Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q. Is polyurethane spray foam insulation code approved?

     A.  Yes. Building codes provide for the use of spray polyurethane insulation in the Foam Plastic section. This section of the code also describes the use of thermal barriers.

2. Q. At what point in the construction should  polyurethane spray foam insulation be applied?

     A.  Normally polyurethane spray foam insulation is installed at the same point in the construction cycle as other types of insulation. That is, it should be installed after the rough plumbing, electrical wiring, and heating and air conditioning ducts have been installed. If you decide to seal the entire exterior shell with spray polyurethane, spray insulation may need to be applied in some areas before the ductwork is installed.

3. Q. Can a building owner apply polyurethane spray foam insulation?

      A.  Not practically. polyurethane spray foam insulation application requires complex equipment and a skilled installer with training in the safe and proper installation of the polyurethane system.

4. Q. I am a homeowner and i am very much a do it yourselfer and was wondering if there is anyway that i can do my own spray foam insulation myself and rent the equipment. My crawlspace and attic are extremely hot and I need to keep the heat out.

     A.  Great question as we hear this a lot. Unfortunately , polyurethane spray  foam insulation equipment is not for rent. Installation of polyurethane spray  foam insulation needs to be done by a well-trained installer. It's not as easy as it looks. There are some small kits on the market, but they are made for very small projects like sealing joints and cracks.

5. Q. I have purchased a doublewide  and would like to know if spray  foam insulation is a good product to spray on the underside of the doublewide? Will it insulate the home better and pipes, or should this not be used?

    A.  Insulating the underside of a trailer with polyurethane spray foam insulation is much like insulating the underside of a home in the crawlspace. It is a good idea and should help with the energy bills especially if there is no insulation there presently. Work with the foam contractor to select the right product for your climate. Make sure you follow all applicable building codes.

6. Q. Won't sealing my building with polyurethane spray foam insulation lead to indoor air quality problems?

     A.  Your building does need to be ventilated in order to maximize indoor air quality (moisture levels and contaminant levels). Most design professionals will advise you to seal the structure as tight as possible and provide the necessary ventilation through the heating and air conditioning system. Many systems employ a highly energy efficient "air exchanger" which is designed to pre-condition (either warm or cool) the incoming outside air with the outgoing exhaust air. In this manner, you can build an extremely energy efficient exterior shell using high performance spray polyurethane foam while still providing controlled and energy efficient ventilation.