Last Updated on July 3, 2024 by Spray Foam Insulation Plus
Spray foam insulation is one of the most popular building materials for residential and commercial projects. It provides a thermal barrier that prevents heat from escaping or entering your home, which makes it a great choice for retrofitting existing walls. If you’re interested in finding a Spray Foam Insulation Contractor Blaine MN, then reach out to Spray Foam Insulation Plus today for help! Spray foam insulation can help reduce energy costs and improve energy efficiency in your home. It’s also easy to install yourself if you follow these steps:
Insulation is a key building material for your home.
Insulation is a key building material for your home. It helps keep your house warm in winter and cool in summer, which saves you money on energy bills and improves comfort. If you have an old house with no insulation, you can add insulation to existing walls. You can also add insulation under the floor or into the attic space.
For example, if you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, adding additional insulation can help make it more energy-efficient than it would otherwise be.
What is spray foam insulation?
Spray foam insulation is a type of insulation that expands when it comes into contact with water. It is sprayed into the wall cavity, where it expands to fill the entire space and forms a foam that is highly insulating and airtight. Spray foam is also used on top of roofing materials such as asphalt shingles or metal roofing, in which case it provides an additional layer of protection against moisture infiltration behind your roof covering.
Spray foam insulation usually comes in two types: open cell (rigid) or closed cell (soft). Open-cell spray foams are typically less expensive than closed-cell options but they have lower R values (insulation capacity) and will eventually dry out over time if exposed to high heat sources such as sunlight or fires. Closed-cell spray foams have higher R values but are more expensive because they require special equipment for installation
Why choose spray foam insulation?
Spray foam insulation is an ideal method for insulating existing walls where the installation of traditional wall insulation is not possible or not cost-effective.
Insulating existing walls with spray foam can be a cost-effective alternative to other methods, such as adding extra layers of drywall.
With DIY kits that are often available online, spray foam can be installed by homeowners in just a few hours, saving you time and money on your next home improvement project.
When should you add insulation to existing walls?
Before you decide to insulate your existing walls, you should ask yourself a few questions. First, does your home have insulation? If it was built before 1978, the answer is likely no. Most older homes did not have any form of insulation in their walls or ceilings. If you live in a cold climate and want to reduce heating costs or make your home more comfortable, insulation may be an option for you.
If your drafty house has been driving you crazy since day one, go ahead and insulate! You may find that it is cheaper to add spray foam insulation than hire an expensive HVAC contractor to replace all the windows with triple-paned ones (though both will likely save money on utility bills).
Step 1: Decide if retrofit spray foam insulation is right for you.
You’ll need to consider several factors before deciding whether retrofit spray foam insulation is right for you.
- The size of the wall cavity: Spray foam insulation can fill small gaps, but if the space between your walls is more than 3 inches in diameter, you’ll likely want to use another material.
- The age of your home: If your house was built after 2006 and has insulation in its walls already, it may be worth leaving well enough alone. If it was built before 2006 or hasn’t been insulated yet at all, then spray foam might just be what the doctor ordered. (Note that while older homes may not have had insulation installed during construction in all rooms, they often have some form of thermal barrier like fiberglass batts.)
Whether or not these barriers stay intact over time depends on how well they were installed—and unfortunately, this can’t always be guaranteed by looking at them from outside the house unless there are visible signs of damage, such as mold growth or exposed studs/joists/rafters etc.)
For example, if there’s no attic access point(s) or another way for air circulation within an insulated basement ceiling (elevated above ground level), those areas will tend to stay warmer than other parts that aren’t enclosed above grade; thus requiring additional measures such as ventilation fans placed within them which provide counter-flow ventilation through their ductwork systems.
You can also contact a local spray foam insulation contractor in Blaine for more information on whether this is the right choice for you, we can also help with the installation process.
Step 2: Set up your workspace. Spray Foam Insulation Contractor Blaine MN
- Set up your workspace.
- Make sure you have enough space to work. Ideally, this is a room that is not used often and can be closed off from foot traffic. The area should be well-lit and have good ventilation since the spray foam will release strong fumes during the application process. You’ll also need to bring in tools and equipment like extension cords and ladders or scaffolding.
Step 3: Prepare the wall.
Preparing the wall for spray foam insulation is a step that can’t be skipped. You’ll want to remove any obstructions from the wall (like electrical outlets and switches) and use a stud finder to locate the studs. Make sure you have a clean workspace with no clutter or tools on it—these can get in the way of spraying insulation and make cleanup after messy jobs more difficult. Covering your floor with plastic is also recommended, as this will protect it from getting covered in spray foam adhesive; simply tape down the plastic when you’re ready to start applying it to your walls!
Next, it’s time to apply some adhesive! You’ll want to use a paintbrush or similar tool here; using too much adhesive could result in drips on your newly sprayed walls, which isn’t what we want!
Step 4: Set the temperature.
To ensure the proper application of foam, it is important to maintain a temperature between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the room where you are applying the foam. The temperature should be consistent throughout the room and throughout each wall. If you are using a heat gun, make sure you have enough distance between the gun and wall to avoid burning it.
Step 5: Start with a small hole in the wall.
Now that you’ve determined where the holes will be, it’s time to make them. First, make a small hole in the wall so that you can fill it in easily with foam. Then, if necessary, use your utility knife or a hole saw to make larger holes.
Step 6: Spray the polyurethane foam insulation into the wall cavity and fill it completely.
Spray the polyurethane foam insulation into the wall cavity and fill it completely. It’s easiest to use a long spray gun. Make sure you spray all corners and cracks and fill in any holes or gaps that were left over when you removed your old materials.
Step 7: Clean up and patch any holes or cracks made during installation.
- Remove any residual foam.
- Fill any holes with caulk or spackle.
- Patch any cracks with caulk or spackle.
- Clean up drips and residue as needed.
For best results, allow the foam to cure for 24 hours before covering it with drywall.
Retrofitting walls with insulation can help improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs and make your home more comfortable year-round
The insulation can also help you save money on your energy bills, reduce the amount of heat that escapes through the walls of your home and increase your comfort level.
Insulation can help keep moisture out, protect against insects and rodents and reduce noise from outside.
It’s important to consider whether you have enough insulation before installing more. If not, small holes or gaps between wall studs where no insulation is present could cause problems with moisture buildup.
Conclusion
Spray foam insulation is an excellent choice for retrofitting existing walls. It’s relatively easy to install and is more affordable than other options, such as adding new drywall or replacing old windows with new ones. Not only will you save money on your energy bills, but also you can help reduce your carbon footprint by using less energy at home! At Spray Foam Insulation Plus, we’d be happy to offer you the benefits that a Spray Foam Insulation contractor in Blaine, Minnesota, has to offer, such as Waterproofing, Attic Insulation, Energy Insulation Rebates, and more! Contact us today for more information on just what Spray Foam Insulation Plus can do for you and your family.
