FAQs

1. What Counties / Towns do The Green Insulation Company Service?
2. What is BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation?
3. What is BioBased 1701 Spray Foam Insulation?
4. What is the difference between open-cell and closed-cell Spray Foams?
5. What makes BioBased Spray Foam Insulation so effective?
6. How does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation save consumers money?
7. How does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation control indoor air quality and comfort?
8. How does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation control moisture movement and condensation?
9. How long does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation last?
10. How long does it take for BioBased Spray Foam Insulation to cure?
11. What is the R-Value of BioBased Spray Foam Insulation per inch?
12. What is the flame spread and smoke development of BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation?
13. Does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation adhere to metal or wood studs?
14. Can BioBased Spray Foam Insulation be sprayed over electrical wiring?
15. What happens if the owners want to add an electrical outlet once BioBased Spray Foam Insulation is installed?
16. Are there any compatibility concerns with other building materials?
17. Does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation support bacteria of fungal growth?
18. Does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation contain any formaldehyde?
19. Since BioBased 501 Spray Foam is made from soybeans, do rodents and insects eat the insulation?
20. How is BioBased Spray Foam Insulation installed?
21. Can homeowners install BioBased Spray Foam Insulation themselves?
22. How can I purchase BioBased Spray Foam Insulation for my home?
23. Who named BioBased 501 Spray Foam ;Outstanding Green Product of the Year?”
24. Do the BioBased B-Components contain raw materials derived from genetically modified (GM) soybeans?
25. What is Energy Star?
26. What is LEED?
27. Where is BioBased Spray Foam Insulation located?

Answers

1. What Counties / Towns do The Green Insulation Company Service?

Fairfield County: Bethel, Bridgeport, Brookfield, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, New Fairfield, Newtown, Norwalk, Shelton, Sherman, Stamford, Stratford, Redding, Ridgefield, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.

New Haven County: Ansonia, Beacon falls, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Meriden, Middlebury, Milford, Naugatuck, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Prospect, Seymour, Southbury, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Wolcott, and Woodbridge.

Westchester County: Amawalk, Ardsley, Ardsley-on-Hudson, Armonk, Baldwin Place, Banksville, Bedford, Bedford Hills, Briarcliff Manor, Bronxville, Buchanan, Chappaqua, Cortlandt Manor, Crompond, Cross River, Croton Falls, Croton-on-Hudson, Crugers, Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Goldens Bridge, Granite Springs, Harrison, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Hawthorne, Irvington, Jefferson Valley, Katonah, Lake Peekskill, Larchmont, Lincolndale, Mamaroneck, Maryknoll, Millwood, Mohegan Lake, Montrose, Mount Kisco, Mount, Vernon, New Rochelle, North, Salem, North White Plains, Ossining, Peekskill, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Pleasantville, Pocantico Hills, Port Chester, Pound Ridge, Purchase, Purdys, Rye, Rye Brook, Scarborough, Scarsdale, Shenorock, Shrub Oak, Sleepy Hollow, Somers, South Salem, Tarrytown, Thornwood, Tuckahoe, Valhalla, Verplanck, Waccabuc, White Plains, Yonkers, and Yorktown Heights.

2. What is BioBased 501 Spray Foam?
BioBased 501 Spray Foam is an open-cell, semi-rigid foam insulation. It is sprayed-in-place as a two-part polyurethane. Once applied, it expands to 100 times its original size and provides a sealed, thermal building envelope. BioBased 501, like all BioBased Insulation products, was formulated with the environment in mind and utilizes annually renewable resources to replace some of the petroleum in the product. The product also is water-blown, which means it does not contain CFCs or HCFCs. This product is the most environmentally friendly Spray Foam insulation in the industry.

3. What is BioBased 1701?
BioBased 1701 Spray Foam is the first water-blown, closed-cell foam in the industry. Typical closed-cell Spray Foama use either CFCs or HCFCs as a blowing agent. BioBased 1701 Spray Foam offers all of the advantages of BioBased 501 as well as having vapor retarding properties which can be beneficial in certain construction applications. Because of its rigidity, BioBased 1701 Spray Foam can provide additional structural support to a building, which can be particularly beneficial in hurricane-prone areas.

