Dedicated Spray Foam Insulation Pros

According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, spray insulation can last for more than 80 years. While spray foam insulation is a little more expensive than fiberglass, it works better at sealing air leaks, preventing water leaks, and avoiding mold growth. 

Spray foam insulation is a modern insulation choice. Since it has fewer leaks than other types of insulation, you don’t need to have humidity damage check-ups often.

In general, spray foam insulation is an excellent solution for filling in all cracks and spaces in your structure. You can also add it to existing walls without tearing them open. 

Since open-cell spray foam has a much lower R-value, it’s not recommended for places with extreme temperatures. Heat and humidity can penetrate more easily. Open-cell works best for smaller, inaccessible areas due to its soft structure and ability to expand. It also dampens sound really well.

In contrast, closed-cell spray foam has a higher R-value, so it’s perfect in places that have more extreme temperatures. It does not allow water to pass through. However, this could also mean it could conceal leaks. 

In the end, whether you choose open-cell or closed-cell spray foam, it will depend on where you live, your budget, and your goals for the space you are insulating. 

The duration of installing spray foam insulation depends on the amount of work you want to do for that day. For instance, installing spray foam insulation on existing walls can take about 2-5 hours of labor. Other areas in your house can take less or more time to complete. 

Existing Walls

As mentioned above, walls take around 2-5 hours to insulate with spray foam. The time frame varies because you’ll need to consider the size of the wall, the stories in your home, and other factors.

Attics

Attics usually take up to a day to install insulation. If you’re insulating a new home, you won’t have to worry about taking old insulation out. Instead, you’ll need to focus on the accessibility of specific areas within the attic. 

Crawl Space

The crawl space is one of the least time-consuming installations. The only hindrance is its accessibility.