Over time, insulation can get damaged by leaks, torn apart by pests, or simply misplaced during renovation projects. If your existing insulation needs to be replaced, or you are looking to upgrade the home's thermal performance, consider investing in spray foam insulation.
On average, spray foam insulation costs $5,500. Just keep in mind that prices can vary from $2,400 to $8,600 depending on several key cost factors, including types of spray foam, insulation thickness, and the size of the area.
Learn more about spray foam insulation costs.
Meet the Expert
Martin Orefice is the CEO and founder of Rent To Own Labs.
What Is Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray foam is a type of insulation that is typically made of a polyurethane mixture that expands when it comes in contact with the air. This expansion allows the spray foam to quickly fill small gaps and cracks, or simply expand over a broad area to insulate the space.
Since the spray foam is applied as a liquid, then rapidly expands, it creates airtight seals, eliminating drafts and insulating against the transfer of heat and sound. Typically, spray foam insulation is used on the exterior walls, roof rafters, crawl spaces, vent pipes, water spigots, gas pipes, and interior walls for sound-dampening purposes.
Spray Foam Insulation Cost Factors
Spray Foam Insulation Types
There are two main types of spray foam insulation, including closed-cell spray foam and open-cell spray foam. The cost of the spray foam insulation job can be affect by the type of spray foam, so it's a good idea to have a basic understanding of the difference between the two.
Closed-cell spray foam is dense, rigid substance that completely sealed each air cell, preventing airflow and moisture from seeping through the insulation. This type of insulation costs about $1.30 to $3.10 per board foot installed. Install closed-cell spray foam in high-moisture areas, like the attic, basem*nt, or crawl space for the best results.
Open-cell spray foam is the more affordable option at about $0.60 to $1.60 per board foot installed. However, open-cell spray foam doesn't act as a barrier for air or vapor, though it can still be used for soundproofing. Instead, use open-cell spray foam for any little nooks and crannies around the home and leave the high-moisture areas for closed-cell spray foam insulation.
Spray Foam Insulation Thickness
The thicker the spray foam, the better the insulating quality, but a thicker layer of spray foam can also lead to higher material costs for the project.
Closed-cell spray foam insulation has a higher R-value than open-cell spray foam insulation, so homeowners will need to use thicker layers of open-cell insulation to reach the same R-value. Before starting this job, check the recommended levels of insulation based on the local climate and where the insulation is needed.
In most cases, homes will require a maximum insulation thickness of 10 inches.
One Inch: $0.44 to $1.50 per square foot
Three Inches: $1.32 to $4.50 per square foot
See AlsoSpray Foam Insulation Mansfield, Ohio | Foam Insulation InstallersFind expert Insulation Contractors specializing in Spray foam insulation. Get top-rated services in with BuildX. Contact the best professionals today!Philadelphia Spray Foam Insulation | Home and CommercialBlown-In Insulation vs. Spray-In Foam InsulationFive Inches: $2.20 to $7.50 per square foot
Eight Inches: $3.52 to $12 per square foot
10 Inches: $4.40 to $15 per square foot
Size of the Area
On average, you can expect to pay between $1 to $5 per square foot for spray foam insulation, though the costs of this job vary widely depending on whether you use closed-cell or open-cell spray foam.
Go with closed-cell spray foam for water-prone areas of the house, like the basem*nt, crawl space, or attic, while open-cell spray foam is best for small nooks and crannies around the home.
100 Square Feet: $100 to $500
500 Square Feet: $500 to $2,500
1,000 Square Feet: $1,000 to $5,000
2,000 Square Feet: $2,000 to $10,000
3,000 Square Feet: $3,000 to $15,000
Labor
Some avid DIYers may attempt to install spray foam insulation on their own, but this is a project that is typically better for the pros to complete. Spray foam insulation costs $0.44 to $3.20 per square foot in labor costs, depending on the location of the home, the time of the year, and the differences in rates between competing companies.
"One of the tough parts is identifying effective ways to get insulation into finished walls without damaging the internal utilities or leaking out from unexpected places," says Martin Orefice, CEO and founder of Rent To Own Labs.
For this reason, hiring a professional is worth the investment to ensure the job is carried out properly, instead of attempting a DIY solution that falls through when you need it most.
Installation Location
The attic, basem*nt, and crawl space are common spray foam installation locations, though homeowners may also choose to insulate the garage, the roof, or parts of the HVAC system.
