About this episode

Matt Risinger examines the realities of spray foam insulation, addressing misconceptions and comparing it with other insulation types.

Matt Risinger takes a balanced, evidence-based look at spray foam insulation, separating common misconceptions from practical building science. He compares open-cell and closed-cell spray foam, explains where each performs best, and discusses topics including air sealing, vapor control, indoor air quality, installation risks, and long-term durability. Matt also explores how spray foam compares with fiberglass, mineral wool, and other insulation options, while outlining situations where hybrid insulation assemblies make more sense. Rather than promoting or dismissing spray foam, he focuses on proper installation, climate-specific design, and choosing the right insulation strategy for high-performance homes. This episode is presented without a sponsor to provide an unbiased discussion.

People in this episode

Host: Matt Risinger

Topics covered

• spray foam insulation
• building science
• air sealing
• vapor control
• indoor air quality
• insulation options
• installation risks

Keywords

• spray foam insulation
• open-cell foam
• closed-cell foam
• air sealing
• vapor control
• indoor air quality
• insulation strategies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: high-performance homes

Products: spray foam insulation, fiberglass, mineral wool

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