Bathroom Insulation and Ventilation
Closed-cell and Open-Cell Spray Foam
These are the two kinds of spray-foam insulation.
Open-cell SPF is the lighter, less dense option; it is the cheaper of the two but has less insulating power (or a lower R-value). Open cell is not a good option to use in wet or moist areas as it can act like a sponge and actually retain moisture.
Closed-cell SPF is denser and more expensive, it provides a more rigid support to certain structures, actually teasing things together. Closed-cell SPF is less permeable, and can be used as a water vapor barrier.
Installing Bathroom Vent Hood – Seal around pipe
Air Leakage
Air leaks are areas of warm air leaking into your home during the summer and out of your home during the winter. Air leaks typically occur in the same spots on most houses. Spray foam has the potential to tackle air leakages better than many other insulation available.
Spray foam fills cavities and blocks small holes that create air leaks in the buildings building envelope and as a result, is an effective vapor barrier and air leak sealer.
Installing A Bathroom Vent
Now that we have discussed insulation, lets talk ventilation, since the two go hand in hand. The most important factor in a bathroom shower fan is its ability to remove moisture. A properly installed bathroom fan will remove moisture and decrease the humidity in your house.
High humidity damages wall and structure materials as well as causes the growth of mold. Mold can negatively affect your health.
When bathroom humidity builds up, warm moisture-laden air moves toward cooler wall surfaces, where it condenses back into water. Moist air can also work its way into a wall cavity and condense inside the wall. Both situations can result in mold, odors, and sometimes structural damage.
Moisture will also peel off wallpaper or paint. Seeing or smelling , mold and mildew is a good indicator that you have a high moisture problem. The only effective way to prevent mold is to attempt to keep indoor moisture levels low. A properly vented bathroom shower ventilation fan can avoid this problem.
