Spray Foam Insulation in Appleton, WI

Spray foam insulation is mixed at the gun and expands as it hits the surface, filling the cracks, gaps and odd shapes that batts and loose fill cannot seal. Because it sticks to wood, concrete and steel, it stops air movement as well as slowing heat. In a Fox Valley winter, that air sealing is often worth more than the R-value alone.

Two kinds of foam

Closed-cell foam is dense and hard once cured. HomeGuide lists it at R-5 to R-7 per inch. At typical thickness it acts as a vapor retarder, it does not hold water, and it adds stiffness to what it is sprayed on. We use it against concrete, on rim joists, in crawl spaces and on the steel of pole buildings. Open-cell foam is spongy and expands many times over. At R-3.5 to R-3.7 per inch it takes more thickness to reach the same R-value, but it costs less per square foot, fills irregular cavities and absorbs sound. It suits interior walls, roof lines with a moisture plan and spaces where vapor needs to pass.

When foam is the right call

Foam makes the most sense where space is tight or air leaks are concentrated: rim joists, cathedral ceilings with shallow rafters, kneewalls, floors over garages, walls in additions and new construction, and outbuildings. Across a wide open attic floor, sealing the leaks and blowing loose fill usually gives more R-value for the money, and we will tell you that.

Before we spray

We check for wiring that should be updated, wet framing, roof or plumbing leaks and anything that gets hot, like flues and recessed lights. Foam stays clear of heat sources, and exposed foam in living spaces usually needs a fire-rated covering. We note all of that on the quote.