VERSIFOAM® LATEST NEWS

spray foam needed for boat flotation
Monday, July 29 2019 / Published in News
If you are a boat owner, you need to be aware of boat flotation. Closed cell foam is an ideal product to use for buoyancy, and VersiFoam® is one of the easiest closed cell foam kits to use for this purpose. 
 
A boat’s job is to float. The US Coast Guard requires that all boats under 20 feet in length provide level flotation. Level flotation means that if the boat is swamped it will float level and upright, which means that the flotation product must be distributed symmetrically. 
 
The Boatbuilder’s Handbook is published by the United States Coast Guard. Subparts F, G, and H deal with flotation requirements. The document addresses the federal regulations for boat manufacturers and is intended to help them comply with marine flotation requirements.
 
Recreational boats 20 feet and smaller are required to leave the manufacturer with foam flotation. However, there are no laws prohibiting owners from removing the flotation material. If the flotation foam is removed and the boat is sold to a new owner, they may not realize that it lacks the proper safety flotation.
 
Check your boat if you purchased it used, and consider how much weight it needs to support. Has that changed since the boat was new? Do you have a heavier motor?  Do you require the foam to fill unusually-shaped cavities? Answering these questions can ensure that you are using enough of the best flotation product available. 
 
In its excellent fact sheet, “Buoyancy in Boats”, the state government of Victoria in Australia says, “A prime function of a boat is to provide buoyancy to its occupants. A boat should float on the surface, even if it is flooded, swamped, or has capsized. Ideally, the boat will stay upright, even if full of water, and will support its own weight plus the motors and occupants. This is referred to as level flotation.” They say that, even though there are other options, boat cavities “are best filled with closed-cell foam that is designed for marine use.”
 
This is something you can do yourself with VersiFoam®. It’s definitely better than using “noodles” for boat flotation as some suggest. Closed cell foam is less susceptible than most other products to moisture intrusion. In case of leakage, closed cell foam absorbs less water than open cell foam. Our closed cell foam kits meet the U.S. Coast Guard’s specifications for marine flotation.

If you still have questions, check out our page on marine flotation
for more information about foam safety and application. Afterward, give us a call at +1 (800) 657-0702 or contact one of our distributors to purchase the best spray foam kit for your maritime needs.
hvac insulation
Tuesday, July 02 2019 / Published in News

Spray foam insulation kits are a convenient, economical way to insulate your commercial or residential HVAC system, increasing your level of comfort and saving money at the same time.

The purpose of an HVAC system is to regulate the temperature and quality of indoor air. It creates an artificial climate in an enclosed space. Since people today spend most of their time indoors, the effectiveness of the HVAC system is very important to their overall well-being and productivity. In addition to the human resource impacts, there are ecological factors to take into account. HVAC systems are large users of energy in commercial buildings. If they aren’t operating at peak efficiency, it will cost more to keep everyone in the building comfortable and property owners, tenants, and the environment will suffer.

One aspect of maintaining an efficient HVAC system is ensuring that it is insulated properly.There are several ways to do this, but we believe the best is with spray foam insulation. If you want to reduce movement, reduce moisture, and uphold the integrity of the building envelope, expanding polyurethane foam is an excellent way to seal HVAC penetrations in the walls, ceiling, and floors of a structure. VersiFoam® disposable foam kits easily and conveniently insulate the heating, ventilation, and cooling system of your building. The packages are self-contained and compact which means you can take the spray foam insulation kits into small areas without worry because you don’t need access to power or pressure in order to use them. Once applied, the product helps maintain temperature, eliminate condensation, and reduce vibration.

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system keeps your home or office comfortable. It’s also creates openings through which drafts can enter the interior space and reduce your comfort level. Sealing those openings with spray foam insulation will prevent air from seeping in and out of your building and save money in the long run.

Explore our spray foam video library
Thursday, May 23 2019 / Published in News

We wanted the new VersiFoam website to give our customers and potential customers access to the best product information possible for polyurethane spray foam insulation. So, one of the features we have included is a video library where you can find our how-to, safety, and troubleshooting videos all in one place. If you set aside 30 minutes, you can watch all of the videos in one session and be prepared to begin your residential or commercial insulation project right away.

We recommend you begin with the first video at the top of the page. It is a higher level overview of the VersiFoam product and how to apply it it. You’ll get an introduction to the correct safety equipment and how to wear it. Then, an experienced professional will demonstrate the application process from beginning to end, including how to treat the canisters and how to get the level of thickness you desire. You’ll also get an introduction to our patented U-Control Dispenser and see how the speed of the flow is controlled by the trigger. Toward the end, there is a short demonstration of caulking gaps and filling large voids.

