What is spray foam insulation?
Spray foam insulation is a liquid foam that's sprayed into position and sets to form an insulating layer. It can be used to insulate your roof, loft, walls, floors and more.
There are two types of spray foam insulation to choose from:
Closed-cell spray foam
Open-cell spray foam.
Possible benefits of spray foam insulation are:
It can be applied in difficult-to-reach areas
In some cases, it can provide additional sound proofing
However, these benefits are limited when compared to the many possible drawbacks of installing spray foam insulation in your home.
Is spray foam insulation safe?
Unlike other types of insulation, spray foam insulation is formed on-site, which results in the release of potentially harmful fumes. According to the National Insulation Association, the spray area should not be re-entered for a period of time (usually 24 hours) after installation. An approved and trained installer will provide advice on all the health and safety considerations of the installation.
An approved installer will provide advice on the health and safety considerations of the installation.
Beware of cold callers offering to install or remove spray foam insulation. Scammers often target vulnerable homeowners, falsely claiming that their existing spray foam insulation is dangerous and must be removed. Similarly, disreputable installers may make an unsolicited attempt to mis-sell you an unnecessary spray foam installation.
Poorly installed spray foam insulation can cause structural safety problems. By blocking ventilation, spray foam can result in severe condensation in the roof space. This can lead to rot in the roof timbers, which can go undetected for many years.
Will spray foam insulation increase or decrease my home value?
Due to concerns over condensation, spray foam insulation can cause problems when you're buying or selling a property.