Product Spotlight: WALLTITE® and ENERTITE® SPF Insulation
High-Performance Spray Foam for Energy-Efficient Homes
Project Overview - Homebuilder Cuts Cooling Costs by Up to 45% in Arizona
In one of the hottest housing markets in the U.S.—literally and figuratively—a local homebuilder in Phoenix partnered with BASF to compare two construction methods: their standard build package versus homes insulated with BASF’s high-performance building envelope. The goal was to evaluate how advanced spray foam insulation could impact comfort, energy efficiency, and overall livability in the face of Arizona’s blistering summer temperatures.
The study focused on four model homes ranging from 1,463 to 2,562 square feet, constructed across two communities—one with the standard building method and one with BASF’s upgraded insulation package.
A Smarter Approach to the Building Envelope
The high-performance homes featured a hybrid wall system combining closed-cell WALLTITE® spray foam, spray-applied cellulose, and NEOPOR® GPS rigid insulation. To complete the envelope, an unvented attic was sealed with ENERTITE® open-cell spray foam applied to the underside of the roof deck, eliminating the need for radiant barrier sheathing.
This design not only improved thermal insulation but also created a semi-conditioned attic space where mechanical systems could operate more efficiently. Even during peak summer months when outdoor temperatures soared past 115°F, data loggers recorded attic temperatures no higher than 83°F.
