to save you the time.

1)     What about credits for the 3” and 1” specified AP foiled polyiscoyanurate foam sheating?  Yes…I forgot to mention that…we also have to get a credit for the insulation that presently shows on the plans.

2)     I assumed the installed ceiling clips served two purposes to hold in the 1” sheating and to attach the 5/8” greenboard. Can we leave the clips, spray on ceiling insulation and still screw 5/8” to clips (not sure we get R-value but it must be better than the 1” proposed board.)  They have a problem using anything less than a 2-1/2” stud on a ceiling installation becasu they have to make sure that they leave a minimum ¼” air gap from the back of the drywall to their spray insulation and it difficult to get their insulation dead flat when it’s applied horizontally and it’s difficult if not imposible to carve it back because it gets so hard…they can explain this in more detail.  Correct, however if a ceiling grid is created below the concrete floor with a 2.5” gap we can apply above the grid directly to the concrete

3)     Would like more detail on how the product hardens before we can consider eliminating mesh. Regardless, I still think the studs on the framed wine wall should be 12” OC.   They’re goin to prepare a sample so you can see how hard it is and they insist that with their product in the wall the wall becomes tremendously impenetrable…plus I think the elimination of having twice the amount of screws to deal with could be some sort of a moisture benefit in the long run.  I would prefer to state table top hard, such that an electric saw would be required to cut through, and/or sledge hammer.

4)     What is the R-Value of the Icynene Classic Max at the various thicknesses

a.      block walls at 3-1/2” (perhaps we can reduce to 2-1/2” here to net the same designed wall thickness)  They said they need to get 3 inches of their product on the block walls to get the same overall R factor that we get with the current system…they need the 3-1/2” studs so they can maintain the air gap between the back of the drywall and their foam.  There is synergy of benefit when utilizing spray foam is that it provides the benefit of an “Air Seal” with “R Value”.  Consequently, once an air seal achieved no additional benefit received in that department with additional foam.  Since, R-Value is only the measure of conduction, the foam efficiency has diminishing returns beyond the R13 (1.875”) level.  Thus the effectiveness of say R13 Icynene exceeds the effectiveness R21 conventional products.  The primary reason for the Icynene Closed Cell is to eliminate all air gaps and kee the indoor temperature form mixing with warmer air, eliminate chance for mold or mildew.  This wine room will be adequately sealed with a minimum 2” of Icynene.   The Icynene registers at an R7/inch of aged application.

b.      ceiling at 2-1/2” (we have plenty of room here) or ceiling at 1” if we leave clips. If we go to 2-1/2” ceiling studs maybe we just leave clips anyway as they will be completely covered.  That’s a possibility but we’re not talking any great cost to remove them…I suggest we get rid of them so we don’t have to put the 2-1/2” studs between them.  Yes, preferred or as mentioned above no clips just 2” air space above grid.

c.      interior walls I assume at 4-1/2” thick of spray insulation?  I thought we have all 3-1/2” studs…which they can get 3 ibches of insulation in…how would we get 4-1/2”  Correct 3.5” studs will be adequate.

Not All Foam is Created Equal.

Watch this 14-day time lapse video which shows how Icynene spray foam insulation does not absorb water compared to other spray foams. Icynene spray foam insulation won't absorb or retain moisture like others. Icynene maintains an air seal even after seasonal building contractions.