DIY Spray Foam Insulation: Really Worth It or Waste of Time?
Introduction
DIY spray foam kits and "wide spray" foam cans have been heavily promoted online as cheaper alternatives to "insulate" and air seal houses without the need to hire pro's, but is that really true? In this discussion with Ben Monsma we discuss the pro's and con's of these tools and materials and what you should consider before using them on your own.
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Ben has worked in the spray foam industry in the U.S. for over a decade, from sprayer to salesman, and now as a Territory Manager with Creative Polymer Solutions, a chemical manufacturer of spray foam.
Video Summary
1. The Differences Between DIY Spray Foam Kits and Professional Applications
There are several important differences between professional spray foam and DIY options, including how thick they can be applied, R-value, ability to air seal, and what is considered a vapor barrier. Material cost alone shouldn't be the only consideration.
2. Best Places to Use DIY Spray Foam
While you'll see these products promoted online as an alternative solution to paying an insulation contractor, they are not for large jobs and are really meant for air sealing hard to reach areas and insulating small surface areas in general. Sealing top plates to drywall in attics, rim joists between floors, or using them to patch over existing foamed areas that were too thin are good uses.
3. How DIY-Friendly Are They?
To get what you pay for with these DIY spray foam products, they have to be applied during warm ambient air temperatures and surface temperatures, they have to be mixed properly before spraying, and in order to stop spraying before the tanks or cans are empty, extra steps need to be taken so that you don't stop up the guns and waste the product.
4. Important Things to Consider
When deciding whether to hire a pro or do it yourself, there's several factors to consider, namely how much surface area you need to spray, what the intent of the application is (to insulate or just air seal), how much time you have to do the work and what that time is worth to you, and how much money it will cost to purchase the materials versus hiring a pro.
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