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How To Spray Foam Insulation On Roof

Where You Install The Spray Foam Insulation

Insulating a roof with Spray Foam

The specific area you need to insulate can dictate whether you need open or closed-cell foam, which we outlined as a central cost factor.

For instance, basement, rim joist, and other areas where water creates concern typically warrant the use of moisture-resistant closed-cell foam.

A qualified insulation contractor can advise which type of spray foam works best for the area you need to insulate, whether that be the attic, roof deck, HVAC system, or all of the above.

Spray Foam Insulation Is One Of The Easiest To Install And Best Insulation Solutions Available For Roofs And Attics

The Spray Foam Insulation Kits are available here. Theres no need to cut materials to size, you simply spray our foam from the kit into the areas between the joists. Once exposed to the air the foam will begin to harden. The spray foam insulation also seals any holes that might he there, preventing temperate loss through drafts.

Those considering this excellent solution to a common household problem should bear in mind that due to the fumes respirators should be used in enclosed spaces, such as attics. In addition to our respirators, and their replacement Organic Vapour Cartridges, Foam Kit Solutions offer their Tyvek Suit. This zippered protective garment has a hood built in and also covers footwear, ensuring your garments remain protected throughout the operation.

Are You Ready To Talk About Your Roof

The goal of this page is to give you a complete guide on everything spray foam roofing-related.

We just wanted to help you by giving you all the information available in one area, in hopes that you can use this to make the best possible decision for your building.

At West Roofing Systems, weve been installing spray foam roofs for over 40 years and have helped thousands of buildings stay leak-free, while providing the best possible insulation .

After installation, all you have to do is worry about the recoats every 10-15 years and youll have a roof that will maintain leak-free well past retirement.

In fact, the quote we always use is a spray foam roof will be the last roofing system you ever have to install.

Thank you for reading our extensive article! If youre interested in hearing from us, please click the button below and well be happy to answer any of your questions within 48 hours.

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How To Bid A Spray Foam Insulation Job

Bidding a spray foam insulation job can feel overwhelming. Its a balancing act between how much a customer is willing to pay and how much you need to charge them to make a living as a spray foam contractor.

It is tempting to deliver the lowest possible bid so that your customer will hire you for the job.

Resist this temptation!

Value your work, and ONLY take the jobs that will pay what you are worth.

When calculating a bid is weighing you down, go back to the basics.

Youre just doing math!

Stop thinking about what your customer might say, and look at the numbers.

How much will this job cost YOU?

You need to know the material costs before you can calculate an accurate bid for your customer.

How do you figure out what a job will cost?

You only need four things:

1) The board footage of the job

2) The cost of the spray foam insulation

3) The estimated yield of the spray foam insulation

4) The labor costs

Thats it! Lets get started.

Boulineaus Grocery Store: A Heavy Condensation Issue

Spray Foam Insulation For Attic Roof  Attic Ideas

Boulineaus Grocery store needed insulation between the first and second floor, however, standard insulation such as fiberglass or cellulose was useless due to the fact that water was constantly seeping through. When the hot South Carolina air came into the store from the outside, the un-insulated freezers created a constant and perpetual heavy dew, which constantly dripped. The corrugated steel substrate was littered with patches of calcification and rust.

Ugly aesthetics aside, the constant dripping created a hazard for shoppers who might fall and slip. This created some potential liability issues for the store as well . The owner of Boulineaus found Spray-seal Insulation through their local yellow pages. Mark Winslow, a veteran of polyurethane foam insulation was assigned to the job.

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How Much Does Spray Foam Insulation Cost

Installing spray foam insulation costs around $3.25 per 1 square foot of your house area, for Open Cell insulation, and around $6.30 for Closed Cell. This would include insulating exterior walls and attic space with R-Values that meet the building code.

PRO TIP: This calculator is designed to estimate insulating your whole house, and only with Spray Foam insulation. We have made an Attic Insulation calculator , which allows you to also get quotes for Blown-in, Roll / Batt fiberglass & mineral wool insulation, as well as SPF, and is made specifically for attics.

The two main types of spray foam insulation are Closed Cell which provides about 6.75-7 R-value per 1 inch of thickness & Open cell which provides about 3.5R-value per 1 inch.

The actual cost difference between these two types is about 50%. However R-Value is nearly double for Closed Cell vs Open Cell. Therefore, heat loss with a Closed Cell will be significantly lower!

Spray Foam insulation is the most energy efficient type of home insulating materials. It provides a leak-tight envelope, and reduces heat loss.

How Much Does A Re

The average recoat will cost about 1/3 to 1/2 of the original cost of installation in todays dollars.

The cost can vary depending on the distance from our locations and how much repair needs to be done before the re-coat. Performing preventative maintenance ensures your re-coat will be on the lower end of the re-coat price range.

*150,800

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Spray Foam Insulation & Silicone Roof System And Repair

The Last Roof Your Residential or Commercial Structure Will Ever Need.

Spray Applied Polyurethane Foam offers 2 big benefits to Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.

