Although open-cell and closed-cell spray foam insulation are both used to insulate a home, their functions are different. When comparing open-cell vs closed-cell spray foam, one of the most common things you’ll see is that open-cell foam is cheaper. This is because open-cell foam does not insulate a home as well as closed-cell, but open-cell does have its own unique benefits.

When working in extreme temperatures, closed-cell foam is ideal for robust insulation. Not only does it add to the structural integrity of the building, when compared to open-cell foam, it is much more rigid and can achieve higher R-values than open-cell. It also acts as a vapor barrier and won’t be harmed by water damage. 

Compared to closed-cell insulation, open-cell insulation expands much more after each application, making it ideal for filling small, untouched spaces in a home. Because it has excellent soundproofing abilities, open-cell foam is usually used between studs and in attics.

Compared to Natural Polymers’ open-cell spray foam, our low VOC zero-cell spray foam is structurally harder. Because our zero-cell foam is a hybrid between open-cell and closed-cell, it is ideal for contractors who want a wider processing window and like to spray at a slightly lower temperature while maintaining a low VOC signature. 

Compared to our closed-cell foam, our zero-cell spray foam is closer to medium-density than our high-density closed-cell. It is slightly softer than our closed-cell foam but still adds a significant amount of structure, with a hydrophobic base. 

Having baseline knowledge surrounding each type of spray foam used throughout the insulation industry is helpful on the job site. Because each type of foam is fitted for certain environments, being able to determine which foam is best for which project without thinking twice about it is a major advantage in the industry. Not only will it save you time preparing for each project, but you also won’t waste money on unnecessary materials. Here are some quick points on closed-cell, open-cell and zero-cell foam insulation that you should take with you to the job site.