FAQs

What is Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation offers a versatile alternative to traditional insulation methods. It's created by blending isocyanate and polyol resin, resulting in a liquid foam. Once sprayed into place, this liquid expands significantly, often reaching 30 to 60 times its initial volume.

What is Spray Foam Insulation Used For?

Spray foam is used to insulate various areas of your home, including walls, ceilings, attics, lofts, and floors. When sprayed into cavities, it expands to create a comprehensive seal over cracks, effectively preventing unwanted airflow.

Spray Foam Insulation for Attic

Air infiltration in the attic can lead to significant heat or cooling loss and increased energy costs. Gaps around attic hatch doors or penetrations from heating and air conditioning pipes can contribute to this unwanted airflow. Spray foam attic insulation effectively seals these openings, improving energy efficiency.

Spray Insulation for Walls

Insulating your home's walls is an excellent way to reduce utility expenses. If your walls are currently uninsulated, spray foam can be added by drilling small holes. If there's existing insulation, exercise greater care when applying spray foam.

Spray Insulation for Crawl Space

The crawl space is often the most humid area in a home. For this reason, selecting a non-water-sensitive insulation type like spray foam insulation is crucial. It prevents mold growth by keeping interior air from contacting cold surfaces and acts as a barrier between the crawl space and your living areas above.

Spray Insulation for Metal Buildings

Contrary to a common misconception, metal buildings can be insulated with spray foam without causing rust. The key lies in using a premium quality foam, which will not lead to metal corrosion.

Spray Insulation for Basement Walls

Insulating basement walls contributes to a warmer home. Closed-cell spray foam is highly recommended for basement wall insulation due to its superior ability to prevent vapor and moisture.

Spray Insulation for Soundproofing

Just as air flows through gaps, so does sound. If cracks and gaps allow unwanted airflow, they will also allow noise into your home. Spray foam insulation can be a good choice if your goal is to reduce noise. However, for complete noise prevention, you may need to explore other options. For more information, click here: Spray Foam Soundproofing.

Spray Insulation for Windows

To prevent air from entering your home through gaps and cracks around windows, spray foam insulation can be used. It's crucial to choose a minimal-expanding foam for this application, as highly expanding types can cause functional problems with your windows.

Spray Insulation for the Garage

Insulating your garage is a worthwhile investment, especially if you plan to heat it. Even without a heater, insulation provides benefits by acting as a thermal buffer between your home's exterior walls and the outdoors. Spray foam insulation is an excellent choice for garages due to its energy efficiency, ability to prevent unwanted airflow, and resistance to mold and insects. For more information, click here: Spray Foam Garage Insulation.

Spray Insulation in the Basement

Basements can be a significant source of heat loss. Spray foam insulation offers an effective solution. If the basement is uninsulated, interior insulation is generally easier to apply than exterior insulation. For interior basement insulation, closed-cell spray foam performs best. For more information, click here: Spray Foam Basement Insulation.

Where Not to Use Spray Foam Insulation

While highly versatile, there are certain areas where spray foam insulation should be used with caution or avoided entirely:

Cold Weather: Cold temperatures can affect the foam's expansion rate, so exercise care when insulating in cold conditions.
Near Electrical Boxes: Spray foam insulation should not be used near electrical boxes, as it involves bringing potentially flammable chemicals close to your home's electrical wiring.
Closed Cavity Spaces: Due to its immediate expansion and potential for pressure buildup, spray foam insulation is generally not recommended for completely closed cavity spaces.
Near Recessed Ceiling Canister Lights: Insulating spaces near recessed ceiling canister lights with spray foam can be risky, as it may trap heat and pose a fire hazard.
Individuals with Health Issues: If you have respiratory or skin sensitivities, spray foam insulation may be inappropriate due to its chemical composition.

What are the Advantages of Using Spray Foam Insulation?

Spray foam insulation offers numerous benefits for your home:

Cost Savings: It significantly increases your home's energy efficiency, leading to substantial savings on energy bills. Energy-efficient homes also tend to be more valuable on the market.
Air and Water Barrier: Beyond blocking heat and cold, spray foam insulation acts as an effective barrier against air and water. Its air-sealing properties prevent temperature fluctuations within insulated buildings.
Noise Reduction: Spray foam insulation helps prevent outside noise from entering your home. Open-cell foam, in particular, offers superior sound insulation from neighborhood noise compared to other insulation types.
Pest and Allergen Deterrent: Because the foam is applied directly to cracks and expands to fill them, it creates a formidable barrier against small invaders like pollen, allergens, ants, and bugs.
Moisture and Mold Prevention: By filling even the tiniest cracks, spray foam prevents water or steam from seeping into your house. Additionally, the inert polymer in spray foam does not provide a food source for bacteria and mold, contributing to a healthier living environment and stronger walls.
Easy Application and Quick Drying: Spray foam is relatively easy to apply and dries quickly, typically ready for use within a day of application.
Reduced Carbon Footprint: By consuming less energy, spray foam insulation helps decrease your carbon footprint.
Longevity and Durability: Once applied, spray foam can last for decades. It is strong and maintains its shape over time.
Structural Reinforcement: Spray foam possesses adhesive qualities, effectively gluing building materials together. This not only insulates but also strengthens the overall structure of your building.

