Spray foam insulation is a type of insulation made of a polyurethane-type liquid. When combined with air, it expands to fit into the interior of stud walls and rafter and joist spaces. It makes for a great sealant as it fills tiny gaps and reduces air leakage.
Where to Use Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation can be used in different house areas to create an effective air barrier. Common areas in your home where you can use it include:
- Crawl spaces and basements
- Gas and electrical penetrations
- Water feature fillers
- Foundation and sliding meeting point
- Wall joints in the garage ceiling
- Vents and exterior faucets
- Stonewall repair
- HVAC systems
Spray Foam Insulation Costs
The cost of spray foam insulation will depend on various factors, including the kind of material used, the location of your home, whether it is new construction or an old building, and the labor cost in the area. The average cost ranges between $3,000 and $10,000. It is comparatively easy to add spray foam insulation to a new house than an already existing one. The walls and ceilings are still unfinished and open, making it less laborious. Insulating a new home may cost at least $1 less per square foot than an existing home.
Another factor determining the cost of insulating a home is the spray foam insulation used. There are two types of spray foam insulations:
Open-Cell Insulation
The cells in open-cell insulation don’t form complete encapsulations. This results in flexible and softer foam. Open-cell foam insulation costs will average between $0.44 and $0.65 per board foot. The benefits of adding open-cell insulation include:
- It enables bi-directional drying
- It can adapt to long haul creep and seasonal movement
- Prevents mold growth
- Offers strong dampening characteristics making it ideal for theaters and media rooms
- Has a lower average cost per square foot.
Closed-Cell Insulation
Closed-cell insulation is applied by combining a polyurethane liquid with air, enabling it to expand and seal gaps and spaces. It features wholly encased air cells. These encased air cells make the insulation denser and more moisture resistant. The average cost of closed-cell insulation is between $1.00 and $1.50 per board foot. Its advantages include:
- Can reject mass water
- It can be applied at shallow temperatures.
- Includes wall racking strength and impact resistance
- Has a higher R-value per inch.
- Has a low vapor permeance
- Has a higher tensile and bond quality
Cost of Spray Foam Insulation by Location
While the average cost ranges between $3,000 and $10,000, the location of the insulation will also affect its actual cost. Given below is the average cost of spray foam insulation for different parts of your home:
Garage
Most of the time, garages are not insulated when they are first built. People think of insulating a garage only after adding living space above it. Garage insulation can help reduce the energy costs of heat loss. The average cost of insulating a two-car garage is between $0.50 and $1.25 per square foot.
Basement
Basements will not need as much insulation as the rest of the home as their surroundings to help keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The average cost of insulating a basement is $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot.
Attic
Attic insulation is the most important part of your home that needs insulation. Since heat rises, most homes have twice as much insulation in the attic as they do in the rest of the home. The average cost of insulating an attic is $1,500 and $6,000.
Roof
Roof insulation can help retain heat in your home or convert your attic into a livable space. The average cost of insulating your roof with spray foam is $1,500 and $4,500.
Walls
Most newly constructed homes will use spray foam insulation below the exterior house siding. Wall insulation costs between $1 and $4 per square foot.
Labor Cost for Home Insulation
The labor cost for home insulation will also vary based on the installation method, accessibility of the area, and the equipment used. Spray foam insulation requires special equipment and protective gear to be worn by the people working with it. The average labor cost of spray foam in a newly constructed home is between $0.25 and $2.50 per square foot.
Other Factors That May Impact Cost
Besides the type of insulation used, location, and size of the home, other factors could affect the cost of insulation. Some other common factors include:
Energy Requirements
The energy requirements for new buildings in any location are governed by local, state, or federal codes. These codes will specify the R-value of the insulation in each area of the home. You must ensure your contractor knows these codes and adheres to them when building a new home. These requirements can impact the total cost of the insulation.
Energy Upgrades
You can get various energy upgrades that will affect the overall energy efficiency of your newly constructed home. These will improve overall thermal efficiency in your home and bring down the cost of insulation.
How Long Does it Take to Install Spray Foam Insulation?
It can take days or weeks to install insulation in a newly constructed home. The insulation contractors need to inspect and approve the framing and other aspects of the house before installing the insulation. Once all the plans are approved and finalized, the date arrives. Usually, two crews visit the new home on the installation day and start spray foaming the open cavities. Typically, it can take two days to insulate a 2,000 to 2,500-square-foot home from top to bottom. This time includes any preparation around windows and doors, covering certain items in the house, and cleaning up studs for the contractor who will hang the drywall.
https://fdinsulation.com/attic-insulation/spray-foam/ offers spray foam insulation services for residential and commercial systems. Our Houston attic insulation contractor team is dedicated to improving energy efficiency, structural durability, and indoor air quality through the use of our top-of-the-line spray foam insulation.
First Defense Insulation,
12 Greenway Plaza Suite 1147 Houston Texas 77046,
713-808-9853