If you know the size of the kit that you’ll need for your project — large, medium, or small — you can skip immediately to that video. If you are unsure, visit our product pages for area coverage or watch all three how-to videos for visual demonstrations of their size and use. 

Videos for Large, Medium, and Small Spray Foam Kits

The how-to for large kits uses the System 50 for illustrative purposes. You will get a close up look at all items included in the kit including a detailed look at the kit assembly. The demonstrator clearly shows and explains the simple step-by-step process of connecting the hoses to the tanks and testing the flow of the chemicals. Because the temperature of the chemicals is critical to the proper installation of the foam, you will see how to use the temperature strips to ensure that the foam is the right temperature for use. Watch this video if you know you are using a large kit with two tanks.

The how-to for medium kits uses the System 15 for illustrative purposes. It includes all of the same training information that is in the large kit how-to video, but the demonstrations are specific to medium sized kits. This gives you an opportunity to see how your kit will behave during use.
The demonstration for the small kit how-to uses the System 1. The way that the dispensing device, nozzles, and tubing are used is different than the larger kits and this difference is clearly explained. The System 1 is designed to be used up on the same day that it is opened.

All VersiFoam systems are low pressure products. As such they require specific protective equipment which includes chemical resistant safety goggles, chemical resistant protective clothing to prevent skin exposure, chemical resistant nitrile gloves, and a respirator which is approved by the National Institute of Safety and Health. The choice of respirator depends on which system you are using and under what circumstances. All of this is clearly explained and demonstrated in the video on safety equipment, which discusses each of the types of masks and when you should be using them. It also demonstrates how to fit and wear a full mask respirator and what to do if you haven’t achieved a complete seal.

Product Troubleshooting Video Library

Even with the best of preparation, sometimes the application doesn’t go exactly as planned. If that happens to you, it’s time to view the video on Product Troubleshooting. However, we recommend that you watch it before beginning with your first experience using VersiFoam. The troubleshooting instructions are useful for preventing problems before they start. For example, the color of the foam will help you determine if all conditions are right. The foam should be light beige in color. It will be tacky in about 30 seconds and firm to the touch and fully cured in 20 minutes. If too much chemical from canister A is dispensed, the foam will be darker in color and have a crunchy, dark surface. If too much chemical from canister B is dispensed, the foam will be almost white and spongy. If you see either of these conditions, stop and take a minute to watch the video and learn how to troubleshoot the situation. There may be a problem with the temperature of one of the canisters or one of the valves may not be fully opened. Keep in mind that for maximum coverage, the temperature of the working surface should be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Finally, when you are finished for the day, remove the mixing nozzle and apply petroleum jelly to front of gun. Then close the valves and use petroleum jelly on the valve opening. A short two minutes of your time watching the “Shutdown & Storage” video will show you everything you need to know about safely concluding your insulation project. Our video library also includes a Spanish version of “Safety Equipment”, “Product Troubleshooting”, and “Shutdown & Storage.” We invite you to visit the library and see for yourself how easy it is to get started with VersiFoam spray foam insulation kits. 
how to go green
Thursday, May 02 2019 / Published in News

What do McDonald’s, Dell, Bank of America, and Honda have in common? As it turns out, they are taking the lead at the corporate level this year by incorporating eco-friendly practices and finding ways to go green. They are modeling something on a very large scale. But what about the average person? Have you ever wondered how to go green? Or maybe you want to take a few steps back and learn what it means to go green before you take your first action steps.

There is no agreed-upon definition of going green. In general, however, we talk about things like sustainability, energy efficiency, reducing, reusing, and recycling. The things that we as individuals have control over are conserving energy, reducing pollution, reducing waste, sourcing locally whenever possible, and using environmentally friendly products.

Ways to go green vary with the household, the location, and the resources available. Someone who is leasing property has fewer options than a property owner. A family living in Wisconsin will have different challenges with energy consumption than a family living in Florida. But, no matter what the individual situation there are a number of simple, inexpensive ideas that can have a big impact. In fact, if you google “how to go green”, you will have 10,450,000,000 results to choose from. Even if you only look at the results on page one, you’ll find lots of quick and easy ideas. Here are a few of them. 

How to Go Green

  1. Reduce your use of products that take up space in landfills. For example, instead of disposable plastic water bottles, you might consider using a non-disposable bottle that you refill when necessary.
  2. Replace incandescent light bulbs with cooler burning bulbs.
  3. Wash clothes in cold water and air dry when possible.
  4. Install a low-flow shower head and combine that with shorter showers.
  5. Walk or bike when possible, instead of driving. Use public transportation if it’s available.
  6. Set your thermostat slightly lower in the winter and slightly higher in the summer.
  7. If you are a property owner, insulate attics, basements, windows, and roofs.

