Open Cell vs. Closed Cell Spray Foam in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Elite Spray Foam sprays both types. The right one depends on the job, not on one being better.
Closed-cell is the dense option: about R-6 to R-7 per inch, moisture resistant, and it stiffens framing. Expect $2.50 to $5.50 per square foot in Atlanta.
Open-cell is lighter and expands much more: about R-3.5 to R-3.8 per inch, vapor permeable, and a strong air seal and sound absorber at $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.
Cavity depth, water exposure and drying needs usually decide it. Here is which parts of an Atlanta home suit which.
Why Choose Atlanta Elite Spray Foam?
- 15 years of spray foam experience
- Full space assessment before every job
- Open-cell and closed-cell foam options
- Proper air sealing and surface prep
- Residential and commercial experience
- Attic, crawl space, wall, and basement applications
- Metal building and pole barn expertise
- Insured, trained crews
- Clear, upfront estimates
- Service across metro Atlanta
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Which Spray Foam Fits Your Atlanta Home?
The Basic Difference
Closed-cell foam packs sealed cells filled with a gas that out-insulates air, which explains its R-value, moisture resistance and rigidity. The DOE guide to choosing spray foam lays out density, R-value and moisture behavior for both types.
Open-cell has broken, air-filled cells. It swells far more, fills odd cavities, and stays soft and permeable.
R-Value and Cavity Depth
- Closed-cell: about R-6 to R-7 per inch
- Open-cell: about R-3.5 to R-3.8 per inch
A 2x4 wall holds about three and a half inches: roughly R-21 in closed-cell, R-13 in open-cell.
So a shallow cavity needing higher R-value requires closed-cell. A deep one often reaches the same number cheaper with open-cell.
Moisture
Closed-cell sheds water and, at enough thickness, acts as a vapor retarder. It belongs in crawl spaces, rim joists, basement walls and anything near the ground.
Open-cell lets moisture through. That hurts in the wrong spot and helps in the right one, because an assembly that can dry is more forgiving.
Atlanta humidity usually settles the choice, so nearly all our crawl space jobs use closed-cell.
Air Sealing and Sound
Both seal air well, which is where most real-world savings come from.
Open-cell absorbs airborne noise better, so it suits interior walls, media rooms and floors between stories. It also fills uneven framing in older intown homes more completely.
Structure and Weight
Closed-cell stiffens walls against racking, useful on metal buildings and pole barns (see our garage, pole barn and metal building page). Its extra weight can matter on an underbuilt roof deck.
Which Foam Goes Where
- Crawl space: closed-cell, for moisture resistance
- Rim joists: closed-cell
- Basement walls: closed-cell
- Attic roof deck: either, based on assembly and budget
- Shallow exterior wall cavities: closed-cell to reach the R-value
- Exterior walls with depth to spare: open-cell is often better value
- Interior walls for sound: open-cell
- Metal buildings: closed-cell
Plenty of homes get both, each area matched to its need.
What It Costs in Practice
Closed-cell runs about $1 more per sq ft at the bottom of the range and $2 more at the top, real money across a house.
The fair test is cost to hit a set R-value in a set cavity. On that basis the gap narrows sharply and in shallow cavities reverses. Our cost breakdown shows pricing by area.
Get the Right Foam Specified
We specify foam area by area, not one type throughout for convenience. Free on-site estimates. Call (770) 501-6922.
Atlanta Elite Spray Foam covers metro Atlanta: Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Cumming, Woodstock, Canton, Kennesaw, Marietta, Lawrenceville, McDonough, Peachtree City, Newnan and nearby towns.
Comfort and Efficiency, Sealed Tight — For Atlanta-Area Homes and Businesses