Spray Foam FAQs

When retrofitting open cavities with insulation, spray foam can be installed quickly, creating a continuous insulation layer with a high R-value per inch and is bonded to the surface area where it’s installed. Spray foam is considered a more “permanent” insulation, that doesn’t easily get displaced or degrade over time. Wild life won’t build a home in it like other insulations.    

Spray foam insulation when installed properly qualifies as an air-barrier material, dramatically reducing air leakage through the building envelope. As a result, it can significantly lower the building’s heating and cooling costs. 

Spray Foam insulation is made from Polyurethane, it’s technically a Polyurethane Plastic. Properly installed spray foam should not need to be replaced.  Manufacturers’ warranty foam for the life of the structure!

Closed-cell spray foam has a closed-cell structure which is rigid, hard foam, with a density of 1-2 pounds per cubic foot. Typical R-value per inch of closed-cell foam ranges from R-5 to R-7.4 per inch, making it a great choice in applications where framing depth is limited.  Closed-cell foam is the foam of choice on masonry construction or below grade where bulk moisture is present.

Installation time varies significantly depending on the size of the job and the ease of access to the site. When having spray foam installed, talk to your professional contractor about the amount of time it takes to install the product and its curing time and safety practices. A small amount of spray foam applied to a home’s interior can take as little as one to two hours to complete. Insulating an attic or basement in most normal homes can be completed in less than a day.

Spray foam insulation is unique from all other insulations on the market because it is manufactured during installation as chemicals are spray applied. As the liquid chemicals mix together, they undergo an exothermic reaction which generates both products and byproducts. The byproducts are heat and off-gassing. The final product, spray foam, is what’s left behind after the heat has all dissipated and the material has cured.

Yes, VOCs are emitted in the off-gassing during the curing phase, which is why our technicians wear protective suits and respirators. After the curing process, spray foam is a safe and inert insulation product.

Have you ever had new carpeting installed or purchased a new large area rug, and when you walk into the room you smell that fresh, new carpet smell? ~That’s likely the VOCs you are smelling which dissipate over time.

Generally, not. The size of the job is one factor. A small rim joist in an unconditioned basement, will generally not create as much odor as a large attic install. Off-gassing is a lot like paint fumes, you want good ventilation and low relative humidity for a good cure.

Since each home is different, and people have different levels of sensitivity where fumes are concerned, use your best judgement when it comes to the safety pets and small children. Most often within a few hours the odor from spray foam has dissipated.

Re-occupancy time after installation varies by manufacturer but is typically within 24 hours for occupied areas. Generally speaking, we don’t insulate occupied areas, only areas considered unconditioned or semi-conditioned spaces. 

The foam products we use have a Class A, Type 1 fire rating.  Every situation is different and we can discuss this with you in detail at the estimate.  In general, all-foam must be separated from living space with a fire-rated material. We take great care during the install and at the inspection to make sure our products are installed to code and pass local inspection.

The best answer is:

It depends. Since spray foam is expensive and the curve of diminish returns is staggering, we don’t encourage clients to waste money by over-insulating areas that don’t matter that much. 

The short answer is:

You need just enough spray foam to accomplish your goals but no more. In this case, more does not necessarily mean better!

Factors to consider include:

• location considered for spray foam
• plans/future plans for the space use 
• your personal goals and expectations 

Open-cell foams can allow the passage of water when they become submerged or over long-term exposure to water sources. Therefore, open cell foams are not appropriate for installation at locations susceptible to high levels of moisture including below-grade areas, and masonry construction. 

Closed-cell foam is resistant to water absorption at depths determined by the density of the material. Since the specific density of the foam is determined by the exact mixture ratio during the application, vapor barriers of closed-cell foam tend to vary from 1.4” to 2”. Closed-cell foams are approved by FEMA as a flood-resistant material. It is important to consider the different properties for each foam type for each application.

Cellulose insulation consists of recycled materials such as newsprint, cardboard, or other paper products. During manufacturing, chemical treatments make the materials fire-retardant and insect-resistant. The treated material is then blown or sprayed into the walls or attic of a house to provide insulation. As you can see, cellulose is an environmentally-friendly way to keep your home cozy and save on your energy bills.

Cellulose insulation consists of up to 85% post-consumer paper fiber. It also contains additives for fire resistance, and some insulation has been treated with boric acid for protection from pest infestation and moisture. What it doesn’t contain is also important: There’s no formaldehyde, asbestos or fibers from textiles, fiberglass or mineral wool.

We have a long list of fire safety credentials: Our cellulose insulation has a Class 1 fire rating from American Society for Testing and Materials E84 testing and is permitted as a fire block. It’s also manufactured to meet strict U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission fire safety regulations, and all our products meet ASTM C739 and E84 tests.

I’m glad you asked! Yes, we proudly install a cellulose product manufactured right here in Buffalo, NY.