  • Spray foam insulation offers a superior seal to your roof. Seamless and fully adhered, Spray foam insulation seals all transitions and penetrations on a roof.
  • As an air barrier, spray foam insulation has the highest R-value of all insulation materials, lowering energy cost, ensuring faster payback of installation expense. Depending on the pounds per cubic foot and density of the foam determines the relative insulating values.
  • 2 Lbs. Density Interior/Exterior Air Barrier Spray Foam
    • 1-½â = R10
    • 2â = R8
    • 3â = R12

    Spraying foam in your attic is one of three ways to meet the new Hawaii building codes that require new construction to achieve energy efficiency by meeting two of these three requirements reflective roofing material, proper ventilation or insulation.

    Installing interior spray foam insulation is easier to do during the initial construction phase when the walls are open and exposed and the underside of the roof sheathing can be easily accessed. Retrofitting spray foam insulation to an existing structure can be messy and costly, as all the drywall needs to be removed from the walls that will be receiving the spray foam insulation.

    For a free spray foam insulation estimate, please call:

    How To Calculate Spray Foam Insulation Costs

    Insulating and Air Sealing a Metal Deck Roof with Spray Foam.

    Professionals calculate spray foam insulation quantities in board feet. Since you can apply foam in varying depths, a board foot is a measurement of volume that takes both the square footage of the to-be insulated area and the foam thickness into account.

    length * height * foam thickness = board feetsquare footage * foam thickness = board feet

    Most installers will refer to 1 board foot as a 1-foot by 1-foot area of 1-inch thick foam insulation. Technically, one board foot amounts to one-twelfth of a cubic foot.

    1 ft. * 1 ft.* 1 inch = 1 board foot1 square foot * 1 inch = 1 board foot100 square feet * 1 inch = 100 board feet

    What if you need thicker insulation because you live in a cold climate? Just increase the inches in your equation as desired.

    100 square feet * 2 inches = 200 board feet100 square feet * 3 inches = 300 board feet100 square feet * 4 inches = 400 board feet

    Once you know how much insulation you need, you can estimate costs by multiplying board feet by unit cost per board foot.

    Utilizing our estimated average costs $.25 to $3 per board foot 100 board feet of spray foam insulation costs between $25 and $300.

    Let’s say an insulation contractor charges $1 per board foot of insulation. You can therefore expect to pay $100 or 100 board feet, $200 for 200 board feet, and so on.

    The math will not look as clean for spray foam insulation not priced at $1 per board foot, but the cost calculation process remains just as simple!

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    Why Attic Ventilation Is Not Needed With Spray Foam Insulation

    The easiest way to understand why ventilation is not needed in a sealed attic is because the spray foam is applied on the ceiling of the attic instead of the floor. This insulates the attic from the outside weather while keeping the temperature inside the attic and the living areas in tandem. This negates any disadvantages of an otherwise unventilated attic.

    When cellulose and fiber are installed on the floor of the attic, instead of under the roof sheathing, it creates a pocket between the cold air coming in from the roof and the heat coming up from the house.

    The very term sealed attic implies that there are no openings to the outside and therefore no ventilation. Not only that, since the foam is applied on the underside of the roof sheathing, its nearly impossible to ventilate. Ridge cap, roof vents, and whirlybirds push air out of that pocket where warm and cool air from the roof and house meet. With spray foam creating a barrier from the roof, the plan is that the two different temperatures of air never meet and thus do not create condensation.

    The first concern would be that unvented attics get incredibly hot during the Summer, as even spaces with ventilation are scorching during the warmer months. The opposite is actually true, a properly sealed spray foam attic repels the warmth of the sun, while at the same time keeps more cooled air in the area. Unvented attics are actually the more comfortable of the two, in colder months as well.

    Chapter : How Is A Spray Foam Roof Repaired Or Maintained

    With a spray foam roof, you can simply do a recoat, and/or add sealant to the visible damage and youre good to go. The level of repair depends on frequency and depth.

    Here is a chart from the SPFA on mechanical damage and repair recommendations:

    A spray polyurethane foam roof is maintained by a:

    • Visual roof inspection
    • Cleaning of drain, strainers, and gutters
    • Cut out any defective areas, make sure they are clean and dry
    • Apply caulk/sealant to defective areas and smooth out
    • Provide a roof inspection report

    After 10 years of routine maintenance, your original 20-30 mils of silicone will probably be reduced to 7-9 mils.

    At this point, its time to restore your roof with a silicone coating to get you back to the original millage of material.

    Once thats done, its back to 10 more years of simple maintenance listed above in the bullet points.

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    What Is The Life Expectancy Of Spray Foam Insulation

    Spray foam insulation is a long-term solution. Youre looking at an expected lifespan from 10 years to 80 years. For a new home, these are good numbers if its a first-time installation. However, you need to check your homes history if it comes with insulation. Older homes will likely need a re-application or a touch-up in some sections.

