Spray foam services, such as foam insulation, concrete raising, and protective coating applications, are in high demand as modern building resources. This makes now a prime time to finish your training and pursue a startup spray foam business. To develop your own business as a contractor, you’ll need the right equipment to get started. Keep reading to learn the key equipment pieces you’ll need, as well as the five best spray foam brands to consider as you invest in your startup business.
Equipment You Need as a Spray Foam Contractor
To start a spray foam company, you’re going to need the proper equipment for the jobs you want to take on. The following items are some of the main pieces to look for as a spray foam contractor, especially if you want to start spray foam insulation and spray coating work.
Spray Guns
The spray foam gun is what you use to apply insulation and other polyurethane foam mixtures. There are many unique spray foam gun styles, including mechanical, air-purge, and solvent-purge models. You may choose a distinctive style of spray gun depending on the type of machine you use or the type of foam you’re mixing.
Spray Foam Systems
The spray foam system contains the various equipment and parts you need to apply the foam mixture. Spray foam systems include a reactor, proportioner, pump, and motor that combine the A and B sides to form your foam mixture. You can choose from many different types of systems, including hydraulic models, air-driven machines, and electrical motorized systems.
Spray Hoses and Accessories
Spray foam hoses and accessories help connect the unique parts of your spray foam system. Without spray hoses, your polyurethane foam mixture wouldn’t be able to flow from the proportioner to the spray gun for application. There are also other accessories that you may need, such as heated hoses or drums for your materials if you work in a colder climate.
When stocking spray foam accessories, don’t forget to purchase spray foam safety gear. You should never take on a contracting job without proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Spray foam PPE helps protect your skin and airways from chemical irritation. Spray foam PPE includes items such as eye and face masks, respirators, chemical-resistant gloves, protective body suits, and hard hats.
Rigs
Upgrading to a spray foam rig provides you with a trailer where you can install and store all your polyurethane equipment, supplies, and materials. Having a rig helps the contractor stay organized and ensures all their equipment is properly stored. Proper storage is essential for maintaining your equipment and prolonging its use, so consider upgrading to a rig if you’re serious about providing long-term spray foam services. Having a spray foam rig also allows you to increase your working range and scope of services, giving you room to evolve your startup business.
The Best Spray Foam Brands for Startup Businesses
Now that you know the spray foam equipment pieces you need for your startup, you must consider which spray foam brand will best suit your work needs. If you’re new to the industry, you may not recognize some of the most trusted brands on the market. Here are the top five brands you want to look for as a startup spray foam contractor. These brands will provide high-quality equipment that lasts for long periods and outperforms the competition.
Graco
Graco is one of the best names in the spray foam industry. Graco offers a wide range of spray foam machines, including air-driven and hydraulic reactors. As a beginner spray foam contractor, you may want to start with an air-driven reactor for smaller jobs. Using this equipment at the start will also help you stretch your budget. As you take on a wider variety of jobs, Graco is an ideal choice for a hydraulic system or a spray foam rig.
PMC (Polyurethane Machinery Corporation)
PMC offers a full lineup of spray foam and polyurethane machines, ranging from air-driven to hydraulic types. An added benefit of PMC machines is that they offer pressure balance control and a cycle down counter. Like Graco machines, they are a great starting point for beginner contractors who need reliable equipment.
Nitrosys
Nitrosys offers top-quality low-pressure plural component proportioners. As a new contractor, you won’t need to begin with a high-pressure system unless you plan to start insulating or coating large-scale industrial buildings right away. For most startup businesses, a low-pressure system is perfect for residential jobs and other starter spray foam applications.
IPM
IPM is another common name in the spray foam industry. Once you need replacement parts for your spray foam equipment, turn to IPM. This brand supplies high-quality transfer pumps and other replacement parts your polyurethane system needs. It’s never a bad idea to have replacement parts on hand for last-minute repairs, which helps prevent downtime on the job.
Bullard
Bullard carries a wide range of both spray foam equipment and protective gear for contractors. Bullard offers everything from air hoses and pumps to respirator capes for spray foam safety. Respirators are extremely important for new spray foam contractors to use to protect their airways. Always use a respirator when working in tight spaces that may have less natural ventilation.
Where To Find the Top Spray Foam Equipment Brands
You can find all these top brands as well as our own official spray foam products at Spray Foam Systems. We offer a wide selection of spray foam equipment, accessories, safety gear, and rigs from the top brands that expert contractors trust. If you’re looking for your first contractor spray foam system, you can rely on our selection and our friendly team to help you find the system that meets your startup business’s needs.
Now that you know the top five spray foam brands for your startup business, you can start investing in the equipment you need to begin your new venture. From there, you can start taking on residential and commercial clients in need of polyurethane services. Between spray foam insulation, protective coatings, and concrete raising, there are plenty of services your startup business can provide. Stretch your initial budget by starting with base models, such as air-driven systems, and build up your work so you can eventually upgrade to the spray foam rig and hydraulic system of your dreams.