4. What is the difference between open-cell and closed-cell foams? Both open-cell and closed-cell Spray Foams stop the movement of air and slow down the transfer of heat. Open-cell foam products are generally not considered vapor retarders. In climate zones 6-8 a vapor retarder system may be required on the warm side of the insulation relative to the design of the wall or ceiling system. Open-cell foam should never be used for exterior applications. Open-cell Spray Foams are more cost effective per unit of R-value than closed-cell Spray Foams but do not provide the structural contribution to a building that closed-cell foams do.

Closed-cell Spray Foams, on the other hand, have low vapor permeance due to their cell structure. These Spray Foams, depending on thickness, may be considered a vapor retarder but not a vapor barrier. Closed-cell Spray Foams also have a high compressive strength which allows them to be used for exterior applications.

Please work with your local independent certified BioBased Spray Foam installer to determine which product works best for your specific application.

5. What makes BioBased Spray Foam Insulation so effective?
BioBased Spray Foam Insulation is so effective because it is applied as a liquid and expands 100 times its original liquid size in seconds. As it expands, it conforms and fills each cavity, crevasse and void to create a sealed thermal envelope. BioBased Spray Foam Insulation creates a highly-efficient seal against air infiltration, the number one source of energy loss in a structure. This innovative insulation adheres to any clean, dry surface and will not sag, settle or disintegrate.

BioBased Spray Foam Insulation also is an inert substance and will not support mold growth, insects or rodents. It also does not breakdown over time, so it creates a sealed interior that blocks harmful outside irritants.

6. How does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation save consumers money?
While the initial cost of installing BioBased Spray Foam Insulation may be higher than traditional insulation, the savings in monthly utility bills outweighs the extra cost and results in a positive cash flow. When paired with other responsible building components, BioBased Insulation can reduce monthly energy bills by up to 50%.

As an example, using BioBased Spray Foam Insulation may increase your monthly mortgage by $15, but decrease your monthly utility bills by $65, providing a net savings of $50 each month.

Because BioBased Spray Foam Insulation creates a continuous, sealed thermal envelope around your home or structure, in many cases, you also can save additional money by reducing the required size of the HVAC (heating and air conditioning) unit.

7. How does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation control indoor air quality and comfort?
BioBased Spray Foam Insulation provides a healthier, draft-free, indoor environment. Because BioBased Spray Foam Insulation expands to fill every cavity, crevasse and void, it provides a sealed thermal envelope that does not sag or settle over time. This improves indoor air quality by blocking harmful outside irritants such as mold, pollen and other allergens and offers an alternative to fibrous particulates which are attributed to many traditional insulation products.

This sealed envelope gives the HVAC system full control over the amount and filtration of fresh air coming into the structure in addition to reducing drafts and temperature differences throughout the building. A sealed envelope can also reduce the amount of airborne noise pollution entering the home.

8. How does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation control moisture movement and condensation?
A significant cause of moisture issues in structures is the result of warm, moist inside air being exchanged with cold, dry air inside a wall cavity. This moisture can condense within the cavity and result in mold, mildew and rot. Because BioBased 501 Spray Foam and BioBased 1701 Spray Foam air seal, this moisture movement and subsequent condensation potential is greatly minimized.

9. How long does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation last?
Indefinitely. As an inert, thermoset plastic, BioBased Spray Foam Insulation will maintain its properties throughout the life of the building.

10. How long does it take for BioBased Insulation to cure?
BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation will cure in approximately 17 seconds as it expands to 100 times its liquid volume. BioBased 1701 Spray Foam Insulation will cure in approximately 2 minutes and expands to 60 times its liquid volume.

11. What is the R-Value of BioBased Spray Foam Insulation per inch?
The R-value of BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation is 3.83/inch. BioBased 1701 Spray Foam Insulation has and R-value of 5.5/inch.

