Pros And Cons Of Spray Foam Insulation

My cousin and I like to visit a bargain grocery store door and look for deals. For the right price, we'll splurge on a new kind of cereal or frozen treat we've never tried before. The buying decision happens in a moment.

"Sure, I'll try that. Because if I don't like it, I won't buy it again."

The stakes of trying a new cereal are low. The stakes for investing in an insulation are much higher. If you're considering spray foam insulation for your home or building, you want to know the potential downsides.

South Central Services has insulated hundreds of buildings in southern Pennsylvania with spray foam. Our job is to ensure customers are educated about spray foam insulation and can make informed decisions.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• The benefits of spray foam insulation
• The drawbacks to spray foam insulation
• Whether or not you should consider spray foam for your project

Pros Of Spray Foam Insulation

What makes an insulation product a good product? The most basic test would be whether or not it insulates well. However, other criteria can define whether a product is good or excellent.

There are 5 benefits of spray foam insulation.

1. Insulating value
2. Air-sealing
3. Lower utility costs
4. Energy efficiency
5. Longevity

Let's look at each of these in more detail.

1. Spray Foam Insulation Has A High R-Value.

The traditional way of evaluating insulation value is called R-value, or resistance value. R-value measures how well a material can resist thermal transfer. The higher the R-value per inch, the better the insulation value.

Imagine that you're baking a tray of cookies. The cookies are baked on a metal tray because metal has a low R-value. Metal conducts heat flow very well. To protect your hands from the hot pan, you wear a pair of oven mitts.

Oven mitts made of thin cloth keep the heat from getting to your skin. But the heat seeps through if you hold the hot pan for too long. Oven mitts made of a thicker cloth material have a higher R-value per inch. You could hold the hot pan longer without being uncomfortable or burning yourself.

Similarly, the R-value of spray foam confirms that it is a poor conductor of heat and an effective insulator. Within plus or minus 0.2, closed cell spray foam has an R-value of R-7 per inch, and open cell has an R-value of R-3.7 per inch.

2. Spray Foam Insulation Can Create An Airtight Seal.

Air-seal is a newer way of evaluating insulation value. Traditionally, the biggest concern with insulation was temperature control through thermal heat transfer. As building science has progressed, we have discovered how heat, humidity, and allergens can pass through the air.

When I was growing up, my parents consistently reminded me to close the back porch door. Either the heat was on or the air conditioning was on. Whichever it was, they knew that if I left the door wide open to play outside, all of the outside air and bugs would fly right in.

Without air-sealing, a home could have countless "little doors" open, even with your doors and windows shut tight.

Air can leak and bring other unwanted visitors, like humidity, allergens, insects, and heat. Spray foam insulation creates an airtight seal to prevent air leakage and its problems. Air cannot sneak through gaps and cracks in your home if they have been air-sealed.

3. Spray Foam Insulation Contributes To Lower Utility Costs.

Lower utility costs can be expected between the insulating value of the spray foam material and the air-seal it provides. Significantly less heated and conditioned air will escape. Homes will retain their temperatures better. No more cranking the thermostat to feel warm or cool.

Depending on the application, homeowners have experienced a 30% to 70% decrease in their monthly energy bills.

4. Spray Foam Insulation Increases Energy Efficiency.

Spray foam insulation is often accused of being a hazard to the environment, and it's true that spray foam cannot be recycled.

However, buildings are not temporary structures. We build structures to last as long as possible. Having a building that can last concerns safety, quality of materials, design, and energy efficiency.

The lower utility costs that we mentioned above are evidence of energy efficiency.

Spray foam doesn’t change energy costs. Spray foam prevents energy waste and allows us to use less energy to be comfortable. Over the lifetime of a structure, spray foam insulation can save a lot of energy that would otherwise have been wasted.

5. Spray Foam Insulation Is A Long-Lasting Investment.

Spray foam insulation has a product lifecycle that far outweighs its competition. Many insulation products are temporary solutions. Spray foam insulation is permanent. Homes with spray foam insulation never have to worry about replacement or upkeep.

Whether you have spray foam installed in your attic, basement, or crawl space, it should be a one-and-done investment. You will not have to reevaluate insulation options in 15 to 20 years.

If spray foam insulation is sprayed in a place that receives direct UV rays from the sun, it can break down. For this reason, manufacturers have developed coatings that can protect the foam from those UV rays.

Cons Of Spray Foam Insulation

Now that we've reviewed all the benefits of spray foam insulation, let's discuss the cons. What drawbacks would keep spray foam from being the best choice for you?

There are 3 cons of spray foam insulation, which we will cover in more detail.

1. Price
2. Installation requirements
3. Lack of resale value

1. Spray Foam Insulation Has A Higher Price Tag.

Spray foam insulation is expensive. It is one of the most costly insulation materials on the market. Whether building a new home or trying to make a current home more comfortable, spending thousands of dollars on insulation may be too costly.

While financing options for spray foam insulation are available, the product could still be out of budget.

2. Spray Foam Insulation Requires Professionals To Install.

Unlike many insulation products, spray foam insulation requires an educated contractor to install it. A handy homeowner can save costs by installing most insulations themselves. Any home improvement store would have the insulation for sale directly. With a pair of gloves, safety glasses, and a mask, the installation could be done without a professional. Spray foam is not one of these insulations.

There are DIY kits available for spray foam. However, as professional contractors, we cannot recommend any DIY for spray foam. This recommendation is not a matter of gatekeeping, but of safety.

The application of spray foam insulation is dangerous. There is a chemical reaction between two chemicals that pose health risks in their raw form. After installation, the chemical reaction is complete, and the foam is safe. But the process of getting from chemicals to safe foam is something a handy homeowner cannot do on their own.

When professional contractors spray, they wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep them safe during spray foam manufacturing. Meanwhile, residents and pets are required to vacate until the foam installation is complete.

3. Spray Foam Insulation Offers No Direct Resale Value Increase.

Technically, this statement is true of all insulation. Insulation type is not a standard question for potential homebuyers. As long as the insulation is up to building code, no one is particularly concerned.

However, the investment cost of spray foam is high, so knowing there is no direct correlation to home value can feel discouraging. While spray foam contributes to an efficient and comfortable home, spray foam alone will not increase resale value.

If you intend to sell your home, when you plan to move can impact whether spray foam insulation is a wise investment for you.

Bottom Line, Here's What You Need To Know About Spray Foam.

Spray foam can be a great insulation option. It meets traditional standards of effective insulation, and spray foam offers features backed by modern building science.

However, spray foam insulation is an expensive investment that requires trained contractors. No matter how great the list of benefits may be, it may not be an investment that is accessible for you.

Now that you understand the benefits and drawbacks of spray foam, your next step is to:

• Learn the difference between open and closed cell spray foam
• Compare spray foam insulation to fiberglass insulation
• Estimate the cost of spray foam insulation for your project