You may decide the best way to avoid future problems is to completely update the existing insulation with a whole-home spray foam insulation project. Just keep in mind that the larger the area and more difficult it is to access, the higher the cost of the job.
Attic: $2,500 to $12,000
Basem*nt: $2,400 to $8,000
Crawl Space: $1,000 to $5,900
Garage: $3,600 to $8,600
HVAC System: $2,500 to $3,000
Roof: $2,400 to $8,000
Whole-Home: $8,000 to $30,000
Additional Spray Foam Insulation Costs
New Construction vs. Existing Home
New constructions are the easiest to install insulation because the wall spaces are open and there is better access to the attic, crawl space, basem*nt, and other areas of the home. Installers can apply the spray foam insulation without worrying about removing drywall or ceiling panels.
However, this doesn't mean that spray foam insulation cannot be installed in existing homes, it will just cost a bit more to gain access to the target areas. Expect to pay about $293 to $875 if the installers need to remove drywall, take down ceiling panels, or otherwise modify the existing space to gain access to the target area.
Old Insulation Removal
Most DIYers will be able to handle the removal of old insulation on their own, reducing the time and labor cost of the project. However, if you're not able to remove the old insulation, then the installers will typically charge an additional $1 to $2.15 per square foot for the removal and disposal of the old insulation.
Vapor Barrier Installation
Adding a vapor barrier can help keep moisture out of the home and reduce the risk of water damage. However, installing a vapor barrier while adding new spray foam insulation will typically increase the total cost of the job. Plan to spend about $0.65 to $1 per square foot to have the professionals install a vapor barrier while completing a spray foam insulation project.
Spray Foam Insulation Cost: DIY Vs. Professional
You can get DIY kits that will allow you to apply the spray foam insulation without professional help, reducing the overall cost of the project by about $0.44 to $3.20 per square foot. For DIYers that are confident in their abilities, this can be a good option for insulated smaller spaces.
However, for an insulation installation to be a success, the installers need to ensure that the spray foam is applied in the right location and that it expands out to fill the target cracks or gaps. If the insulation is not applied properly, then there may be holes, pockets, or gaps left in the insulation. Similarly, if too much is applied at one time, the insulation can sag or swell out from the walls.
In most cases, it's best to hire a trained professional for spray foam insulation installation.
"The biggest benefit of hiring a professional for this work is that they'll have effective PPE to deal with spray foam," Orefice says. "It's not the most hazardous stuff, but there are some fumes that can become problematic in poorly ventilated spaces."
Additionally, some product manufacturers may not honor a product warranty if the installation is not completed by a licensed professionals.
Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation has a number of benefits that make it an attractive option for home insulation, including a high R-value, long life, and mold-resistant composition. Installing spray foam insulation can help to lower utility costs by insulating the gaps around drafty windows and doors. This also has the effect of preventing rain and meltwater from entering the home.
Homeowners can rely on spray foam insulation to have a high insulating value. In fact, closed-cell spray foam has an R-value of 7 per inch, while open-cell spray foam has an R-value of 3.5 per inch. To put that in perspective, rockwool only has an R-value of 3.3 per inch, while fiberglass is just 3.8 per inch.
Spray foam insulation can also be used as a soundproofing material and can add to the reinforcement of the wall, reducing the chance that the structure will shift out of alignment.
Best Time of Year for Low Spray Foam Insulation Prices
Spray foam can be installed in the attic, walls, around the windows and doors, or even in the basem*nt or crawl space. Most people tend to have this type of work completed in the spring or fall when the temperatures are relatively mild and optimal for effective and durable installation.
However, depending on where the spray foam will be applied, this type of work can be completed at just about any time throughout the year. Planning a spray foam insulation project for the offseason, such as early winter, may lead to a reduced rate as the demand for spray foam installation drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to spray foam 1000 square feet?
On average, homeowners can expect to pay about $1,000 to $5,000 to install spray foam insulation for a 1,000 square foot space.
Is spray foam insulation worth the money?
Spray foam is typically more expensive than fiberglass insulation, but the extra cost is worth it thanks to the superior air sealing capabilities, high R-values, and long life span.
Is there a downside to spray foam insulation?
There are a wide number of benefits to use spray foam insulation, but there are also drawbacks, including a high upfront cost, long installation time, and high installation difficulty. The spray foam insulation may also give of VOCs and should not be installed around electrical connections or light boxes, as this can create a fire hazard.
Read the original article on The Spruce.