12. What is the flame spread and smoke development of BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation?
BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation has a flame spread of <25, and a smoke development of <450. BioBased 501 Spray Foam is a Class 1 fire-rated material.

13. Does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation adhere to metal or wood studs?
BioBased Spray Foam Insulation adheres well to almost any material, especially wood and steel studs, which are commonly found in residential and commercial construction.

14. Can BioBased Spray Foam Insulation be sprayed over electrical wiring?
BioBased Spray Foam insulation does not pose any issues with electrical wiring as long as the electrical wiring is installed per National Electric Code. Any overheating issues with BioBased Spray Foam insulation in regards to wiring would be directly related to improper installation of the circuit or the size of the wiring. Polyurethane foam is chemically compatible with electrical wiring plastic.

15. What happens if the owners want to add an electrical outlet once BioBased Spray Foam Insulation is installed?
BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation remains soft, allowing a certified electrical contractor to pull a new wire through. For wires that may be moved frequently, such as home theater wiring, ENT conduit should be place in the wall before the Spray Foam insulation is installed.

16. Are there any compatibility concerns with other building materials?
BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation is stable in the presence of most solvents found in binders, bituminous materials, wood preservatives and sealers. It is resistant to facers containing plasticizers, fuel, mineral oil, weak acid and weak bases, which are typically found in residential and commercial construction materials.

17. Does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation support bacteria of fungal growth?
No, BioBased Spray Foam Insulation products are inert substances that do not provide a food source for mold.

18. Does BioBased Spray Foam Insulation contain formaldehyde?
No.

19. Since BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation is made from soybeans, do rodents and insects eat the insulation?
No. BioBased Spray Foam Insulation is an inert substance and provides no food value for rodents and insects.

20. How is BioBased Insulation installed?
BioBased Spray Foam Insulation is installed by independent certified contractors. Application takes place after the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems are installed, but before sheetrock is started.

21. Can homeowners install BioBased Spray Foam Insulation themselves?
No, only trained professionals can install BioBased Spray Foam Insulation because of the sophisticated equipment needed to install it properly. BioBased Spray Foam Insulation trains its independent certified installers to ensure that products are properly installed.

22. How can I purchase BioBased Spray Foam Insulation for my home?
BioBased Spray Foam Insulation is rapidly expanding its global network of independent certified installers. There are currently 120 independent certified installers across the country and in four foreign countries. If you are interested in having our insulation installed in a home or business, call BioBased Insulation at (800) 803-5189 to find the independent certified installer nearest you.

23. Who named BioBased 501Spray Foam Insulation "Outstanding Green Product of the Year?"
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) named BioBased 501 Spray Foam Insulation the "Outstanding Green Product of the Year" in 2003 at its Green Builders Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

24. Do the BioBased Spray Foam Insulation B-Components contain raw materials derived from genetically modified (GM) soybeans?
Yes. All of our soy oils come from soybean processors who purchase soybeans on the open market. According to USDA figures for 2007, 91% of all soybeans produced in the United States are genetically modified (GM) for herbicide resistance.

The main benefits of using GM soybeans are that they are readily available and affordable, because they cost farmers less to grow. There are environmental benefits also. Since farmers of GM soybeans use conservation tillage practices, it takes less fuel, produces less carbon dioxide emissions and creates less soil erosion to grow the crop than it would to grow non-modified soybeans.

25. What is Energy Star?
ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. One step of the Energy Star Certification process is a Thermal Bypass Check list. BioBased Insulation covers 13 of the 16 items listed on this checklist.

26. What is LEED?
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Members of the U.S. Green Building Council representing all segments of the building industry developed LEED and continue to contribute to its evolution. BioBased Insulation has been used by builders in the past to assist in qualifying for up to 16 LEED credits.

27. Where is BioBased Insulation located?
Our corporate headquarters are located at 1315 N. 13th Street Rogers, AR 72756.