Spray Foam Insulation vs. New Windows

You're considering an energy-efficiency upgrade for your home. You want to be more comfortable, spend less on your energy bills, and improve the long-term value of your home. Two common energy-efficiency upgrades are installing new windows and adding spray foam insulation. But which investment offers the better return on investment?

South Central Services has installed spray foam insulation in hundreds of homes around Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Homeowners have lowered their energy costs through attic, basement, and crawl space insulation. While we do not sell or install windows, we recognize the energy-efficiency value of replacing single-pane windows.

Every homeowner's situation differs, and we want you to make the best decision possible. This article will give a transparent look at the costs, longevity, and installation timelines for windows and retrofit spray foam insulation.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• The costs associated with new windows and spray foam insulation
• The expected installation time for new windows and spray foam insulation
• The longevity and durability of new windows and spray foam insulation

The Costs of New Windows and Spray Foam Insulation

The initial investment cost is one of the primary considerations when choosing your home energy-efficiency upgrade. How much will a new window cost compared to insulating your attic or basement? Can you save any money through tax credits? What will the savings be during your next billing cycle?

Let's examine these questions and answer them in more detail.

Cost of Installation for New Windows and Spray Foam

Windows are an expensive investment, but their cost varies widely depending on your window type. For example, vinyl windows are considered less expensive compared to wood windows. However, different window types are more expensive than others. A vinyl double-hung window is less costly than a vinyl bay window.

The cost of your windows will vary depending on the contractor you work with, but you should expect to spend at least $1,000 per window. You can learn more about window types and costs from The Home Depot.

Spray foam insulation is also an expensive investment. The cost of spray foam will vary by project and product. For example, insulating your basement walls may cost more than insulating your attic floor because of greater square footage. Attic insulation may also be less expensive because you can choose between open cell or closed cell spray foam for above-grade applications. Open cell spray foam is the cheaper of the two insulations. Basement and crawl spaces are below-grade, which can only have closed cell spray foam insulation installed.

You can use our guides to learn how to estimate attic and basement spray foam costs. In these guides, we use our rates to calculate costs. On average, a large basement costs between $3,000 and $4,000. Insulating a small attic roof to create a conditioned space would cost approximately $5,000 on average. If you'd like a vented attic, you could have the floor insulated instead, costing roughly $3,500.

Estimate the cost of basement spray foam insulation or the cost of attic spray foam insulation for your home.

If every window costs $1,000 to replace, you could replace between 3 to 6 windows for the price of insulating your attic, basement, or crawl space. Given the price of windows, you could realistically replace 2 to 3 windows for the price of insulating an area of your home with spray foam.

Tax Credit Savings for New Windows and Spray Foam Insulation

Both new windows and spray foam insulation may qualify for federal tax credits, which can offset some of the initial costs. For new windows, you can reclaim a maximum of $600 if the windows meet ENERGY STAR efficiency criteria.

For spray foam insulation projects, you can reclaim a maximum of $1,200 for your project. If you spend $4,000 on your insulation project, you will reclaim the maximum 30% tax rebate.

Expected ROI for New Windows and Spray Foam Insulation

The ROI of new windows will depend on several factors. If you are moving from single-pane windows to ENERGY STAR-certified windows, you can expect an ROI of 50% to 70%. Your investment in new windows could pay for itself through savings on your energy bills within 3 to 5 years.

In our experience, homeowners lower their energy bills by 30% to 70% when moving from minimal insulation to spray foam. Attics, basement, and crawl spaces are all key areas that impact energy efficiency. Depending on the size of your investment and the savings you experience on your energy bills, your insulation upgrade could pay for itself within 3 to 7 years.

The Expected Installation Time for New Windows and Spray Foam Insulation

Installing new windows can be time-consuming, especially if structural modifications are needed. The installation of new windows can take several days to a week, depending on the number of windows and the complexity of the project.

Compared to window replacement, spray foam insulation takes less time to install. The timeline of a project depends on the size and scope. For example, an attic usually takes 1 to 3 days to insulate, with the average timeline being 2 days. A basement or crawl space generally takes 1 day for our team, but could take 2 days if the basement is large or there is prep work to complete.

The Longevity of New Windows and Spray Foam Insulation

Quality new windows can last 20 to 25 years if well-maintained. However, windows may require occasional repairs or adjustments, especially if they contain moving parts like sashes or cranks.

Spray foam insulation is a durable insulation option. It is not easily disturbed, unlike other popular insulation options. It does not sag or settle over time. Spray foam can also last for the lifetime of your home as long as it is not exposed to ultraviolet rays. If the installation location experiences sunlight, contractors can add additional protective coatings to prolong the insulation's lifetime. After insulating with spray foam, you should not need to consider insulation replacement again.

The Bottom Line About Choosing New Windows or Spray Foam Insulation

Both new windows and spray foam insulation are valuable home improvements, but they serve different needs and offer different ROIs. New windows are a good choice for improving aesthetics. If your current windows are outdated or inefficient, new windows may deliver a faster ROI than spray foam.

Unlike windows, spray foam insulation will not offer aesthetic improvement. Spray foam insulation is a long-term investment that offers permanent energy savings and improves the comfort of your home.

Ready to pick your first spray foam insulation upgrade? Your next step is to read these articles.

• Does My Attic Need Insulation?
• Should I Insulate My Basement Ceiling?
• How Can I Fix My Crawl Space?