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Expanding foam sealants make it easy to fill and seal all sorts of gaps and cracks around the home, but can be messy and hard to control. Wet urethane foam must be cleaned up with irritating solvents, and is virtually impossible to remove from skin, clothing, or other surfaces after drying. A new generation of latex foam sealants offers similar performance to urethane foam with the advantage of soap-and-water cleanup and a lower, more predictable rate of expansion.
Latex foam sealant is a relatively new product, sold in aerosol cans similar to the more familiar polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams. A nozzle-and-trigger assembly is used to squirt wet foam into cracks, gaps, or voids in order to seal out drafts, prevent energy losses, and keep out pests. The latex material reaches 75% of its total expansion as soon as it is applied, unlike urethane foams that gradually expand more than 200%. This feature prevents latex foam from warping window and door frames, where urethane foam might cause distortion. Like urethane, latex foam forms a skin as it dries, which allows for tooling and smoothing. Latex foam, however, can also be shaped or tooled while wet, and stays softer and somewhat pliable even after it is fully cured. Successive layers can be applied if necessary.
Easy clean-up is probably the biggest advantage for using latex foams over traditional foam sealants. Anyone who has tried to remove excess urethane foam from skin, fabrics, walls or floor surfaces will appreciate how much simpler it is to use soap and water, rather than harsh chemical solvents. While the material is also less irritating than urethane foam, gloves and eye protection are still recommended during application. Latex foam will cling to most construction materials, but it does not offer the adhesive qualities of urethane.
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Latex foam is easier to clean up than urethane foam, and can be done with soap and water. In addition, the quickness in which it expands right away is helpful in forming the seal almost right after application. This allows for a good fit, and thus a better seal.
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Latex foam sealants can be found in hardware and home improvement stores, along with urethane sealants. They can easily be applied by the homeowner, though protective gloves and eyeware should be utilized.
The retail cost of latex foam sealant is similar to urethane foam sealant, typically ranging from $5 to $10 for a 12 to 20 oz can.
Depending on varying conditions, sealant may need to be re-applied to an area after an extended amount of time.
Due to use of vinyl acetate in the product formulation, latex foams are listed under International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Category 2b, possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Model reMODEL: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Application should occur between 45 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (ºF) on a surface cleaned of dirt and grease. After shaking the can for one minute or more, the foam may be dispensed in an upright position. Manufacturers recommend that spaces be 90% filled, to allow for final expansion and tooling. The foam is usually tack-free after ten minutes and fully cured after 24 hours, depending on temperature and humidity. It is important to note that latex foam is extremely flammable, and produces vapors that are heavier than air. This means that pilot lights in appliances like water-heaters and furnaces should be extinguished before the foam is applied, and ventilation provided until chemical odors can no longer be detected. Direct inhalation of fumes should also be avoided. Due to flammability concerns, latex foam should not be used inside electrical switch or outlet boxes where a spark may occur. Cured foam with exterior exposure must be painted with good quality latex paint to avoid moisture deterioration.
A 12 oz. can yields about 500 linear feet of 1/4" bead. Some manufacturers offer larger can sizes. The straw and nozzle of the can should be rinsed in warm water to allow later reuse.
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Latex foam sealant offers a convenient way to fill gaps, cracks, or voids, to prevent air flow and energy loss and to keep out pests or vermin. The foam is easy to tool and shape while wet, remains pliable when cured, and can be painted. The latex formula allows easy soap and water cleanup, a big advantage over typical urethane aerosol sealants. Because latex foam expands less than urethane foam, it can be safely used to seal gaps around window and door frames without the risk of distortion. Leftover material can be stored for later use.
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