Spray foam insulation can seal the home from air or moisture intrusion. Spray foam insulation can save on costly utility bills and at the same time protect the health of the family from dangerous mold and dust. Spray foam insulation adds strength to the building structure and does not sag. It reduces the wear and maintenance of HVAC equipment.

What is spray foam insulation?

Spray foam insulation is polyurethane foam pumped into the home to insulate walls, ceilings. It helps to keep the heat inside during the cold months and the hot air outside when it's warm. Like any insulation, there are pros and cons to spray foam. Some spray foam has to be installed by professionals therefore they can be expensive. However since it's a spray and not a long piece of pink fiberglass, spray foam insulation gets into all of the tiny nooks and crannies, providing better insulation. Drafts are filled and the house is warmer in the winter. No cold air can escape in the summer either. Vermin and bugs have a hard time getting into the house as the spray foam insulation fills every little crack and crevice. Therefore you can save on extermination bills. It being a good adherent, it can stick to a floor and insulate from underneath.

Spray foam - do it yourself

Some years back, spray applied insulation required a professional and machinery. With progress in technology and improved foam chemistry spray foam insulation has become a simplified process. Handi-foam kits and self-contained kits are the result of modern technology. These kits require no special training to use and can be operated without power. In short, spraying polyurethane foam can be done without prior training, as the function is similar to point and spray. All that is required of the user is to follow the simple instructions given in the manual.

Basic guidelines to use spray foam insulation kits

1. Wear overalls and gloves, eye protection and dust mask while using spray foam insulation kits. Cover floors, carpets, furniture etc to protect them from over-spray. For ventilation open windows and if necessary use a fan to push air into the room.
2. Since spraying foam is similar to spray paint, so start off with a thin layer and build up as needed. The foam expands before hardening and the foam flow is controlled by how much you depress the trigger.
3. Warm the tank to 86 Fahrenheit and shake the tanks before spraying.