Open Cell vs. Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation Cost

You want spray foam insulation, but you’re concerned about the cost. You know there are two types of spray foam, and you’re hoping to save money by using the cheaper of the two. Is there a difference in price between open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation? Can you afford spray foam on your budget?

South Central Services has insulated hundreds of homes with spray foam. Numerous factors influence the choice between open cell and closed cell, one of them being price.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• How much open cell spray foam costs
• How much closed cell spray foam costs
• Which spray foam is cheaper and why
• Which spray foam insulation is right for you

How Much Open Cell Spray Foam Costs

South Central Services charges $0.25 to $0.75 per board foot for open cell spray foam. A board foot is different from a square foot. Board feet measure length, width, and depth, while square footage only measures length and width.

Open cell spray foam is the less dense type of insulation, meaning more product must be sprayed to meet R-value and code. The least amount of open cell spray foam that can be sprayed is 3.5 inches. For some projects like attics and roofs, at least 7 inches of open cell spray foam has to be installed.

With this in mind, you can think of open cell spray foam rates as follows.

• Minimum price range: $0.88 to $2.63 per square foot
• Maximum price range: $3 to $9 per square foot

How Much Closed Cell Spray Foam Costs

South Central Services charges $1.15 to $1.75 per board foot for closed cell spray foam. Between open cell and closed cell, closed cell is the more expensive spray foam option. Closed cell spray foam is more dense and requires fewer inches installed. However, even with fewer inches of depth installed, closed cell will be more expensive than open cell.

The minimum amount of closed cell spray foam for most applications is 2 inches. For roofs and attics, a maximum of 6 inches can be required. Doing the same calculations as for open cell spray foam, we can arrive at a range of pricing per square foot for closed cell.

• Minimum price range: $2.30 to $3.50 per square foot
• Maximum price range: $6.90 to $10.50 per square foot

Why Is Open Cell Cheaper Than Closed Cell?

Open cell spray foam is cheaper than closed cell spray foam. Despite needing more insulation installed, open cell is less expensive than closed cell. There are two main reasons for this price difference. Let’s examine these in more detail.

1. Open Cell Spray Foam Has A Greater Yield

Even if you start with the same amount of raw materials for both open cell and closed cell spray foam, you will finish with different amounts of finished foam product.

Open cell spray foam has a greater yield than closed cell spray foam. This yield allows contractors to use fewer raw materials to complete a job, which drives down cost.

Why does open cell spray foam have a greater yield than closed cell? The chemistry behind these foams determine their properties and their yield.

2. Open Cell Spray Foam Has Fewer Application Options

Open cell spray foam cannot be used for every application. In our climate zone, open cell is used for exterior walls, attics, and in-between floors. Open cell also only adheres well to two substrates in our service area: wood and closed cell spray foam.

Comparatively, closed cell spray foam can be installed anywhere in a home, including attics, basements, crawl spaces, exterior walls, and foundations.

Open cell offers less features than closed cell, meaning it isn’t as expensive to install. Open cell spray foam applications have fewer concerns to address than some closed cell applications.

Which Spray Foam Is Right For Me?

Which spray foam insulation is right for you depends on where the foam is sprayed. If your budget is your primary concern, you’ll want to consider open cell spray foam whenever possible.

Above-Grade Applications Can Use Open Cell Or Closed Cell

Any above-grade application can have open cell spray foam. Exterior walls, attic floors, and attic ceilings are all options for open cell foam. If you’re building a new home, you can insulate your above-grade exterior walls with open cell to save some money. If you’re updating your attic, you can insulate either your floors or ceilings to increase your energy efficiency.

How much can you save with open cell spray foam when you insulate your attic? Estimate the cost of spray foam in your attic with our guide. All you need is square footage!

Below-Grade Applications Can Only Use Closed Cell

Below-grade applications must use closed cell spray foam. Places below the ground like your foundation, basement, and crawl space face excess moisture from the ground. Open cell spray foam does not have the features to combat this vapor, so closed cell spray foam must be used instead.

If you are looking to finish your basement, you can insulate the basement walls with closed cell spray foam. You can also look into crawl space encapsulation to improve your home's energy efficiency, comfort, and air quality.

The Bottom Line About Open Cell And Closed Cell Costs

Spray foam insulation is expensive, no matter which type of spray foam you invest in. Open cell spray foam is cheaper than closed cell spray foam, but it also isn’t an option for every home improvement project. Closed cell spray foam offers more features than open cell, which increases its cost and its versatility in the home.

Now that you understand the cost differences for open and closed cell spray foam, your next step is to:

• Find out if spray foam insulation can save you money
• Learn whether spray foam is worth investing in
• Calculate a spray foam estimate for your project