It’s crucial to know how cold weather conditions will affect your spray foam jobs so that you can give your clients an accurate estimate of the application time and cost. Here are four ways that cold weather can affect your spray foam job. Consider these factors as you schedule spray foam projects during the upcoming winter months.
Foam Expansion Rate
The cold temperatures of the winter can cause spray foam to act differently during application. When applying spray foam in cold weather, you may notice a lower foam expansion rate. Spray foam materials react more slowly during the cold. You’ll need to accommodate for this slow expansion rate by allowing spray foam more time to fully rise and expand before applying additional layers.
Difficult Material Storage
When planning an application in cold weather, storing your spray foam mixing materials at the proper temperature is crucial. Foam insulation chemicals can freeze and react negatively when they become too cold. Always keep your spray foam materials at a comfortable temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help prevent your spray foam from freezing and ensure the foam mixes well during your insulation job.
Issues With Condensation and Humidity
During the winter, condensation forms when indoor air cannot hold water vapor. This leads to more condensation on application surfaces. If you’re targeting building materials such as metals and other cool surfaces, the hot temperature of the spray foam can cause condensation upon contact. Note the temperature of the room or building you’re insulating—it’s best to heat a space to at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit to promote the best application conditions and foam adhesion.
Additional Application Time
Because of the low expansion rate and other difficulties involved with applying spray foam in wintry weather, plan for more extended spray foam jobs in the winter. Be sure to let your clients know that cold weather could impact their spray foam applications and extend your estimated job time.
Now that you know the four biggest ways cold weather can affect your spray foam job, use this information to better plan your upcoming jobs this winter. Stock up on heating accessories and other spray foam equipment here at Spray Foam Systems. We can get your rig set with everything you need for upcoming projects.