    Most manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on their spray foam. Check with your installer whether the foam they use is under warranty. Also, ask for their policy on warranty if you have a problem with the installation.

    What Is Icynene Spray Foam

    Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation Under Metal Roof in ...

    Icynene spray foam insulation is filled with tiny open cells that are 95% air. As a result, it expands 100 times faster than typical two-pound open-cell spray foams and has better low-temperature characteristics. It also has unique thermal properties that allow it to maintain an open, breathable structure.

    Unlike typical water-blown closed-cell spray foams, Icynene foam insulation is a low-density spray foam insulation, which means it has a lower R-value. However, Icynene spray foam insulation still offers excellent thermal performance and air sealing properties.

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    Spray Foam Attic Insulation Vs Fiberglass

    Usually, most homeowners will tend to choose between spray foam insulation and fiberglass insulation when it comes to installing insulation in their attics. Almost 85% of all homes in the U.S. have fiberglass insulation. While its cheaper to install, its often less effective than spray foam, especially in extremely cold weather. Fiberglass insulation is also prone to air leakage, whereas spray foam insulation is generally airtight. Fiberglass also has a lower R-value than spray foam, at 2.2 per inch compared to 3.5 per inch for open cell spray foam or 6 to 7 per inch for closed cell spray foam.

    Hack To Identify Improper Spray Foam Installation

    Any spray foam insulation professional will tell you sometimes you miss a spot. If the missed spot is left unchecked, it will cause huge problems later. It will cost you extra or put you out of your house for a while. To avoid this, heres a neat trick.

    • Fog machines typically pressurize a space. Insulation, for contrast, depressurizes a room. Fog machines blow air inwards.
    • To create a pressure balance, some of the fog will be pushed outwards through any leaks. There needs to be a second person outside observing the fog. That way, the installer will know where to patch up.

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    Is Spray Foam Insulation Safe

    Yes, spray foam insulation is safe to use in your home! It is made from polyurethane, which is a material that has been used for many years in a variety of applications.

    If you are unsure about whether or not this product is right for you, be sure to consult a professional! They will be able to help you determine if spray foam insulation is the best option for your home and can provide you with an estimate for installation.

    Spray Foam Insulation Is Very Effective For Garages

    Spray Foam Roof Insulation

    Picking this type of insulation is highly advised for your garage. With its durable material, your garage insulation will be able to last for decades, unless they are exposed to extreme pressure that may damage or break the material. Also, it is best to hire a spray foam insulation contractor to do the job for you. A contractor will deploy insulation experts that are knowledgeable about the best ways to apply the product. Also, they use the best equipment available to do the job safely and accurately. You may contact Spray Foam Insulation at 880-1927 so that your garage can be evaluated as soon as possible.

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    Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofs Are Self

    Self-flashing refers to spray foams ability to conform to irregular shapes. Watch the video below which shows spray foam being sprayed around a curb:

    In the video, it says it might take a conventional roofer 30 minutes to flash around a curb, spray foam can be applied in about two minutes.

    Other roofing systems, like rubber, will need to be custom cut to be installed properly around a curb.

    Self-flashing allows spray foam to be applied faster around all penetrations, including:

    • Parapet walls

    Chapter : How Much Does A Spray Polyurethane Foam Roof Cost

    Our sales team is asked every day, How much does a Spray Polyurethane Foam roof cost? and its not easy to give just one answer.

    Many factors can affect the price of a commercial roof from the weather to the location to the material choices.

    Today well review the average price of an SPF roof and break down factors that could change your price. Keep in mind that when you are looking to invest in a new roofing system, its a good idea to get a couple of quotes from different contractors.

    For an average 20,000 sq. foot commercial roof, it will usually cost between $4.00 and $7.00 per square foot in materials and labor to install a typical SPF roofing system. This price range is for an SPF roof of average thickness and building structure.

    To get the best roofing system for the right price, you will need to consider these key factors:

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    Chapter : How Does A Spray Polyurethane Foam Roof Get Installed

    Before a spray foam roof installation can start, the existing roof needs to be prepared. Rather than stripping the existing roof, the contractor will most likely prepare the substrate by getting rid of all dirt, dust, and contaminants. This can be done with air pressure, vacuuming, or even just sweeping.

    The first layer put down by the contractor is the polyurethane foam. This foam is created by combining two liquids as its sprayed onto the existing roof substrate.

    As the liquid is sprayed onto the existing roof, it creates a foam that expands 20 times in size to form a solid, seamless foam surface. When the foam has expanded, this layer can be between 1 and 1.5 inches in thickness.

    Since the polyurethane foam adheres to most common surfaces, it can be installed on any roof slope.

    When the SPF layer has been completed, it is then coated with a layer of elastomeric silicone or acrylic coating with embedded granules. This layer is generally between 20 and 30 mils in thickness. The coating protects the roof and SPF from UV light, weather, normal wear and provides the required fire ratings.

    When the installation is complete, it will create a seamless, durable, moisture-resistant renewable foam roof covering.

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