"To Foam or NOT to Foam"

2. You can put the charts for similar products on the same fact sheet. For example, if you sell insulation boards or batts in three different thicknesses, you can put the label charts for all three products on one fact sheet. If you sell loose-fill insulation in two different bag sizes, you can put both coverage charts on one fact sheet, as long as you state which coverage chart applies to each bag size.

d. For urea-based foam insulation, the chart must be followed by this paragraph:

"Foam insulation shrinks after it is installed. This shrinkage may significantly reduce the R-value you get."

e. However, you can lower your product's R-value to account for shrinkage. To do this, you must have reliable scientific proof of the extent of shrinkage for your product and of its effect on R-value. If you lower your product's R-value, you need not make the above statement.

By omission of the statement regarding shrinkage it can be concluded that foam does shrink over time, therefore any air seal that you once had is gone. For the complete guideline for Labeling and Advertising of Home Insulation 16CFR460 go to: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/rulemaking/rvalue/16cfr460.shtm

Although most foam now days carry a class A fire rating don't be fooled, foam burns and smokes. You may have seen the demonstration where a match or a lighter is used to catch foam on fire but when the flame is removed the fire goes out. The fact is that in an attic there is wood that will continue to burn keeping the flame on the foam. With Rockwool Premium PlusT Insulation you do not have to worry about that. It is listed by UL as a NON-Combustible material. It melts at 2000° F, it does not smoke and it will not spread flames. If you do use foam we recommend you cover it with at least 1½" of Rockwool. This will serve as an ignition barrier and reduce the chance of fire. In January 2010 Building Codes will require the use of ignition barriers on all exposed foam in attics and crawl spaces. This will also add to the cost of foaming your house by as much as $1.00 per sq. ft.

1 G. Yuill, 1997