Insulating your home is one of the best investments you can make. Proper insulation improves energy efficiency, making your home more comfortable and affordable to live in. It also protects against moisture, noise, and extreme temperatures. When it’s time to insulate your home, spray foam insulation is an excellent option to consider.
What is spray foam insulation?
Spray foam insulation is a two-part liquid insulation material that expands and hardens when applied. The two liquid components consist of an isocyanate and a polymeric resin. When combined, these materials expand up to 30-60 times their initial volume through a chemical reaction that forms small cells filled with insulating gas. It quickly expands to fill cracks, crevices, and spaces, bonding tightly to walls, floors, and roof decks.
There are two main types of spray foam insulation:
- Closed-cell spray foam – Made of polyurethane foam that’s denser and more rigid. The small, closed cells trap insulating gas to form an effective moisture and air barrier.
- Open-cell spray foam – Made of polyurethane foam with a sponge-like appearance. The open cells allow for moisture movement while still providing insulation.
Most homes use closed-cell spray foam for insulation. It has a higher R-value than open cell foam, meaning it offers more thermal resistance and insulation per inch. Closed-cell foam also provides structural stability and air sealing benefits.
How does spray foam insulation work?
Spray foam insulation provides excellent insulating and air sealing qualities for homes. Here’s how it works:
- The liquid foam mixture expands and spreads into cracks and spaces.
- It cures and hardens into a solid foam plastic.
- The millions of tiny cells trap insulating gas molecules.
- Heat has trouble flowing through the cells, creating an effective insulation barrier.
- The foam adheres tightly to surfaces, reducing gaps where air and moisture can penetrate.
Unlike fiberglass batts or blown-in cellulose, spray foam completely seals spaces and cracks. It provides a continuous layer of air-tight insulation fully bonding to your walls, roof, and flooring.
What are the benefits of spray foam insulation?
Here are some of the main benefits that spray foam insulation offers for homes:
Improved energy efficiency
By providing a continuous insulation barrier that stops air leaks and heat flow, spray foam enables a more energy efficient home. According to the Department of Energy, air leakage accounts for up to 40% of heating and cooling energy losses in some homes. Spray foam creates an airtight seal that prevents conditioned air from escaping and unconditioned air from entering your home. This improved air sealing can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 20% or more.
Better temperature regulation
Spray foam helps maintain more consistent indoor temperatures. On hot days, it slows heat gain to keep your home cooler. On cold days, it slows heat loss to retain warmth. Your HVAC system will not need to work as hard to maintain desired temperatures. Your home will feel more comfortably temperate in both winter and summer.
Prevents moisture issues
By sealing cracks and gaps, spray foam minimizes areas where moisture can enter your home. It also creates an effective air barrier, preventing moist air from condensing and penetrating building cavities. Reducing moisture ingress helps prevent mold, rot, pests, and structural issues.
Reduces noise
The dense cellular structure of spray foam dampens noise vibrations. Adding it to walls and ceilings can noticeably reduce outside noise from entering your living spaces. It helps minimize noise transfer between rooms too.
Long-lasting insulation
Unlike fiber batts that can sag or deteriorate over time, spray foam maintains its form and insulation value for the lifetime of your home. As it bonds tightly to building materials, you don’t have to worry about future gaps or cracks forming.
How much does spray foam insulation cost?
The average national cost to install spray foam insulation is $1,491. Homeowners pay between $873 and $2,863 depending on the type of foam, required insulation thickness, and total square footage. Here are some factors affecting spray foam insulation costs:
| Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Closed-cell spray foam | $1.50 – $2.00 per board foot* |
| Open-cell spray foam | $0.40 – $0.70 per board foot* |
| Insulation thickness | $1.00 – $1.50 per square foot per inch thickness |
| Attic insulation (R-value 30) | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| Wall insulation (R-value 15) | $750 – $2,250 |
*A board foot is defined as 1-foot x 1-foot x 1-inch.
Other factors like your home’s location, contractor fees, special ventilation needs, and any repairs needed before installation can all increase overall costs. Get multiple quotes to find the best value professional for your specific insulation project.