At VersiFoam, we are strong supporters of an eco-friendly lifestyle. Nearly every article written on going green mentions ways to save energy. This is our niche. VersiFoam spray insulation keeps warm air inside during the winter and outside during the summer. Spray foam insulation saves energy, reduces the use of fossil fuels, and helps to reduce global warming gasses. In addition, we’ve developed an applicator that reduces waste — another green priority.

Going green also offers numerous benefits to you. For starters, many green practices lead to better health and a higher quality of life. Then there is the money you save, not only on your own energy costs but with potential tax savings. For example, you may qualify for a tax credit on energy-saving home improvements. Property owners can receive a credit of up to 10% of the purchase price of qualified products up to a maximum of $500.

If your eco-friendly plan includes better home insulation, VersiFoam® can help! Visit our dealer page to find a distributor near you.

A tight building envelope saves energy
Monday, April 01 2019 / Published in News

In our energy conscious world, much has been written about R values and net zero energy buildings. People differ on the methods and timeline for achieving environmental sustainability. However, most of us understand that reducing carbon gasses from fossil fuels needs to be a priority. One important step in this direction is ensuring that your home or commercial building has a tight building envelope.

What is the building envelope?

According to Wikipedia, the building envelope “is all of the elements of the outer shell that maintain a dry, heated, or cooled indoor environment and facilitate its climate control.” It is the system of components that protects against movement of air, moisture and heat. Or to put it another way, the physical construction that separates the conditioned areas inside a building from the unconditioned areas outside of the building. Contractors and builders pay attention to the building envelope during construction when they work to eliminate openings in the foundation, walls, and roof.

Why is it important?

The air barrier system within a building envelope is a critically important element for economic control of moisture, temperature regulation, and for preserving structural integrity. An inadequate barrier system will allow leakage of air through holes, cracks, and gaps. The end result is movement of air, moisture and heat between the conditioned and unconditioned environments. An inadequate barrier system will allow heat to flow through the home and between its surroundings by conduction, convection and radiation. Simply stated, heat will always flow from hot to cold resulting in increased energy costs wherever an inadequate barrier system is present.

When this occurs, rain, groundwater, and moisture vapor cause deterioration in the building’s structure. Uncontrolled air flow makes it too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. We become uncomfortable in our own homes. If you regularly describe your home as “too drafty”, your building envelope is probably not “tight” enough. A tight building envelope provides numerous benefits including a higher level of personal comfort, energy savings, cost savings, pest control, and fewer expensive repairs from moisture damage. The more airtight the building, the less energy it will use and the lower the cost will be for the property owners or their tenants.

What role does spray foam insulation play?

Spray foam insulation contributes to a better performing building envelope by completely sealing any gaps and crevices. This prevents air infiltration, moisture infiltration, and the intrusion of dirt and pollutants from the outdoors. The air barrier system of spray foam insulation is a critically important element for economic control of heat transfer. An inadequate barrier system will allow leakage of air through holes, leaks, cracks and gaps. This allows heat to flow through the structure and between its surroundings. VersiFoam provides an excellent barrier system that saves both money and energy.

5 reasons to use spray foam insulation in your building envelope:

  1. The application is quick, clean, and easy — especially if you choose VersiFoam with its patented U-Control dispenser
  2. It provides a better, longer lasting seal than other sealing products.
  3. It’s good for the environment. The energy loss from air leakage can be as much 40% in the average home. Spray foam insulation saves energy and reduces the use of fossil fuels, thereby helping to reduce global warming gasses.
  4. It absorbs noise from the outside and inhibits the transfer of sound between rooms.
  5. It’s the insulator of choice for house flippers such as The Property Brothers and Joanna Gaines.

Use VersiFoam spray foam insulation to seal and insulate around those leaky windows, doors, attics and other areas in your home. Your home or place of business will be healthier and last longer. And you will feel better and spend less money.

Versi-Foam launches new website
Wednesday, March 13 2019 / Published in News

Today we are very pleased and excited to announce the recent launch of our brand new VersiFoam website. The new site highlights each product in the VersiFoam line and makes product information easier to find and understand.

Richard Heitzer founded VersiFoam in 1981 after he developed the patented U-Control dispenser. The dispenser allows you to regulate the quantity and rate of spray foam insulation being dispensed. Today VersiFoam is used in dozens of applications including residential and commercial construction, marine flotation, movie props, cold storage, and vehicle insulation.

