Insulation does more than help regulate the temperature of your home. The right insulation material also aids in keeping your home dry and in good shape. That’s why many homeowners look for water-resistant insulation that can hold up to drastic temperature changes without creating moisture issues like condensation or mold. One popular insulation material is spray foam. Is spray foam insulation waterproof? This guide for dry homes provides the answer.
Whether your spray foam insulation is waterproof depends on the type of material you use. In short, closed cell spray foam is waterproof while open cell spray foam is not. This is because closed cell spray foam insulation is a denser material, while open cell spray foam is lighter and expands more. This is useful for filling large areas or insulating corners and crannies, but it doesn’t offer as much protection as its closed cell counterpart. Closed cell insulation, on the other hand, offers stronger resistance to the elements—including water.
Now that you know the answer to “Is spray foam insulation waterproof?” it’s time to ask another important question: do you really need waterproof insulation for your home? Insulation that isn’t waterproof can lead to excess moisture in your home. The accumulated water can cause intense shifts in temperature, making your home less energy efficient. Too much moisture also leads to humidity problems, built-up condensation, and even mold if you’re not careful.
Water can also destroy the insulation itself. When water seeps into your insulation material, it replaces the air that was providing better insulation for your home. Water conducts heat better than air does, which means damp insulation allows warm air to seep in or out of your home. Water can also cause your insulation to deteriorate over time. All in all, waterproof insulation is the key to better energy efficiency and a dry, healthy home.
Different Expanding Foams For Different Uses
Just as you need to have the right tool for the right job, it’s important to have the right expanding foam for the right project. Dupont offers a variety of Great Stuff Expanding Foam options for a wide array of needs and uses.
I have used Great Stuff products in my home, rehabs, and rental projects for years. It is an excellent way to seal air leaks and close huge gaps that allow pests into the home. To see examples of how Great Stuff expanding foam can be used to air seal your home, read Is My Home Energy Efficient? Here’s How To Know!
But when it comes to using Great Stuff in direct contact with water, it’s important to use the right version of this product.
Great Stuff Pond and Stone is specifically designed to be used in wet areas including around outdoor fixtures and direct water flow such as an outdoor rock waterfall. It is also suitable for any location where an expanding foam is needed but a black foam color is preferred. This is all explained in Dupont’s information brochure available at this link.
Dupont claims that the new Great Stuff Pond and Stone foam is very durable in wet locations and will last for years. They even report that it can be applied to both dry and damp surfaces.
Depending on your use case, this may be the perfect solution. You do not have to worry about the foam coming into frequent, direct contact with water.
The foam is black and intended to blend in with its surroundings when used around ponds or as an adhesive for stones such as in a retaining wall. It cures in around 8 hours so it is meant to be applied and then left to cure and dry.
Because it is designed to come into direct contact with flowing water, the Pond and Stone product offers opportunities to seal cracks and holes in wet locations where previous products were not intended or recommended.
It is notable that in the company’s product literature, they are promoting that the product is reusable for up to 30 days. That definitely increases your ability to prevent waste and make the most of this product.
I used Great Stuff foam to seal a couple of joints when I installed a French drain system. Had I known that this product existed, I would have used it instead since it is specifically intended for use in wet areas.
This version of Great Stuff expanding foam also offers water resistance. It is not meant to be in constant direct contact with water but is suitable for outside locations where exposure to water is likely.
Examples include sealing around external piping and faucets, basement areas, and electrical and cable lines. It is fine for indoors too, making it one or the more versatile versions of the Great Stuff brand. In fact, the manufacturer refers to it as the “jack of all trades” of their expanding foam product line. It is intended for gaps up to one inch.
But the traditional Great Stuff Gaps and Cracks version is also labeled as suitable for inside and out so the real difference between these two actually seems to be the coloring of the foam. Dupont promotes Great Stuff Black Insulating Sealant as being able to blend into its surrounding environment. Considering the fact that Great Stuff foam sprays are paintable and stainable, I’m not sure as to how beneficial this is.
The company does not yet have information videos on the Pond and Stone foam spray but the below video on using the Great Stuff Black Insulating Foam Sealant will likely provide insightful guidelines on proper preparation and application that will be suitable for the Pond and Stone version as well.How and where to use Great Stuff™ Black Foam Sealant
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Water can also destroy the insulation itself. When water seeps into your insulation material, it replaces the air that was providing better insulation for your home. Water conducts heat better than air does, which means damp insulation allows warm air to seep in or out of your home. Water can also cause your insulation to deteriorate over time. All in all, waterproof insulation is the key to better energy efficiency and a dry, healthy home.
Insulation does more than help regulate the temperature of your home. The right insulation material also aids in keeping your home dry and in good shape. That’s why many homeowners look for water-resistant insulation that can hold up to drastic temperature changes without creating moisture issues like condensation or mold. One popular insulation material is spray foam. Is spray foam insulation waterproof? This guide for dry homes provides the answer.
Now that you know the answer to “Is spray foam insulation waterproof?” it’s time to ask another important question: do you really need waterproof insulation for your home? Insulation that isn’t waterproof can lead to excess moisture in your home. The accumulated water can cause intense shifts in temperature, making your home less energy efficient. Too much moisture also leads to humidity problems, built-up condensation, and even mold if you’re not careful.
Whether your spray foam insulation is waterproof depends on the type of material you use. In short, closed cell spray foam is waterproof while open cell spray foam is not. This is because closed cell spray foam insulation is a denser material, while open cell spray foam is lighter and expands more. This is useful for filling large areas or insulating corners and crannies, but it doesn’t offer as much protection as its closed cell counterpart. Closed cell insulation, on the other hand, offers stronger resistance to the elements—including water.
FAQ
Is Great Stuff insulating foam waterproof?
Will spray foam keep water out?
Is Great Stuff a water barrier?
