Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How long has BioBased® Insulation been around?
  2. What is BioBased® 501w?
  3. What is BioBased® 1701s?
  4. What is the difference between open-cell and closed-cell foams?
  5. What makes BioBased® Insulation so effective?
  6. How does BioBased® Insulation save consumers money?
  7. How does BioBased® Insulation control indoor air quality and comfort?
  8. How does BioBased® Insulation control moisture movement and condensation?
  9. How long does BioBased® Insulation last?
  10. How long does it take for BioBased® Insulation to cure?
  11. Will BioBased® Insulation burn?
  12. What is the flame spread and smoke development of BioBased® Insulation?
  13. Does BioBased® Insulation adhere to metal or wood studs?
  14. Can BioBased® Insulation be sprayed over electrical wiring?
  15. What happens if the owners want to add an electrical outlet once BioBased® Insulation is installed?
  16. Are there any compatibility concerns with other building materials?
  17. Does BioBased® Insulation support bacteria of fungal growth?
  18. Does BioBased® Insulation contain any formaldehyde?
  19. Since BioBased® Insulation is made from soybeans, do rodents and insects eat the insulation?
  20. How is BioBased® Insulation installed?
  21. Can homeowners install BioBased® Insulation themselves?
  22. How can I purchase BioBased® Insulation for my home?
  23. Who named BioBased® 501s “Outstanding Green Product of the Year?”
  24. Do the BioBased Insulation B-Components contain raw materials derived from genetically modified (GM) soybeans?
  25. What is Energy Star?
  26. What is LEED?
  27. Where is BioBased® Insulation located?
  28. Who should I contact if I am interested in becoming a dealer of BioBased® Insulation?

Answers

1. How long has BioBased® Insulation been around?
Polyurethane spray foam has been around for more than 30 years. BioBased® Insulation began operation in 2003 with the commitment to help create a healthier, more durable, energy efficient and environmentally responsible insulation. Our focus as a company is to develop a family of sustainable building products that perform well and benefit the environment.

2. What is BioBased® 501w?
BioBased® 501w is an open-cell, semi-rigid foam insulation. It is sprayed-in-place as a two-part polyurethane. Once applied, it expands to 100 times its original size and provides a sealed, thermal building envelope. BioBased® 501w, like all BioBased® Insulation products, was formulated with the environment in mind and utilizes annually renewable resources to replace some of the petroleum in the product. The product also is water-blown, which means it does not contain CFCs or HCFCs.

3. What is BioBased® 1701s?
BioBased® 1701s is the first water-blown, closed-cell foam in the industry. Typical closed-cell foams use either CFCs or HCFCs as a blowing agent. BioBased® 1701s offers all of the advantages of BioBased® 501w as well as having vapor retarding properties which can be beneficial in certain construction applications. Because of its rigidity, BioBased® 1701s can provide additional structural support to a building, which can be particularly beneficial in hurricane-prone areas.

4. What is the difference between open-cell and closed-cell foams?

Both open-cell and closed-cell foams stop the movement of air and slow down the transfer of heat. In climate zones 6-8 a vapor retarder system may be required on the warm side of the insulation relative to the design of the wall or ceiling system. Closed-cell foams, on the other hand, have low vapor permeance due to their cell structure. These foams, depending on thickness, may be considered a vapor retarder but not a vapor barrier. Closed-cell foams also have a high compressive strength which allows them to be used for exterior applications.

Open-cell foam should never be used for exterior applications. Open-cell foams are more cost effective per unit of R-value than closed-cell foams but do not provide the structural contribution to a building that closed-cell foams do.

Please work with your local independent certified BioBased® installer to determine which product works best for your specific application.

5. What makes BioBased® Insulation so effective?
BioBased® Insulation is so effective because it is applied as a liquid and expands multiple its original liquid size in seconds. As it expands, it conforms and fills each cavity, crevasse and void to create a sealed thermal envelope. BioBased® Insulation creates a highly-efficient seal against air infiltration, the number one source of energy loss in a structure.  This innovative insulation adheres to any clean, dry surface and will not sag, settle or disintegrate.

BioBased® Insulation also is an inert substance and will not promote mold growth, insects or rodents. It also does not breakdown over time, so it creates a sealed interior that blocks harmful outside irritants.

6. How does BioBased® Insulation save consumers money?
While the initial cost of installing BioBased® Insulation may be higher than traditional insulation, the savings in monthly utility bills outweighs the extra cost and results in a positive cash flow. When paired with other responsible building components, BioBased® Insulation can reduce monthly heating and cooling bills by up to 50% when compared to traditionally insulated homes.

As an example, using BioBased® Insulation may increase your monthly mortgage by $15, but decrease your monthly utility bills by $65, providing a net savings of $50 each month.
Because BioBased® Insulation creates a continuous, sealed thermal envelope around your home or structure, in many cases, you also can save additional money by reducing the required size of the HVAC (heating and air conditioning) unit.

7. How does BioBased® Insulation control indoor air quality and comfort?
BioBased® Insulation provides a healthier, draft-free, indoor environment. Because BioBased® Insulation expands to fill every cavity, crevasse and void, it provides a sealed thermal envelope that does not sag or settle over time. This improves indoor air quality by blocking harmful outside irritants such as mold, pollen and other allergens and offers an alternative to fibrous particulates which are attributed to many traditional insulation products. 

