Roofs, and particularly flat ones, face unique issues when dealing with sudden downpours. Builders are discovering sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) can contend with the ‘new normal’ extreme weather that is being witnessed.
Tag: SPF
Using SPF insulation in zero-net energy buildings
(01/05/2018)
Use of two-pound, medium-density closed-cell sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) is growing rapidly in commercial structures. Utilization of the material has been fuelled in large part by its ability to seal the structure and, in...
Making a case for sprayfoam in the unvented attic
(10/17/2017)
Unvented attics have been designed and constructed for some 30 years. They are referred to by various names, including conditioned attics, semi-conditioned attics, indirectly conditioned attics, hot roofs, and compact roofs.
Evolution in sprayed polyurethane foam
(04/18/2017)
Growing up in a small town in Northern Ontario, this author was exposed to only one true rivalry—the one between the Montréal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Choosing SPF as an effective air barrier component
(10/14/2016)
With varying degrees of detail and prescription, Canadian building codes—regardless of the model code—require all buildings to be provided with an air barrier. Where the language is more performance-oriented, such as in Part 5...
Reducing the operational energy use and increasing durability should be the prime concerns of architects who wish to design and build ‘green’ buildings,” wrote John Straube, PhD, P.Eng., principal at RDH Building Science and...
In Canada, products approved for use as a thermal barrier for foamed plastic must pass either CAN4-S124-M, Standard Method of Test for the Evaluation of Protective Coverings for Foamed Plastics, or CAN/ULC-S101, Standard Methods...
Sprayfoam in the Attic: When is venting appropriate?
(05/25/2014)
For decades, designers of attics and crawlspaces have used cross-ventilation to minimize potential for moisture accumulation and condensation. However, spurred by recent claims of energy savings and moisture control, unvented attics have become popular...
The effective specification and installation of all types of thermal insulation requires an understanding of the factors affecting performance. The specification of a thermal resistance (RSI or R-value) alone does not ensure the intended...
A focus on green building standards and more stringent code requirements has led to adoption of best practices in construction materials and methods. Among those is specifying more efficient insulation systems, air barriers, and...
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Construction Canada weekly newsletters give the latest AEC industry news for those who build, design, engineer, specify, renovate or operate in the built environment.
Popular Articles
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
Read the Latest Issue
May 2025