The Whole Truth About Icynene® LDC-50 Open Cell Spray Foam

Understanding your choice for subfloor insulation

🔹 Why Icynene® LDC-50 – Open Cell Spray Foam?

At SprayIT Solutions, we’re all about giving you the best insulation for your home’s subfloor, with clear, honest information to help you decide.

Icynene® LDC-50 open-cell spray foam is a top choice for keeping your home warm, quiet, and energy-efficient while being kind to the planet. Unlike some companies that push only rigid closed-cell foam and spread myths about open-cell options, we offer both solutions and focus on what’s right for your home and budget.

Icynene LDC-50 Open Cell Spray Foam seals drafts, manages moisture smartly, and flexes with your home for long-lasting performance. It’s backed by decades of research, meets strict building codes, and is a sustainable choice for cozy, comfortable living.

Checkout our detailed under floor insulation options page for more details.

Open cell spray foam: Icynene LDC-50 spray foam insulation being applied in a subfloor

✅ 1. Air-Sealing Power

Fact: Icynene LDC-50 meets the ASTM E283 air barrier standard at just 3–3.5 inches (75mm-89mm) — not 5.5 inches as some competitors claim. Unlike closed-cell, open cell spray foam stays flexible and allows moisture to escape.

Feature Icynene LDC-50 Open Cell Closed Cell Foam
Air Barrier ✔ Achieved at ~ 75mm (ASTM E283) ✔ Achieved at ~ 25mm
Moisture Handling Open cell spray foam is Breathable – allows drying Vapor-tight – can trap moisture
Flexibility Soft & flexible – moves with the building Rigid – can crack or pull away
Sound Control Excellent Limited
R-Value Stability Open Cell Spray Foam is long-term stable (water-blown) May degrade over time (gas loss)
Environmental Impact 100% water-blown, no HFCs Many use HFC blowing agents
Cost Always lower than closed cell foam Higher cost than open cell

Open cell spray foam seals gaps, cracks, and joints just as effectively as closed-cell foam, preventing drafts and energy loss. Because it’s 100% water-blown, it achieves this performance without using HFC blowing agents (a big plus for the environment).

Bottom line: Open-cell foam is a certified air barrier when applied correctly.
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2. Smart Moisture Behaviour

Open-cell foam allows controlled moisture diffusion, which helps materials breathe and dry. In a subfloor application, this means moisture is not trapped against timber — reducing the risk of hidden rot and mould.

Icynene LDC50 DOES NOT wick moisture and will not hold water from leaks. It drains and dries, returning to full thermal efficiency once dry.

Open cell spray foam is the go-to choice for Australian homes needing breathable, affordable insulation.

Bottom line: Open-cell foam helps manage moisture naturally.
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3. Flexibility & Durability

Open cell spray foam Icynene LDC-50 cures soft and flexible, moving with your floor joists as temperatures change. Rigid closed-cell foams can crack or pull away from timber over time, breaking the seal.

Once dry, Icynene returns to its original shape without warping or losing effectiveness.

Bottom line: Flexibility equals longevity.
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4. R-Value & Efficiency

While closed-cell has a higher R-value per mm, Icynene is applied at a greater thickness to achieve the same R-value at a lower cost.

Because it is water-blown, its R-value stays stable for the life of the home, unlike some closed-cell foams that suffer from thermal degradation due to off-gassing.

Bottom line: Efficiency is about air-sealing + consistency.
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5. Environmentally Responsible

Icynene LDC-50 uses water as the blowing agent — not greenhouse-gas-emitting HFCs found in many closed-cell foams, which have high global warming potential.

This means lower environmental impact, cleaner indoor air, and sustainable performance for decades.

Bottom line: Better for your home, your family, and the planet.
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6. Acoustic Comfort

Open-cell foam’s soft, porous structure absorbs sound exceptionally well. This reduces noise from above or below the floor — adding comfort and quiet to your home.

Bottom line: Warmer, quieter, more comfortable living spaces.
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SprayIT Solutions

We are here to help you make an informed choice. Our installers have the know-how and skills to install the right solution to compat moisture and climate relate problems.

Bottom line: Icynene Open Cell and Closed Cell foams, ensure the right protection for your home or building’s climate conditions.

🔸 When to Choose Icynene LDC-50

Icynene LDC-50 is ideal for subfloors when you want:

  • Excellent air-sealing and insulation in one product
  • A breathable insulation system that allows timber to dry naturally
  • Long-term flexibility and performance
  • Reduced environmental footprint
  • Added acoustic comfort

🛑 When NOT to Choose

  • Where there is a considerable moisture issue or standing water under your home or building.

(In these rare cases, we can help guide you to a more suitable waterproofing solution.)

PDF IconDownload Open Cell Foam Fact-sheet

The SprayIT Solutions Difference

We don’t just sell insulation — we help you make an informed choice. Our installers are fully trained and certified to apply both Icynene Open Cell and Closed Cell foams, ensuring the right product for your home’s needs and climate conditions.

Contact SprayIt Solutions today for open cell spray foam installation in Brisbane, Gold Coast and beyond.

All information provided is backed by the technical data sheets for ICYNENE LD-C-50 TM – CANADA.

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