Below you’ll find answers to our most commonly asked questions. If you don’t find your answer, please contact us online by clicking here or by phone at (843)732-8234 Mon-Sat from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST
Closed Cell Spray Foam (also referred to as medium density or 2lb foam)
Closed cell foam is comprised of cells that are completely surrounded by polyurethane material. The cells are completely closed. Because they are pressed together, moisture and air cannot get inside the foam as they can with open cell foam. This makes closed cell foam usable in places where its open cell would not be recommended.
Closed cell spray foam is also denser, heavier, and stickier. This gives it the ability to add strength to structures. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) closed-cell spray foam insulation in a wall cavity improved the racking strength by 330%-400% over fiberglass insulation.
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Open Cell Spray Foam (also referred to as low density or 1/2 lb foam)
Open cell spray foam is made of hollow cells. 1/2 lb foam is lighter and will “breathe” more than 2lb foam, but because of its design it does allow water to pass through. This can be a positive and negative trait for the product. This trait makes it a great product in areas where water is a concern such as roof decks. Open cell expands at a much greater rate than closed cell making it much better for areas that are challenging to reach or view.
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There have been many case studies and engineer opinion pieces on this topic. According to all these studies foam will not cause any negative effects on your shingles life. Many people actually believe it could extend the life as it helps maintain the roof deck temperature compared to the outside.
In a standard vented attic once the sun goes down the outside of the shingles will cool down quickly while your attic space will still be radiating heat to the roof deck heating up the backside of the shingles. Spray foam on the roof deck would help modulate the temperature and make it so that the temperatures are not fluctuating drastically.
Spray foam adheres to nearly all clean substrates. As long as the proper steps are taken for cleaning the surface and it does not have oil or other debris spray foam will stick! There are some surfaces such as chalky galvanized steel that we will give extra attention to. Adhesion is paramount for the foam to achieve maximum efficiency. While adhesion is a positive attribute for spray foam it can also be a downside if proper steps are not taken to cover and protect items that you do not want foam on! If a substrate is questionable we will get one of the reps from the foam manufacturing company involved to ensure the project goes perfect!
Arguably the largest drawback to spray foam is the cost of installation. Some argue that a drawback is if there is a roof leak it will not be immediately evident if the roof deck has spray foam (this is really only with closed cell foam). There really are no additional drawbacks unless improperly applied through either sub standard products or poorly maintained/cheap equipment is used.
As a two-component chemical system, spray foam is made by mixing parts A and part B. When the chemicals are installed correctly and precisely mixed, the chemicals will have a complete reaction. Part A of spray foam is typically formulated from methylene biphenyl diisocyanate, or MDI. Part A is a sensitizer and can cause asthma like reactions. It’s important to remain out of the work area unless you are wearing proper PPE for a period of at least 24 hours. If chemicals are installed incorrectly or off ratio by the installer, off-gassing can occur indefinitely, posing a continuous health hazard to occupants. This is why it’s extremely important to hire a company that understands the reaction process and has the proper equipment to install the chemicals at correct temperatures and at the correct 1:1 ratio.
The products we use have a class 1 fire rating. The biggest concerns with fire and spray foam are the flame spread index and smoke development rating. Spray foam has an ignition point of approximately 800 °F while the framing in your home has an ignition point of around 500 °F. We’ve conducted tests for the spray foam that we use and have put it in direct contact with an open flame. The spray foam will burn while in contact but extinguishes itself once the flame source is removed. This test was also conducted where the fire has an ample amount of oxygen supply. In areas such as a wall cavity, the fire would have a very limited amount of oxygen. Building codes require that SPF be separated from interior spaces with a thermal barrier such as sheetrock or other materials. There are also intumescent coatings such as DC315 that we can apply over spray foam insulation which will make it fire proof for a period of time.
We hear a lot about the Froth Paks and DIY kits that you can buy online. There are several things to keep in mind when considering spray foam diy kits. These kits generally run around $1 per board foot which is about the price a professional installer will charge (on smaller jobs where there isn’t as many board feet there will be additional setup/cleanup fees).
The process of creating foam insulation requires a perfect mix of part a and part b to create a chemical reaction which makes the foam. Professional companies will usually have around $50,000 in equipment alone to mix and spray the insulation in correct proportions and volume. If the chemicals do not mix correctly or are to thick this can lead to an extremely bad experience that ultimately requires the foam to be removed. We strongly recommend doing extensive research online before tackling a diy spray foam kit.
We accept check, debit, or credit cards from Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. For debit or credit card transactions we charge a 2.5% transaction fee.
We do not have a minimum job size requirement but we do have a minimum trip charge of $1,450. Generally smaller projects such as insulating a recent remodel or renovation would fall under this category.
Spray foam insulation is priced per board foot (1 board foot is 12″ x 12″ x 1″) but it’s a little more complicated as there are variables that increase the price such as the size of the project, complexity, tools required such as scaffolding, or how difficult the area is to access. On an average size job closed cell spray foam is can vary between $1.25-$2.50 per board foot. Open cell spray foam is usually between $.50-$1.25 per board foot.
When you receive your invoice it will have the payment instructions on there. For checks, they can be mailed or provided in person. For electronic payments, they can be completed online or in person.
Estimates are completely 100% free! If you’re in a gated neighborhood we will ask you to inform security that we’re on the way but that’s it!
Although this can vary greatly depending on the project. Residential homes are generally under 1 hour from start to finish.
After the initial consultation at your home or business, we will have a detailed proposal for you the next business day unless under very rare circumstances! We will not keep you waiting on us!
In most cases we begin at 9:00 AM and we are finished by 5:00 PM. If these hours do not work with you schedule we can accommodate your needs.
Most of our customers are pleasantly surprised how clean our work area remains throughout the job. We are meticulous when it comes to prep work and we make sure that everything is covered and protected. Once the spray foam is finished we will do a thorough clean up of your home. It will be as clean when we leave as it was when we arrived!
We require that all residents leave the home for at least 24 hours once the job has started. Spray foam is harmful until the chemical process is complete.
Unless applied improperly or sub standard products are used the foam will be fully cured in 24 hours. There may be lingering smell however this will dissipate.
You can also give us a call at (843)732-8234
You can also give us a call!
