About EcoFoam Insulation For New & Existing Homes
Providing insulation solutions in Sydney and Surrounds to new and existing homes for over 35 years
EcoFoam’s history spans back over 35 years. Operating as Foamed Insulations Pty Ltd, the company has been operating in Australia providing customised insulation solutions mainly to commercial and industrial clients over this time. Specialising in Polyurethane foam, the company has pioneered the use of Polyurethane foam spray and injection for a variety of applications.
Foamed Insulations Pty Ltd began installing EcoFoam in the early 1980’s. The product was mainly used commercially for thermal and acoustic insulation in offices and buildings but in recent years the need was seen for a dedicated residential division which could cater to the ever increasing requirements for energy saving, efficiency and emission reduction.
EcoFoam as a dedicated residential installer was born.
History
The use of foam insulation made from urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins dates to the mid 1930s and saw extensive commercial development in the 1950s, however, the original chemistry dates back to 1828, with the synthesis of urea, and its polymerization into plastics in 1886. As such, UF chemistry represents one of the oldest, and most well known “plastic” polymers that are still in use today.
EcoFoam Plastic Foams are based on kiln-dried urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins, which were introduced into the marketplace in the early 1980s. Kiln-drying removes free formaldehyde and stabilises the resin into a dry powder. These types of resins are widely used in the laminate industry where materials with lower off-gassing characteristics are desired. Because kiln-dried resins are more stable, and contain less formaldehyde than conventional liquid resins, the products proved suitable for marketing to the foam insulation industry.
The dry EcoFoam materials are mixed with water before use, and sprayed as a water-based mixture of resin solution and three-part liquid catalyst with the addition of compressed air. The fully-expanded foam mixture sets within 40-60 seconds, making a light-weight foam resembling shaving cream which is self-supporting up to a vertical height of 6m. After the initial setting period, the foam cures by simply drying as contained moisture is released to the outside. The physical properties of these foams offer superior thermal resistance and acoustical attenuation at low cost and offer a good alternative to similar products such as polyurethane, cellulose, pearlite, polystyrene, and foams based on liquid UF resins.