Here are few things to check out on the new website:

  1. The “Spray It, Don’t Pay It” Foam Insulation Calculator. Use this tool to accurately estimate the amount of spray foam you will need for your project. First, enter values for foam density, foam thickness, and square footage. Then click the “calculate” button to see how many VersiFoam spray kits you need to complete your job.
  2. Our “Pull The Trigger Now” Dealer Locator. Use our interactive map to find the VersiFoam dealer closest to you, or search by state or county. 
  3. Check Out The Tech Specs” is a new page that combines all our technical specification literature in one convenient location. For some products we have safety sheets available in both English and Spanish.
  4. The VersiFoam Video Collection. Here you can find how-to, trouble-shooting, and safety videos, as well as a VersiFoam product overview. 

We invite you to explore the entire VersiFoam website. We believe you will find it easier to navigate, easier to understand, and easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Spray Foam Insulation Reduces Labor Costs
Thursday, February 28 2019 / Published in News, Uncategorized

Among spray foam insulation products, VersiFoam is the easiest to use, the fastest to apply, the most portable solution, and it saves money. You don’t need an outside source of pressure or power. In addition, the patented dispensing gun is able to seal awkward spaces quickly and easily. These features reduce the amount of time it takes to complete an insulation job.

Every business that wants to stay in business must make a profit. Once you’ve been awarded a job, it’s important to complete the work cost effectively so that you can earn a profit. Accordingly, VersiFoam helps you by reducing the cost of labor and the cost of unproductive downtime with our simple 5-step application process.

To apply VersiFoam spray:

  • Step 1: Turn the tank valves to the on position.
  • Step 2: Click one of the nozzles into place on the dispensing gun.
  • Step 3: Disengage the safety.
  • Step 4: Point the dispensing gun at your spray foam target.
  • Step 5: Pull back on the handle and dispense the foam insulation.

Whether you’re working on a large construction build or a smaller home project, applying VersiFoam is just as easy as that. 

VersiFoam spray foam insulation kits are the most dependable solution for money-saving residential and commercial insulation projects. Labor is the highest cost of any project. Using VersiFoam spray insulation will increase the productivity of your workers and your bottom line.

Sound dampening with low pressure spray foam
Wednesday, January 30 2019 / Published in News

Effective sound dampening is one of the key concerns for residential and commercial construction contractors.

According to Grand View Research, “It has been observed that the human health and efficiency is highly related to the noise level in the work environment, which highlights the importance of sound barriers. Increasing concern for employee comfort levels has triggered the demand for noise cancelling materials in commercial buildings.”  They expect foam to dominate the industry through 2025.
 
In addition to comfort level and needing a quiet place to work, some professions require confidentiality and the assurance that their conversations will not be overheard. Protecting occupants from noise intrusion is a growing part of both the commercial construction industry and the residential construction industry. In fact, one of the recent luxury condo developments in Oconomowoc heavily promotes it’s construction methods which limit sound transfer between units.
 

VersiFoam® open cell formation spray foam is a cost effective, efficient way to dampen sound. It creates a barrier which absorbs noise, inhibits the transfer of sound between rooms and reduces noise that enters the building from the outside. The spray foam works because sound is airborne and the foam reduces the air space through which the sound can travel. This brings value to the building for the end user. The additional value can be expected to increase revenue for both the owner and the contractor.

 

Finding the right low pressure spray foam insulation kit for your residential or commercial construction project is key to the health and satisfaction of your clients. To locate a distributor or receive more product information, call us today at 1-800-657-0702 or contact us here online.
Industrial construction site
Friday, August 03 2018 / Published in News, Uncategorized

The United States Department of Transportation has a new shipping classification for the VersiFoam low-pressure spray polyurethane foam systems. The prior product description fell under: UN1956 Compressed Gas, N.O.S. (Fluorinated Hydrocarbon, Nitrogen). The new product classification for shipping by all modes of transportation (road, air, and vessel) will be as follows: UN3500 Chemical Under Pressure, N.O.S. (Fluorinated Hydrocarbon, Nitrogen).

As part of these regulatory changes, additional packaging requirements dictate that “the cylinders must not be offered for transport when connected with spray application equipment such as a hose and wand assembly.” Beginning May 1, 2014 all VersiFoam medium size kits (9, 9SR, CL9, 15, 15SR, CL15, 10, 31) will be shipped with the gun/hose assembly detached within the box, rather than already attached to the tanks.  Going forward, each medium size kit will be equipped with a wrench for the user to properly secure the hose fittings to the tanks.

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