.jpg "Amanda Ringler")
You’ve decided on injection foam for your exterior walls and have been reading a lot about your options.
One of your options is RetroFoam injection foam, so you want to learn more about how it works, what it’s made of, and everything the material has to offer.
RetroFoam of Michigan was the first of dozens of dealers across the U.S. to offer the injection foam to homeowners. We started offering RetroFoam insulation back in 2002, so we have an intimate knowledge of the product and how it works.
In our continued efforts to educate homeowners, we are going to give you all of the information you need to know about RetroFoam home insulation.
What is RetroFoam Home Insulation?
RetroFoam home insulation is an injection foam material that is installed into enclosed wall cavities.
Unfortunately, there are people that use the term spray foam interchangeably with injection foam, which leads to some confusion. Both foam products work the same in that they create an air seal in your home or pole barn which makes the home more energy-efficient and comfortable.
The differences come in when it comes to how they are installed, the products, and how they perform.
Injection foam insulation is a hypoallergenic, non-toxic, environmentally friendly foam that also doesn’t have any odor or cause any off-gassing. RetroFoam home insulation is Class 1 Fire Rated, which means the insulation has a smoke development of less than 450 and a flame spread index that is 25 or less.
This fire rating means RetroFoam is just one of many materials that are the most fire-resistant, but not fireproof.
RetroFoam injection foam is an effective product for re-insulating and air sealing existing exterior walls and concrete block walls.
How RetroFoam Insulation Works
RetroFoam injection foam is insulation and an air barrier.
This means the insulation will seal enclosed cavities, like existing walls, against air movement.
Unlike traditional insulation, injection foam never loses its shape and it won't settle, compress, or sag over time like cellulose and fiberglass tend to do. That’s because the injection foam completely fills the cavity, getting into all of the nooks and crannies in the wall.
The insulation you have in your home should keep the temperature consistent without your AC unit or furnace running all the time. That’s how the air seal that injection foam creates helps keep your monthly energy bills down while keeping your home comfortable.
When insulation is doing its job, it affects the conduction (heat transfer) and the convection (airflow), which are huge factors in the energy efficiency of your home as well as the comfort.
RetroFoam creates an air seal that reduces air leakage but also provides heat resistance.
What is RetroFoam Home Insulation Made Of?
RetroFoam home insulation is a three-part resin injection foam designed for the insulation of enclosed cavities.
The resin is mixed with a foaming agent and water in the trailer where it creates the RetroFoam insulation. The material looks very similar to shaving cream in consistency.
This consistency helps the injection foam fill the enclosed cavity as it spreads around wires and pipes that may be in the existing walls.
RetroFoam Home Insulation Process
You don’t have to worry about tearing your drywall down or ripping your home apart when installing RetroFoam home insulation.
That’s because this injection foam can be installed from outside your home. If your home has old fiberglass, it doesn’t need to be removed before installation. If loose cellulose is in the wall cavities, crews will remove as much of that material as they can before injecting the foam.
The process changes slightly depending on the type of siding your home has.
A home with aluminum or vinyl siding will have a piece of that siding removed all around the home. A hole is then drilled into each stud cavity and the RetroFoam is injected into the cavity. Once the cavity is full, the holes are plugged with a styrofoam plug and the siding is replaced.
For a home with a brick exterior, small holes are drilled through the mortar joints between every stud to inject the foam. Once the cavities are full, the holes are re-mortared.
Lastly, a home with wood siding has a slightly different process. If the siding can be easily removed, the same process for aluminum and vinyl siding is followed. If the siding can’t be removed, crews must drill holes through the siding to inject the foam. Once the cavities are filled, the holes are closed with wooden plugs.
From slate to stucco, there isn't an exterior type we haven't worked with to install RetroFoam.
RetroFoam Insulation Benefits
There are a lot of benefits to adding RetroFoam injection foam to your home.
RetroFoam reviews show homeowners experience more comfortable homes and lower monthly energy bills.
Some other benefits include:
- Lower monthly energy bills.
- No more drafts or cold walls.
- Creates an air seal that stops air leaks.
- Home is much more comfortable.
- Blockage of pollutants and allergens from getting into the home.
- Pays you back over time with energy savings.
- Reduces airborne noise.
RetroFoam Insulation Problems
We are all humans, and that means we can make mistakes.
How those mistakes are handled says a lot about a person, as well as a business. Some of the RetroFoam problems are based not so much on the material but on installation. A good RetroFoam dealer will offer a lifetime warranty that covers not only the product but the workmanship as well.
While these problems are rare, some issues homeowners have experienced include:
- The wall cavity isn’t completely filled.
- More expensive than traditional insulation.
- While rare, if there is too much pressure during the installation, your drywall could be damaged.
The Network of RetroFoam Dealers
RetroFoam has dealers across the U.S. in 28 states, as well as in two other countries.
Each dealer is trained by the manufacturer on the best ways to install RetroFoam home insulation. As part of the dealership start-up, the dealer is provided with state-of-the-art equipment, as well as expert training and marketing tools.
The company also helps network the dealers together so people who are new to the business always have an experienced person to reach out to.
History of RetroFoam Insulation
In the early 1980s Polymaster, the parent company of RetroFoam started a business manufacturing foam insulation. This new product was different than foam created by companies in previous years because it was a low-formaldehyde product.
For nearly 20 years, Polymaster was setting the industry standard when it came to its foam insulation R-Value. In 2002, Polymaster’s InsulThane was one of the first polyurethane foam products on the market that was Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).
That same year Polymaster introduced its premium residential foam product RetroFoam.
Learn More About RetroFoam of Michigan
You’ve now learned about all things RetroFoam, but what about RetroFoam of Michigan.
If you’d like to learn more about us and how we can make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient, check out the Learning Center on our website.
Related Articles
How Do Crews Know if the Wall Cavity is Full When Injecting Foam Insulation?
