Spray foam insulation is a premium product that offers homeowners a lot of benefits. It creates an air seal to stop drafts and help prevent energy loss, which can result in lower monthly utility bills. It also helps to block noise from room to room and makes it easier to keep homes at a comfortable temperature.
Before spraying, the crew will remove any existing insulation and prep the area for application if necessary. This may include removing wallboard and drywall in an attic, crawl space, or rim joist in an existing home, or it could mean prepping the walls of new construction, commercial structures, or pole barns for spray insulation. This process can be time consuming depending on the amount of spraying and the extent of prep required, but is vital to ensure a quality job.
A key part of the preparation involves heating the insulated spray equipment to an optimal operating temperature. The two separate components are drawn from different barrels and mixed as they spray, so they must be at the right temperatures to work properly. When a sprayer machine is operated under less-than-optimal conditions, it can waste product and cause other problems.
Another crucial step is to decide which type of spray foam is best for the project. There are two main options: open-cell and closed-cell foam. Closed-cell is more expensive but physically stronger, and it provides a vapor barrier that reduces the need for an additional vapor retarder. Open-cell is cheaper but loses its insulating properties when it gets wet, so it’s not suitable for areas that could get wet.