Spray foam is an efficient way to provide insulation for residential and commercial buildings. If you’re an insulation contractor, it’s crucial to know the tips and tricks for applying spray foam in any setting. Do you know how thick your spray foam insulation should be when applied? Keep reading to learn the answer and more tips for calculating polyurethane foam thickness.
Recommended Spray Foam Thickness
For the best results, each type of spray foam you use should be at least several inches thick after applying. It’s important to note that different thicknesses depend on the type of foam you are applying. Open-cell foam requires additional thickness to properly insulate; however, open-cell foam expands more than closed-cell spray foam, so it will have no trouble reaching your desired thickness. Closed-cell foam should generally be sprayed four to five inches thick for ceilings and roofing and two to three inches thick for wall insulation. Open-cell foam should be a few inches thicker, with six to ten inches for the ceiling or roof and at least three inches for walls.
Consider Your Spray Foam Goals
When applying spray foam insulation and choosing a thickness for your spray, it’s important to consider your goals for the building. If you want to spray enough foam to create an air seal and promote thermal resistance, the standard thickness for polyurethane insulation will sufficiently meet your goals. There are some special instances where you might wish to add more foam to a surface, such as for noise reduction purposes. However, for most sprays, you will only need the standard several inches of foam depending on the spray foam type.
Avoid Over-Insulating
Another tip to note when calculating spray foam thickness is to avoid over-spraying during your application. While more thickness results in a higher R-value, over-insulating can cause you to lose efficiency and waste money on materials. For example, open-cell foam starts to plateau in heat resistance at six to seven inches in thickness. Over-spraying won’t result in better heat resistance; it will only waste money and materials. For this reason, educate your customers and urge them against over-spraying when they order spray foam services.
As a contractor, it’s crucial to understand thickness for the spray foam insulation application and educate your customers. If you’re a contractor looking to get started in the field, you can find a variety of contractor spray foam systems on our website. Visit our shop here at Spray Foam Systems to find all the equipment your business needs.