What is R-Value?

The primary function of insulation materials is to reduce conductive heat flow. Heat naturally moves from warmer to cooler areas until temperatures equalize. In winter, heat flows from heated living spaces to unheated areas, while in summer, it moves from the outside in. The R-value measures how effectively insulation resists this conductive heat flow. More effective insulation types have higher R-values. All insulation substances have an R-value, though their efficiency can vary based on several factors.

What is the R-Value of Spray Foam Insulation?

Calculating a material's R-value involves various scientific and mathematical principles. Spray foam insulation boasts some of the highest R-values per inch in the industry. When applied correctly, closed-cell spray foam offers an impressive R-value of approximately 6.5 to 7 per inch. While open-cell spray foam doesn't quite match the efficiency of closed-cell, it still provides a notable R-value of around 3.8 inches.

How to Remove Spray Foam Insulation

While spray foam is easy to apply, it's not uncommon for it to end up on furniture, coverings, clothes, or skin. Removing it can be challenging. Here are the steps you should follow:

Removing Spray Foam from Construction Materials

Wear a Mask: Spray foam is a chemical combination. While safe once cured, manual removal can release particles that are irritating to the lungs. Always wear a mask before you begin.
Allow it to Dry: If you've made a mistake, do not attempt to remove the foam immediately after application. Wait until it has fully dried.
Cut and Scrape: Use a saw, knife, or other suitable tool to cut out larger pieces of insulation. Be cautious around electrical wires. A paint scraper or a hard-bristle brush can help remove residual foam. For nooks like wall cavities, a hammer or chisel might be useful.
Use a Solvent for Traces: To remove the last traces of foam, apply lacquer thinner, a solvent designed to dissolve uncured polyurethane-based materials. Do not use water to dissolve the foam, as it will harden it further.

Removing Spray Foam from Clothes

Remove When Uncured: It's easiest to remove spray foam from clothing when it's still uncured.
Initial Wipe: First, rub down the affected clothing with a rag.
Acetone Application: Moisten another rag with acetone (found in nail polish removers) and wipe the foam off the fabric.
Wash: Wash the exposed clothing with a clothing stain remover.

Removing Spray Foam from Skin

Hands are commonly exposed to spray foam during application. It's best to remove it from the skin before it sets.

Initial Wipe: First, wipe your skin with a rag.
Acetone Application: Dampen another rag with acetone and continue to wipe the affected area.
Moisturize: After removing the spray foam, apply lotion to your skin to keep it hydrated.

If the foam has cured on your skin, removal can be more difficult.

Pumice Stone: Scrubbing the foam off your skin with a pumice stone can help.
Petroleum Jelly and Gloves: After scrubbing, apply petroleum jelly and wear gloves for about 60 minutes.
Wash: Finally, wash your hands with soap and water. For more detailed information on safe removal from skin and hands, click here.

How Much Does It Cost to Insulate a House with Spray Foam?

The cost of insulating a house with spray foam is a significant consideration and depends on several factors:

Type of Spray Foam: The primary factor affecting the price is the type of spray foam used. Closed-cell spray foam is generally more expensive than open-cell spray foam due to its more compact and stable insulation properties. On average, closed-cell spray foam insulation can cost about $150 more than open-cell spray foam.
Total Square Footage: The total square footage of the area you intend to insulate is another key cost determinant. The spray foam insulation cost per square foot will directly influence the overall average spray foam insulation cost.

Can You Do Spray Foam Insulation Yourself?

While it's generally recommended to hire a professional spray foam contractor, you can indeed apply spray foam insulation yourself! You can purchase a DIY spray foam insulation kit, which includes all the necessary equipment, and undertake your own do-it-yourself spray foam insulation project. Be sure to carefully follow all the necessary steps before, during, and after application to ensure safety and proper results.

Spray foam insulation offers numerous advantages. It's strong and durable, providing effective insulation and good air quality for many years. It's easy to apply once you've made the necessary preparations to ensure safety.

FAQs About Spray Foam Insulation

Is Spray Foam Insulation Safe?

Spray foam insulation is a chemical product, and if not applied correctly, it can be dangerous. According to the U.S. EPA, exposure to harmful chemicals from spray foam can lead to adverse effects such as fever, shortness of breath, lung and eye irritation, and a sore throat. However, when properly applied and fully cured, it is considered safe.

Is Spray Foam Insulation Flammable?

Yes, spray foam insulation is flammable, meaning it is not fireproof. However, it does possess fire-resistant features and can resist exposure to fire for nearly an hour.

Is Spray Foam Insulation Waterproof?

There isn't a single answer to this question, as it depends on the type of material used. Closed-cell spray foam, being denser, is water-resistant. Open-cell spray foam, on the other hand, is lighter and not waterproof. For more information, read our blog post on this topic.

Can Spray Foam Insulation Get Wet?

Unlike many other insulation types, spray foam insulation does not deteriorate when it gets wet. It will dry after a certain period and does not trap moisture.