Many customers have questions about spray foam insulation during the consultation and installation processes. If you’re a spray foam contractor ready to take clients and accept installation jobs, you need to be prepared with answers to some of these commonly asked questions and concerns. But how do you respond to some of these hard-hitting questions when you’re just starting your business? Answers to many of these questions come with experience. Familiarize yourself with some of the frequently asked questions about spray foam insulation so that you’re ready for questions from curious clients.
Why Is Spray Foam Insulation Superior?
Spray foam insulation is one of the best—if not the superior—choice for insulation in modern homes. The benefits this type of insulation provides to home- and business-owners alike make it a go-to for any new and renovated buildings. With its higher R-value, it performs better than several other traditional insulation materials, including fiberglass. Additionally, spray foam doesn’t lose its R-value over its lifetime, especially with proper installation and maintenance.
Some spray foam varieties even have the potential to last a lifetime, with a life span of 80 years or more. Spray foam also goes a long way to protect your home from damage, with closed-cell foam being moisture- and fire-resistant. With all these benefits, it’s hard to choose any other insulation material over spray foam.
When Should I Install Spray Foam Insulation?
One of the benefits of spray foam insulation is that contractors can apply it to new builds or existing homes without much trouble. Ideally, you should try to schedule spray foam installation during the building phase of a new home to avoid the need to remove the drywall of a current home. The best window of time for spray foam installation is after the installation of the basic plumbing, electrical wiring, and air conditioning or heating ducts but before the drywall goes up. However, when you’re insulating indoor areas such as the crawl space, attic, or roof, the timing won’t matter, as these areas are easy to access in both new and established homes.
Which Is Better: Open- or Closed-Cell Foam?
The use of open- or closed-cell foam will depend entirely on the type of project and where the contractor will install the foam. Closed-cell foam and open-cell foam each has its own benefits and differences. For example, closed-cell foam is a better moisture-repellant, while you can install open-cell foam in a wider variety of locations. Therefore, open-cell foam is a better choice for some installations, while closed-cell foam is more ideal for others. As the contractor, you’ll need to get more information on the insulation requirements before recommending open- or closed-cell foam.
How Long Does the Installation Process Take?
This is another question that will depend on the spray foam project and location itself. Some residential spray foam projects such as attics or crawl spaces can take as little as a day or less. However, for larger locations—especially business offices or warehouses—installation might take days.
Another factor that can influence the time it takes to install spray foam is whether the building already has insulation installed. Unless you’re layering spray foam insulation materials, you’ll need to remove old insulation, which can add up in your scheduling time. Always alert the customer that removing old insulation will add to their installation times so that you and the client can schedule accordingly.
Will I Need to Leave During Spray Foam Installation?
Most spray foam experts recommend that homeowners should find temporary accommodation during and following spray foam installation. This is due to the strong odors and fumes that spray foam can produce during the process. Once the spray foam has had adequate time to cure, though, homeowners will never have to worry about fumes again, and the foam shouldn’t have any additional odor. Homeowners should wait at least 24 hours after the installation is complete for this curing process to finish.
Can Installing Spray Foam Insulation Save Me Money?
Some customers may be hesitant to invest in spray foam insulation if they’re on a budget, but another amazing benefit of spray foam is that it will start to pay them back in energy savings. Spray foam is one of the most efficient insulation materials, which leads to more efficient heating and cooling in your home. This is due to spray foam’s ability to prevent air leakage and to its heat-resistance properties. These properties do an excellent job of trapping heat inside the home in the winter months when you need it and keeping heat out during the dead of summer. This allows homeowners to rely less on their thermostats and saves them money on energy bills overall.
How Does Spray Foam Affect Resale Value?
Because spray foam insulation is one of the best options for insulation in modern homes, it makes sense that it would be on many homebuyers’ wish lists. Spray foam insulation can add considerable value to your home if you plan to sell the house one day. And because spray foam insulation has such a long life span, it won’t devalue your home. It’s an investment you’ll be able to make effective use of during your time in the home, and it will continue to add value to your home even when it comes time to sell it.
Remember the answers to these frequently asked questions about spray foam insulation for your own spray foam business and when you start to take customers. These are some of the most common questions that home- and business-owners ask when considering and scheduling spray foam applications for their buildings. Having these benefits and facts about spray foam on hand could be what convinces a future client to seal the deal on their spray foam investment.
And if you’re in need of insulation equipment such as turnkey spray foam rigs for your new spray foam business, check out our selection of equipment right here at Spray Foam Systems. We can get you started with the right equipment for the job, whether it’s a small residential project or for a business warehouse.
