The History of Spray Foam Insulation
The History of Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation has been used for several decades, but didn't emerge in home construction as a common insulation material until the 1980s. This brief history will allow you to have a better understanding of the widely used foam insulation.
Invention of Polyurethane Foam
The creation of polyurethane foam can be traced back to Otto Bayer, a German industrial chemist, who developed this technology in the late 1930s. By the 1940s, polyurethane foam was brought to the United States by the president of Mobay, a war effort conglomerate of two chemical industry giants, Monsanto and Bayer Corporation. The foam was primarily used for military and aviation applications.
The Rise of Home Insulation Application
In 1953, an invention called the “Blendometer” was the beginning of the rise of home insulation applications. This machine had the capability to blend chemical components that created polyurethane foam that expands. The process the blendometer utilized was manual, as the tilting trays of chemicals mixed the foam.
Over the next several decades, advancements were made to the Blendometer. Inventor, Fred Gusmer, built upon the existing polyurethane foam machine and created the first dedicated spray foam machine in 1963. Due to the energy crisis in the 1970s, people were searching for a more energy-efficient solution to insulate their homes. Thus, the rise and need for spray foam insulation began and stuck.
Today, spray foam insulation maintains its popularity due to its many beneficial qualities, such as its R-value standards, which are used to rate energy efficiency, as well as its moisture resistance and durability.
If you’re interested in installing spray foam insulation in your home, barn, or commercial space, Spray Foam Solutions offers a team of experts to help serve your insulation needs. For more information about our services, contact us today.
