Things To Know About The Spray Foam Insulation Installation Process

Posted on: 26 April 2022

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Spray foam insulation is often used in new homes during the construction phase, but if you have an older home, you can have the insulation installed in your attic, crawlspace, basement, and walls. It's not even necessary to open walls since the foam can be injected through access holes.

Installing spray foam can be tricky since the foam expands so much once it's applied. You might want to hire an insulation contractor to do your spray foam insulation installation. Here are things to know about spray foam.

Attic And Crawlspace Insulation Might Be Enough

Talk to your insulation contractor about where to install spray foam insulation for the best benefit and for a price that fits your budget. You might even want to have an energy audit done with a thermal camera to see where your home needs the insulation.

If you add spray foam to your attic and crawlspace, you might not need to have your walls done if you want to save money. However, if wall insulation fits your budget, it could be worth the expense.

You May Need To Leave Your House For A Day

Toxic fumes are given off during the spray foam insulation installation process. Your contractor may recommend you leave your house while the work is going on, especially if you have a respiratory illness or allergies. The contractor can work safely because they wear protective equipment while spraying the foam.

The contractor will let you know when you can return home. They'll estimate how long you need to stay away so the fumes have time to air out. Once your home has aired out, the spray foam is no longer irritating to your respiratory tract since the fumes are gone.

You Can Choose Open Or Closed-Cell Foam

Your contractor can help you decide on the right type of spray foam to use. They might recommend an open-cell for your attic and a closed-cell for your crawlspace.

If you get a roof leak, the water can leak through the cells and stain your roof. This lets you know the roof has a problem. If you put closed-cell foam in your attic, rain may not leak through and then your attic could mold and rot.

Spray Foam Expands Quite A Bit

The spray foam insulation installation process is interesting to watch because the foam rapidly expands once it's sprayed on the attic. The expansion happens because of a chemical reaction in the foam. An experienced contractor can control the expansion but, if necessary, your attic walls can be smoothed down after the foam is on so your walls have a more attractive appearance.