Frequently Asked Questions
Spray foam is the best and fastest growing type of insulation in the building and reno markets. It simultaneously acts as both thermal insulation and an air barrier therefore providing two key benefits for a properly insulated building in one application. The foam sprays on as a liquid and then quickly expands up to 100 times in volume to fill and seal all cavities and surfaces. Spray foam insulation helps keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
XCELUS has a line of premium spray foam products that insulate and air-seal to control unwanted air leakage – which traditional insulation can’t do without the use of extra sealing materials. Traditional insulation materials can also leave gaps and seams around electrical boxes or light fixtures, compromising performance. XCELUS spray foam products fit tightly and snuggly around everything. XCELUS has blended chemical research with the expertise of installers to create a line of superior products that offer higher performance and greater ease of installation.
XCELUS Classic spray foam insulation has an R-value of 3.9 at 1” making it one of the best performing products on the market. But this only tells half the story because R-value doesn’t take into account air movement through or around the insulation once it has been installed. Providing a complete air seal is important because air movement can be one of the biggest sources of energy loss. When choosing a product, homeowners, builders and architects need to consider an insulation that does two things: it insulates and it creates an air seal.
Since XCELUS is an air barrier, it helps to reduce energy loss and, at the same time, mitigates the risk of condensation-related problems within walls and ceilings. Insulating a home without creating an air barrier does only half a job.
XCELUS helps to seal tiny cracks and spaces that would otherwise allow unwanted airborne irritants, like allergens and pollutants, to invade the living space.
Moisture damages buildings. Most of the damaging moisture within a building envelope is the result of air movement through cavities. When warm air meets a cold surface within a cavity, it condenses; if not found in time, it can lead to mold, mildew and rot. Spray Foam insulation seamlessly seals a building’s interior to help minimize deterioration.
XCELUS spray foam products are low VOC products and are GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold Certified. All certified products are subject to a review of the manufacturing process and undergo routine testing to help ensure minimal impact on the indoor environment.
The GREENGUARD Gold Certification standard includes health-based criteria for additional chemicals and also requires lower total VOC emissions levels to help ensure that products are acceptable for use in environments like schools and healthcare facilities. Rest assured our products are tested for VOC emissions and are held to the highest standards and rigorous testing.
XCELUS products are all positive. They positively impact the environment by reducing heating and cooling energy consumption by up to 50%. Plus, all XCELUS blowing agents are low or 0 GWP (Global Warming Potential). This measurement takes into consideration the ability of each greenhouse gas to trap heat in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide (CO2). The higher a product’s GWP number, the greater the amount of greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere. The major threat from increased GWP gases is called the ‘greenhouse effect’. Excessive amounts create a cover that traps the sun’s heat energy in an atmospheric bubble, warming the planet and the oceans. This plays havoc with the Earth’s climate systems by causing changes in weather patterns. Choosing products with a low GWP is important for the environment.
Sustainable design and low environmental impact are at the heart of XCELUS’ values. We only produce products that meet stringent government and industry criteria. Performance and innovation are also core principles. Our products meet demanding environmental standards due to their performance excellence.
Just as XCELUS open-cell spray foam seals against the transfer of air and accompanying moisture, it also helps reduce the transfer of noise. Thanks to the sound-dampening qualities of spray foam insulation, problems and annoyances related to ‘thin walls’ can be solved, resulting in increased privacy. As home offices and home theaters are becoming more important to families, spray foam insulation helps to keep noise in the theatre room and out of the office.
In the event of a water leak, XCELUS open-cell foam offers superior breathability that allows the insulation to dry and remain unaffected by minor dampening. Plus, there is no deterioration of the product. XCELUS spray foam continues to operate at peak performance levels once dried. This can help protect the building envelope from sustained wetness or conditions that can lead to rot.
In areas that are prone to flooding and hurricanes, XCELUS closed-cell spray foam does not absorb water like other types of insulation, helping to keep your structure intact and more resilient in extreme weather conditions.
Wall modifications and repairs are no problem with spray foam insulation. XCELUS open-cell spray foam can be easily cut away and removed to access plumbing or electrical wiring. If plumbing leaked on the product, leaving the wall cavity temporarily open would allow it to dry and therefore eliminate the need for a major replacement. Spray foam can also be touched up easily to ensure the air seal remains intact.
When using spray foam the saying goes… you have to build tight and ventilate right. With the proper use of exhaust fans and heat/energy recovery ventilators, a building envelope can be sealed so that clean, healthy air is circulated through the structure. Spray foam is effective because air leakage can be controlled by making wall and attic assemblies as airtight as possible. This not only prevents drafts but reduces the amount of airborne noise and dust from entering the building while ensuring that insulated cavities remain moisture-free.
Rest assured that XCELUS meets local and State fire and safety code requirements. XCELUS spray foam is a Class 1 material with a flame spread of less than or equal to 25. XCELUS goes above and beyond regular mandatory fire safety codes to ensure that we are providing you with a safe product as well as the most effective one.
Indefinitely. When correctly installed and not altered, the foam will last the life of your building. In fact, we guarantee it. Spray foam insulation adheres extremely well to virtually all substrates. And, XCELUS’s light density products remain soft and flexible to expand and contract with the home so no worries about expansion and contraction due to seasonal temperature changes.