A: Cost depends on many factors: job size, complexity, type & depth of foam, and access, to name a few. We also need to mobilize our specialized equipment, materials, and trained installers to your site. For average-size closed-cell projects, $1.40 - $2.50 per board foot is common. Open cell ranges between $0.28-$0.45 per board foot. The larger the project, the lower the board foot cost.
A: Spray foam can burn, but it is not a fire hazard; all our foams have a Class 1 fire rating, which is the highest fire rating that can be achieved for building materials. The foam should be protected the same as other insulation products to meet building codes, such as with an intumescent paint when left exposed.
A: Our raw materials are expensive, and the other big expense is labor. A good foam contractor has a highly skilled workforce that has undergone extensive training, not only in manufacturing certification but also in industry standards. Being an on-site foam manufacturer means the conditions we are working in change day to day, sometimes even throughout the day! Managing the chemistry of the process correctly takes training and education.
As to if it’s worth it, we might be biased but we sure think so! We are here to help provide information so you can decide best for your needs. We can say those who decide to use foam generally won’t use anything but foam in the future after they feel and see the difference it makes. The R-value is a large component of how effective a system is, but there are other contributing factors, such as the air-sealing characteristics of the foam, that help the foam outperform other insulation types. Also, with spray foam you don’t have any seams or fasteners that can reduce the effective R-value.
A: Yes! A common phone call we get is people who have an uninsulated, under insulated, or wrongly insulated building that is dripping condensation inside. Sometimes it’s so bad that they think they have a roof leak! We’ve fixed 100’s of metal buildings condensation issues, every situation is different give us a call and one of our experts can discuss your project in more detail.
A: Send us drawings if you have a new construction project or pictures and square footage of area needing insulation if existing. If you are unsure on what you need, or if there are restrictions such as difficult access or heights, one of our experts can make a site visit and recommend what is the best for you.
A: Lifetime. We started installing foam in 1973 and haven’t seen it fail yet. Foam won’t sag or settle once in place like other batt or blown in materials.
A: Absolutely, we have specialized products and tools that allow us to use ½”-1” holes to inject foam into voids of an uninsulated or under insulated house or building.
A: Cost: The initial investment is more than other products available. However, the return on investment is generally between 3 and 5 years for a new construction home. R-value is just one factor that goes into an effective insulation system, but that’s a value that makes intuitive sense at first glance. We’ve seen repeatedly that a wall/ceiling of R15 foam will outperform R30 batts installed in the same structure and application.
Bad installs: Every horror story of foam we’ve researched and heard about is tracked back to a bad install. That is why we send all of our people to training, and they receive continued training and recertification every 3 years. Hiring the cheapest contractor often isn’t the best value. With over 50 years in the foam business, we’ve seen plenty of substandard contractors start- up and do shoddy work. Eventually, their bad work catches up with them, and they move out of state or close their doors. Be mindful of who you are hiring and what credentials they have. Look for industry certification and not just manufacture certifications.