Does spray foam insulation increase home value?
Investing in spray foam insulation for your home can increase its resale value. Here are some key ways spray foam boosts your home’s value on the market:
Energy efficiency
With an insulation upgrade like spray foam, your home becomes much more energy efficient. This makes it less expensive to maintain comfortable temperatures all year. Lower energy costs are very appealing to home buyers.
Improved comfort
Spray foam insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures. It minimizes draftiness, cold spots, moisture issues, and outside noise. Living spaces become more consistently comfortable in every season, an attractive feature for potential buyers.
Durability
Spray foam lasts for the life of the home when properly installed. It maintains stable R-values and an airtight building envelope over time. This saves new homeowners from big insulation repair costs down the road.
Enhanced aesthetics
Spray foam can give your home a facelift too. When installing in finished areas, it creates a smoother look by conforming tightly to surfaces. You can eliminate insulation debris around access points like outlets and fixtures. It covers unsightly gaps and cracks improving interior appearance.
Greater peace of mind
Having spray foam insulation professionally installed gives buyers confidence in your home’s construction quality. It signals that you cared for and invested in the property they are considering purchasing.
How much value does spray foam insulation add?
The value spray foam insulation adds to your home depends on several factors. But in general, you can expect a 50%-90% return on investment from spray foam insulation projects.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the right insulation system yields around $1.50 in energy savings for every $1 invested in the first year. These savings continue providing a great return year after year.
One study found a home’s value increased by about $15 for every $1 in annual energy savings gained after a foam insulation project. If spray foam saves $400 per year on bills, that could mean a $6,000 boost in resale value.
The biggest factor is how much your home’s energy efficiency improves. Upgrading from little to no insulation to a fully foam-insulated building envelope makes a substantial impact on home value. Going from R-5 levels to R-15 or more can add 5% or more to resale value.
Spray foam insulation cost recoup estimates:
| Project Cost | Added Home Value | Value Increase Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $500 – $900 | 50% – 90% |
| $5,000 | $2,500 – $4,500 | 50% – 90% |
| $10,000 | $5,000 – $9,000 | 50% – 90% |
These estimates will vary based on your climate, utility costs, and the types of upgrades made. Professional appraisals before and after your insulation project can provide more accurate value measurements.
Should I invest in spray foam insulation?
If you’re considering spray foam for your home, here are some key questions to help decide if it’s a smart investment:
How long will you live in your home?
If you plan to occupy your home for many years, spray foam insulation can provide great comfort and cost savings from improved efficiency. If selling in the near future, spray foam still boosts resale potential.
What renovations are needed?
If you need siding, roofing, or other exterior renovations done in the near future, it’s smart to add insulation at the same time since walls will already be exposed. Combining projects reduces costs.
Does your home lack adequate insulation?
If your home still has little to no insulation, spray foam provides major upgrades in efficiency and comfort. Even adding insulation to attics, crawl spaces, and foundations that lack effective insulation provides noticeable benefits.
Are energy bills too high?
Spray foam insulation can lower heating and cooling costs substantially, providing significant savings over time. It’s a smart investment if energy bills are becoming a burden.
Is your home uncomfortable?
If certain rooms or whole levels of your home are difficult to keep comfortably temperate, spray foam insulation addresses these issues through improved air sealing.
Are pests or moisture intruding?
Spray foam insulation deters pests, dust, pollen, and moisture from entering your living spaces. It can provide healthier indoor air quality.
Conclusion
Adding spray foam insulation improves home energy efficiency, comfort, air quality, and durability. With up to 90% return on investment, it also noticeably boosts your home’s value for resale. If you regularly experience high energy bills, uncomfortable temperatures, or other issues caused by inadequate insulation, spray foam upgrades can provide major benefits.
Work with qualified insulation professionals and request quotes from at least 3 contractors. Look for spray foam brands that are Class 1 fire rated with long life expectancies. With smart planning and proper installation, spray foam insulation can be one of the best investments you make in your home.