Foam Insulation FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers about foam insulation
What type of structures can you insulate with injection foam insulation?
Injection foam insulation is one of the best home insulation methods. Virtually any type of building, both residential and commercial can be insulated with injection foam. This means that almost any existing wall cavity can benefit from injection foam installation! Injection foam is also an excellent way to insulate concrete block walls. This includes basements, crawlspaces, workshops, and commercial buildings.
Even new construction homes or buildings can be insulated with injection foam insulation. We can keep a new construction project on-time by insulating from the outside while interior finish work continues. Our product involves no hazmat suits and no toxic off-gassing and reduces delays in your construction timeline.
Why not spray foam insulation?
Injection foam insulation can be used as an alternative to spray foam insulation. Spray foam insulation is an excellent option for new construction, but is not ideal for retrofitting existing homes. In order to apply spray foam insulation, you must remove the drywall, or be a new construction project. With our product, the insulation is injected through a small hole in the exterior of the wall cavity. This is why injection foam insulation is perfect for retrofitting older homes, including historic homes.
Our injection foam insulation has no toxic off-gassing like polyurethane spray foam insulation products. This means you can occupy your home as usual while your insulation is being upgraded with our product. Additionally, open cell spray foam insulation has an R-value of approximately 3.6-3.9 per inch, while our insulation boasts an R-value of 5.0 per inch.
Why not cellulose insulation?
Cellulose insulation can settle over time inside of the wall cavity, creating large gaps in the envelope of the structure. The cellulose can lose up to 20% of it’s “R” value over time. The R-value of cellulose is also only 3.5 per inch, which is low compared to our 5.0 per inch.
Additionally, cellulose requires a much larger hole in the wall cavity than injection foam. (2″ for cellulose vs. 5/8-1″ for injection foam). Another benefit of foam over cellulose is that foam never settles or shifts. Once pumped into the wall, the foam is injected via compressed air until it completely fills the empty space. This seals all of the “nooks and crannies” of the wall cavity, which reduces air infiltration and provides a more complete thermal envelope for your home.
Already have cellulose in your walls? The truth is, cellulose has a life-span. That’s right – cellulose is not a forever insulation solution. Cellulose has a lifespan of approximately 20-30 years. In fact, it starts breaking down after about year 15. Foam insulation can be applied in addition to the existing cellulose in order to fill in these gaps to ensure your home is well-insulated. This is especially important to do if you know the cellulose has settled in your wall. Injection foam insulation does not settle, compress, or shrink over time. Foam insulation helps to seal in the areas in which the cellulose has failed.
How much does the service cost?
We provide detailed estimates after a site survey, ensuring accurate measurements and addressing any queries before scheduling insulation services. The project cost is influenced by several variables, and our aim is to offer a precise estimate. As a locally owned business, we provide competitive pricing, prioritizing your comfort and potential energy savings. We accept payments via check, cash, and credit card. Based in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, we extend our services across most of the state. Reach out to us to discuss your upcoming project!
Can foam insulation be applied to homes that are already insulated?
Yes! It depends on what kind of product was used to insulate initially, but foam insulation can generally be applied on top of cellulose or fiberglass without removing them. Your cellulose or fiberglass may have shifted or compressed, leaving your home exposed to temperature fluctuation and drafts. During the estimate, we can investigate your current insulation needs using thermal imaging. This can tell us exactly where you may be losing heat in the winter or cool air in the summer.
Does foam insulation help with decreasing ambient noise?
Foam insulation is a great way to reduce outside noise coming into your home. This is especially important for home-owners that might be dealing with an influx of excess road noise, etc. Our product has undergone thorough acoustic testing and we would be happy to provide that data upon request.
How much money can I save on heating/cooling?
It is difficult to give exact numbers, but a home insulated with foam can allow you to reduce your energy costs and maintain comfort in your home. We estimate that it takes about 3-4 years of energy savings to pay off the cost of insulating. However, this is going to depend on what type of heating and cooling system you have and how comfortable you like to keep your home. Energy costs are also rising year after year, in which case it is possible to recoup your insulation investment sooner.
Additionally, it is estimated that up to 30% of heated or cooled air is lost through air infiltration. Since foam insulation seals gap, cracks, and crevices and provides the best R-value – it is a great choice for increasing energy efficiency.
How much time does it take to do the work? Will I be able to live in my home?
Typically, our team can complete the installation in a day, tailored to the size of your home. The process, carried out externally, ensures minimal disruption to your daily activities. The insulation material sets quickly within the wall cavity, guaranteeing efficiency without prolonged disturbance.
Our commitment to a hassle-free experience extends to a non-intrusive process with no toxic off-gassing. While the installation is swift and discreet, the benefits are enduring – from heightened energy efficiency to increased comfort. Should you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out. We’re here to ensure your home’s comfort and efficiency enhancements are seamlessly integrated into your lifestyle.
Can you insulate basements?
Yes! In fact, injection foam is a great way to insulate block walls. Masonry block is porous and lets a lot of cold air in. If you have a finished basement that is too cold to enjoy spending time in, you definitely want to consider foam insulation!
It is also possible to use injection foam on concrete poured basements if you also have drywall present.
Does foam insulation help with pests or mold?
It depends! if you have an existing pest problem, that will need to be remediated before foam will help keep them out.
Often, rodents and other pests will search for warmth and sense openings in your home’s structure that will seem inviting. Foam helps create a barrier that resists air flow and therefore can make your home less inviting to pests. Also, mice like to tunnel through and create nests with fiberglass insulation and they cannot do that with foam.
Mold requires a food source to proliferate and the foam insulation does not feed mold spores. If you have an existing mold problem, that would need to be remediated. Foam insulation, however, is a great step to take to help prevent mold issues in your wall cavities.
Does foam insulation provide a fire barrier?
The foam insulation that we inject has a 4 hour, Class I fire rating, which is the maximum amount of fire rating that can be achieved for an exterior wall. The fire rating is calculated as the amount of time determined that an exterior wall can withstand fire exposure. Because of its fire resistant properties, injection foam can be utilized as a means of fireproofing in commercial construction.