This sealed envelope gives the HVAC system full control over the amount and filtration of fresh air coming into the structure in addition to reducing drafts and temperature differences throughout the building. A sealed envelope can also reduce the amount of airborne noise pollution entering the home.

8. How does BioBased® Insulation control moisture movement and condensation?
A significant cause of moisture issues in structures is the result of warm, moist inside air being exchanged with cold, dry air inside a wall cavity. This moisture can condense within the cavity and result in mold, mildew and rot. Because BioBased® 501w and BioBased® 1701s air seal, this moisture movement and subsequent condensation potential is greatly minimized.

9. How long does BioBased® Insulation last?
Indefinitely. As an inert, thermoset plastic, BioBased® Insulation will maintain its properties throughout the life of the building. .

10. How long does it take for BioBased® Insulation to cure?
BioBased® 501w will cure in approximately 17 seconds as it expands to 100 times its liquid volume. BioBased® 1701s will cure in approximately 2 minutes and expands to 30 times its liquid volume.

11. What is the R-Value of BioBased® Insulation?
BioBased® 501w has an R-value of 13 at 3.5 inches. BioBased® 1701s has an R-value 18 at 3.5 inches.

12. Will BioBased® Insulation burn?
Both BioBased® 501w and BioBased 1701s are Class 1 fire rated. It will char but will not sustain a flame.

13. Does BioBased® Insulation adhere to metal or wood studs?
BioBased® Insulation adheres well to almost any material, especially wood and steel studs, which are commonly found in residential and commercial construction.

14. Can BioBased® Insulation be sprayed over electrical wiring?
BioBased® Insulation does not pose any issues with electrical wiring as long as the electrical wiring is installed per National Electric Code. Any overheating issues with BioBased® Insulation in regards to wiring would be directly related to improper installation of the circuit or the size of the wiring. Polyurethane foam is compatible with electrical wiring plastic.

15. What happens if the owners want to add an electrical outlet once BioBased® Insulation is installed?
A certified electrical contractor can pull wire through BioBased® Insulation. For wires that may be moved frequently, such as home theater wiring, ENT conduit should be place in the wall before the insulation is installed.

16. Are there any compatibility concerns with other building materials?
BioBased® Insulation is stable in the presence of most solvents found in binders, bituminous materials, wood preservatives and sealers. It is resistant to facers containing plasticizers, fuel, mineral oil, weak acid and weak bases, which are typically found in residential and commercial construction materials.

17. Does BioBased® Insulation support bacteria of fungal growth?
No, BioBased® Insulation products are inert substances that do not provide a food source for mold.

18. Does BioBased® Insulation contain formaldehyde?
No.

19. Since BioBased® Insulation is made from soybeans, do rodents and insects eat the insulation?
No. BioBased® Insulation is an inert substance and provides no food value for rodents and insects.

20. How is BioBased® Insulation installed?
BioBased® Insulation is installed by independent certified contractors. Application takes place after the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems are installed, but before sheetrock is started.

21. Can homeowners install BioBased® Insulation themselves?
No, only trained professionals can install BioBased® Insulation because of the sophisticated equipment needed to install it properly. BioBased® Insulation trains its independent certified installers to ensure that products are properly installed.

22. How can I purchase BioBased® Insulation for my home?
BioBased® Insulation is rapidly expanding its global network of independent certified installers. There are currently 120 independent certified installers across the country and in four foreign countries. If you are interested in having our insulation installed in a home or business, call BioBased® Insulation at (800) 803-5189 to find the independent certified installer nearest you.

23. Who named BioBased® 501w "Outstanding Green Product of the Year?"
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) named BioBased® 501w the "Outstanding Green Product of the Year" in 2003 at its Green Builders Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

24. Do the BioBased® Insulation B-Components contain raw materials derived from genetically modified (GM) soybeans?
Yes. All of our soy oils come from soybean processors who purchase soybeans on the open market. According to USDA figures for 2007, 91% of all soybeans produced in the United States are genetically modified (GM) for herbicide resistance.

The main benefits of using GM soybeans are that they are readily available and affordable, because they cost farmers less to grow. There are environmental benefits also. Since farmers of GM soybeans use conservation tillage practices, it takes less fuel, produces less carbon dioxide emissions and creates less soil erosion to grow the crop than it would to grow non-modified soybeans.

25. What is Energy Star?
ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. One step of the Energy Star Certification process is a Thermal Bypass Check list. BioBased® Insulation covers 13 of the 16 items listed on this checklist.

26. What is LEED?
The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Members of the U.S. Green Building Council representing all segments of the building industry developed LEED and continue to contribute to its evolution. BioBased Insulation has been used by builders in the past to assist in qualifying for up to 16 LEED credits.

27. Where is BioBased® Insulation located?
Our corporate headquarters are located at 1315 N. 13th Street Rogers, AR 72756.

28. Who should I contact if I am interested in becoming a dealer of BioBased® Insulation?
Please contact BioBased® Insulation headquarters by mail: 1315 N. 13th Street Rogers, AR 72756; by phone: (800) 803-5189; or by e-mail: info@biobased.net.