Frequently Asked Questions

HomeGuide's national range is $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot installed, with closed cell at $3.00 to $5.00. Rim joists commonly run $2,000 to $2,500, and many jobs have a $1,000 to $2,000 minimum. We give you a written price after measuring.

Each has its place. Foam seals air and handles moisture, so it wins on rim joists, foundation walls and tight spaces. Blown-in is cheaper per inch of R-value and usually wins on an open attic floor after the leaks are sealed.

It costs more per square foot, needs a cure period before you go back in, and is hard to remove if it was put in the wrong place. A careful installer avoids most problems by choosing where to use it and spraying in proper passes.

Wisconsin's code summary lists R-49 for ceilings in Zone 6. Over a sealed ceiling, that is roughly 13 to 16 inches of loose cellulose.

Yes. We dense-pack cellulose through small holes from outside or inside and patch them. We check wiring and blocking first.

Focus on Energy, the statewide program, has published rebates for attic, wall, foundation and sill insulation and for air sealing paired with insulation, paid through its registered Trade Ally contractors. Terms change each period, so check focusonenergy.com for current offers.

HomeGuide advises staying out of the sprayed area for at least 24 hours. In many basement jobs you can stay in the rest of the house if the area is sealed off and ventilated; we explain the plan for your house.

Closed-cell foam at typical thickness acts as a vapor retarder itself. Open-cell foam does not, so it needs a moisture plan where it is used. We explain which applies on your quote.

Foam needs a clean, dry surface to bond, so old batts usually come out of the area first. Loose fill in an attic can often stay if we are blowing more on top.

No. Foam is not a waterproofing repair. Leaks are addressed first; then foam insulates and seals the dry wall.

HomeGuide lists rim joist spray foam at about $2,000 to $2,500 for a typical home. The written estimate after measuring is your price.

Batts let air pass and can trap condensation against the cold wood. Closed-cell foam seals the surface and avoids that.

Rim joist foam alone makes a noticeable difference. Walls make most sense when you finish the space or use it often.

Exposed foam in living areas generally needs a fire-rated covering such as drywall. Requirements at the rim joist can differ, and we explain what applies.

HomeGuide puts a typical attic insulation job at $1,000 to $2,700, about $1,800 on average, and air sealing at $350 to $3,000. We give a written price after seeing the attic.

It removes the main cause, warm air reaching the roof deck. Roof shape, gutters and venting also matter, and we look at those too.

The kneewalls and sloped ceilings are usually thin and leaky. Foam in those spots is the fix.

Only if it is wet, moldy, soiled or blocking the sealing work. Otherwise we add on top after sealing.

HomeGuide lists blown-in exterior walls at $1,900 to $7,800 for a typical home, $1.10 to $3.70 per square foot. Fixr puts spray foam in existing walls at $3.15 to $7.50 per square foot.

It should not be buried in insulation. We recommend an electrician update it first.

Installed at proper density, cellulose resists settling. We fill each cavity tight.

Yes. We drill small holes through plaster or drywall and patch them ready for paint.

Closed cell runs $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot installed by HomeGuide's figures. A building's total depends on wall and roof area and thickness; we measure and quote in writing.

Yes, closed-cell foam sprayed on the steel stops the warm air from reaching the cold metal, which is what causes condensation.

The steel needs to be warm enough for foam to bond, so we may heat the building first or wait for a milder day.

It depends on the town and how the building is used. Check with your local building office.

HomeAdvisor lists $1 to $2 per square foot, with typical jobs around $600 to $1,200. Removal plus replacement averages about $1,852 in its data.

Usually because it was sprayed somewhere it should not be, such as over a roof deck that needs inspection, or because of a bad mix. It is cut and scraped out.

If it is full of droppings or nesting, yes. Removing it lets the attic be sealed and refilled cleanly.

Leave it alone and have it tested. An abatement contractor handles removal if it contains asbestos.