Spray Foam Insulation FAQs
You're interested in spray foam insulation, but you have some questions and concerns. You are not alone! Check out the most frequently asked questions by homeowners and contractors.
Spray Foam Insulation Basics FAQ
What Is Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray foam insulation is a polyurethane foam that adheres to surfaces. The adhesion helps create an airtight seal, while the foam material slows the thermal transfer of heat. Read our article for more in-depth information about spray foam basics.
What Is Spray Foam Made Of?
Spray foam is created from two components mixed in a 1:1 ratio. These components are commonly referred to as the A-Side and the B-Side. The scientific names for the components are isocyanate and polyol blend. Their chemical reaction creates a foam that expands and sticks in place.
How Is Spray Foam Applied?
Spray foam insulation is applied using a spray gun and spray hose. This gear is housed in a spray foam rig, which has other important equipment. The drums of A-Side and B-Side chemicals are inside, along with equipment to monitor temperature, pressure, and ratio. After leaving the spray gun, the chemicals are atomized, allowing them to mix efficiently and effectively.
Are There Different Types Of Spray Foam Insulation?
Open cell and closed cell are two different types of spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation.
Open cell is a low-density foam with an open cell structure. Closed cell is a higher-density foam with a closed cell structure. The cell structures of these foam types determine their features and ideal applications.
What Is R-Value?
R-value, or resistance value, is a measurement of how well a material resists conductive heat transfer.
The higher the R-value, the better a material can insulate.
R-value does not measure every aspect of insulation performance, but is one aspect to consider when choosing an insulation product.
How Is Spray Foam Different Than Fiberglass?
Unlike fiberglass insulation, spray foam is an air barrier material that reduces indoor air pollution and limits chemical exposure. Spray foam, as a component in an air barrier assembly, contributes to creating an improved indoor environment that is more equipped to mimic hypoallergenic conditions. Learn more about the differences between fiberglass and spray foam.
What Time Of Year Is Best For Spray Foam?
Spray foam is best to install in warm weather. However, spray foam can still be installed in the cold by experienced contractors. Spray foam work can safely be completed during most winter days in southern Pennsylvania.
Spray Foam Insulation Problems FAQ
Is Spray Foam Insulation Safe?
Spray foam insulation is created from the chemical reaction of two chemical components, which pose health risks in their raw forms. After correct installation, spray foam insulation is a safe and inert product. Learn more about the safety of spray foam insulation.
Is Spray Foam Insulation Bad For The Environment?
Spray foam insulation cannot be recycled, but it does make buildings much more energy efficient.
Can Spray Foam Make A House Too Airtight?
Spray foam insulation insulates well according to R-value, and also helps to create an airtight seal. Homeowners are sometimes concerned that spray foam's airtight seal will prevent their home from ventilating properly.
Homes can have improper ventilation. However, spray foam's airtight seal is the not the culprit of improper ventilation. An airtight seal prevents uncontrolled air infiltration, but does not hinder natural or mechanical ventilation.
An air-sealed home with ventilation issues needs to have the HVAC system evaluated to best support the homeowner. Depending on the climate zone, a house insulated with spray foam may need an ERV or HRV added to the HVAC system.
Does Spray Foam Off-Gas Toxic Fumes?
During the manufacturing process, spray foam insulation does off-gas toxic fumes. The installers wear respirators to protect their lungs, while residents and pets are asked to vacate.
After spray foam has cured, off-gassing fumes dissipate. Off-gassing is a normal byproduct of the chemical reaction to create spray foam, but should not continue after the foam is manufactured.
Learn about the relationship between spray foam insulation and off-gassing in more detail.
Can Bugs And Pests Consume And Live In Spray Foam?
Spray foam is not a food source. As a seamless air barrier, it helps eliminate the risk of dangerous mold growth and reduces the infiltration of dust, pollen, insects, and pests.
Traditional loose-fill insulation such as fiberglass or cellulose can encourage pests to live and breed in homes. No insulation is pest-proof, but spray foam can be used to support a pest defense strategy.
