Cementitious foam insulation is a cement-based thermal and acoustic insulation, with an R-value similar to that of

fiberglass Fiberglass (American English) or fibreglass (English in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth English) is a common type of fibre-reinforced plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened i ...

. It is installed as a foam with a consistency like

shaving cream Shaving cream or shave cream is a category of cream cosmetics used for shaving preparation. The purpose of shaving cream is to soften the hair by providing lubrication. Different types of shaving creams include aerosol shaving cream (also kn ...

, or as pre-cast slabs. The current cost is similar to that of

polyurethane Polyurethane (; often abbreviated PUR and PU) is a class of polymers composed of organic chemistry, organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. In contrast to other common polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene, polyurethane term ...

foams. Unlike many foam-in-place

foams, it is nonflammable and non-toxic. As it is water-based, it offgasses water vapour while curing, requiring ventilation and in some cases a dehumidifier. It cures more slowly than organic foams. However, it does not offgas

volatile organic compounds Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic compounds that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature. They are common and exist in a variety of settings and products, not limited to house mold, upholstered furniture, arts and crafts sup ...

as many organic foams do. Like cement, it is water-soluble until cured, but after curing it is water-resistant, but water-permeable. It does not expand on setting, but may shrink slightly in open cavities. Structurally, it does not resemble concrete; at the low densities that make it well-insulating, it is quite fragile. It can be crumbled away to re-expose wiring or pipes, making a pile of grey powder. Also unlike concrete, it is quite lightweight. It is not a new product, having been around for some decades, but exclusive rights to an established cementitious foam product have recently been purchased by a company that has been giving it more publicity.

References

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