What are the Benefits?
Spray Foam Insulation Guide for Homeowners

SPF Saves You Money and Pays for Itself

SPF home insulation saves on energy costs and lowers utility bills. SPF is used to seal the entire “building envelope” of your home to prevent air and moisture infiltration. The US Department of Energy (DOE) studies show that 40% of your home’s energy is lost due to air infiltration. This air infiltrates the home in the form of drafts through walls sockets, windows and doorways.

Often times no expensive building wrap or additional vapor protection is required during construction when using SPF, saving money yet again.

High R-Value

Sprayed polyurethane foam has an aged R-value of approximately 6.0 per 1 inch thickness (depending on the particular formulation and application, higher values have been achieved), enabling it to provide more thermal resistance with less material than any other type of commercial insulation material. SPF systems are frequently used to insulate and protect a wide variety of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

Monthly energy and utility savings of 30% or greater can be achieved when compared to the alternative roofing and insulation systems. The cost of an SPF roof or insulation system can often be recovered in less than 5 years, simply through energy savings alone.

Prevents Air, Moisture and Gas Infiltration

Studies have shown that as much as 40% of a building’s total energy loss is due to air infiltration. Traditional fiberglass insulation is only stapled, or placed into the wall cavities and does not seal the stud and wall cavities from end to end, or top to bottom. Air infiltration can pass through these gaps, making it far less efficient than SPF. SPF not only adheres to, but forms to the walls and floors to create a tight seal and insulating barrier that stops this air leakage. SPF also boasts the highest R-value per inch than any other commercial material, (upwards of R-7.0, compared with Fiberglass at R-3.5) making your home more comfortable and less expensive to heat in the winter, and cool in the summer.

Since SPF acts as an air barrier, it also helps to reduce moisture infiltration, which is a source of dangerous mold and mildew growth in the home, and can cause severe health problems to its occupants. So save your family and save money at the same time with SPF home insulation systems. Moisture infiltration can also cause structural damage to your home or building.

Helps Reduce Moisture and Mold

Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. SPF insulation is the key.

Enhances Overall Building Stability

Since SPF is seamless and monolithic, foam sprayed into the walls enhances overall building stability and reduces “rack and sheer.”

Deadens Sound Travel and Noise

SPF also reduces airborne sound making the home acoustically tighter and more private from room to room.

"Your Comfort is our Business!"

Why Select Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation?

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation helps keep homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Because it is sprayed directly into the gaps, cracks and other surfaces that contribute to heat loss, it both insulates and air seals, offering one of the easiest and most effective ways of weatherizing existing homes and new construction. When installed following proper safety and handling guidelines, spray polyurethane foam can help...

Help save on energy bills*

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates (for all insulation) that homeowners who air seal and insulate their homes can save up to 20% of heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% total energy costs). (Source: Energy Star)

SPF resists heat transfer better than many other insulation materials, with R-values typically in the range of 3.5 - 6.5 per one inch of thickness. R-value is a term used to rate an insulation's ability to resist conductive heat transfer. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation's ability is to reduce conductive heat flow.

Because SPF insulation minimizes air infiltration, it assists in preventing moisture vapor from entering and escaping the home, which in turn reduces the load on heating and cooling systems.

*Savings vary. Find out why in the seller's fact sheet on R-values. Higher R-values mean greater insulating power.

Reduce heating and air conditioning size

SPF is an effective air barrier.

Minimize air infiltration that can generate condensation and result in mold growth

Seal small cracks to insulate large areas, such as walls and roofs

Because SPF is spray-applied on site, it can more easily insulate and seal the small cracks common in homes. The application also makes expansive surfaces - like walls, attics and roofs - easy to cover in a relatively short amount of time.

Depending on the application, different types of SPF may be used. (See "Types of SPF insulation and how it's applied")

Resist settling due to its general stability

Typically not subjected to structural deterioration/decomposition and resists settling.
Qualify for utility rebates, tax credits and green certification

The energy savings obtained by air sealing homes is significant enough that the purchase and use of SPF products may qualify for tax credits under the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allows for a tax credit of 30% on the purchase of energy efficient products, up to a maximum of $1,500 per year in 2010. Check with the manufacturer for confirmation that the specific SPF product qualifies for the tax credit and for further information and instructions on filing for the credit.

Many local utility companies offer rebates for energy efficiency upgrades. Check with your utility provider for eligibility.

To learn more about federal tax credits for energy efficiency, you can visit the ENERGY STAR web site on Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency.

For new construction or major remodel projects, the use of SPF may help earn energy-efficiency credits under residential green certification programs. A few sources you can visit include:

Green Globes

U.S. Green Building Council - LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

National Association of Home Builders - information on scoring details

What are the Benefits? Spray Foam Insulation Guide for Homeowners