Can Spray Foam Create A Serious Fire Hazard?
Spray foam is not a serious fire risk when building code requirements, IBC and IRC, specific to foamed plastics are followed. Learn more about spray foam insulation and fire safety.
Is It Hard To Sell A House With Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray foam insulation is a selling feature for a home. Like other selling features, spray foam may or may not have an impact on how many people are interested in purchasing your home. Spray foam, like other insulation products, will not influence your resale value.
Do I Need To Cover My Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray foam insulation cannot be left exposed without some kind of protective covering. Building codes dictate that spray foam needs a thermal barrier between itself and occupiable living space. How these thermal barriers are achieved varies by building code.
Working with South Central Services FAQ
Can I Call For A Quote?
South Central Services is not able to provide estimates over the phone. Creating an accurate quote requires detailed project information. Ideally, our team would also complete a site visit with you.
You are welcome to call our team to ask questions about pricing, scheduling, and products. However, that phone call will be the starting point of creating a quote. An accurate estimate cannot be generated during that call.
Set yourself up for success by reviewing the questions we ask during our first phone call.
How Long Does It Take To Get My Quote?
The first step to getting your free quote is to request your quote on our website. But we won't create a quote based on just the information you're able to provide at that point.
In order to generate the most accurate quote, we need to first complete a site visit. After your site visit, we will complete and send your free quote within 3 to 5 business days.
How Long Does It Take To Schedule My Site Visit?
We'll schedule your site visit during our first phone call, which happens the first business day after you request your quote. We can schedule the site visit almost immediately, but when the site visit is scheduled will vary based on your availability and our current schedule.
The average turnaround time from the scheduling phone call to the actual site visit varies by project urgency, but it generally occurs within 5 business days.
How Quickly Can You Start My Insulation Project?
The more notice you're able to provide for your project, the better. However, we will do our best to work with your schedule. If your insulation work needs completed in the next few weeks, be prepared to fast-track this process by responding to phone calls and emails as timely as possible.
How Long Will My Insulation Project Take?
The duration of your insulation project will depend on a variety of factors, such as the size of the space, prep work, and type of insulation project. After speaking with our team and completing your site visit, you'll know how long your job is projected to take.
Does Your Team Service Where I Live?
South Central Services installs insulation in areas of southern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
See our service area map to better determine if your project is located in our service area.
Our team does service the entirety of 8 counties. If you live in these counties, you do not need to check the map to ensure you live within our service area.
- Adams County, PA
- Cumberland County, PA
- Franklin County, PA
- Fulton County, PA
- Frederick County, MD
- Washington County, MD
- Berkeley County, WV
- Jefferson County, WV
Our team also services parts of 9 other counties. See if your town is listed for:
What Our Customers Are Saying
"SCS did a great job coming in and insulating a building I was remodeling with spray foam. Highly recommend them. Timely estimate and job completion. Jobsite was clean when they left and very fair prices."
Brenton Lehman from Chambersburg, PA
"We had them come in to do spray foam insulation. The employees were very professional. They do their job well. And the clean up was absolutely amazing. We highly recommend them."
Kimberly Kampen from Greencastle, PA
"Did an amazing job. Would recommend to anyone that wants high quality spray foam."
Slade Martin from Mercersburg, PA
"Just had them spray foam a basement project. Excellent work! The crew was very thorough and cleaned up the work area after they were done. I was surprised how affordable spray foam insulation is."
Loren Martin from Martinsburg, WV
"Great professional spray foam job on an older farm house remodeling job. Easy to work with, professionally done, highly recommended."
Rick Hissong from Mercersburg, PA
"Fast, effective and friendly. Did good work. Sales pitch was not pushy. Great experience."
John Gipe from Chambersburg, PA
"South Central Services installed spray foam insulation. Always timely and courteous. They did a great job and cleaned up. Highly recommend."
Sandy Mccollum from Waynesboro, PA