Spray Foam Insulation

[1972K20]

Has anyone done spray foam yourself? I see where people have done this.

I just got a quote from a company that does this and it is really expensive.

[mongocanfly]

I've heard you can rent the equipment to diy but havnt checked into it..but to have it done..yes ...its expensive...but the benefits far outweigh the expense..they say you get several more years life from your hvac and within 6-8 years youve saved more on energy costs than what it costs over reg insulation..I'm building now and this will be done to my house and am thinking I may do my shop as well....I would like to see cost differences from diy and having it done...I've been in several houses with the foam and it makes a big difference...here in Al we need all the help we can get

[61_FL_Apache]

What are you using this for?

[1972K20]

Thanks for the feedback...I'm looking to do the attic.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

What are you using this for?

It's house wall insulation. I've been wanting to get a quote on doing under my main floor. It's a kind of nasty job being it's a hand dug cellar where you can't stand upright. It's just a 24' x 16' area. If it's crazy high I hope doing it myself is a good bit less.

[61_FL_Apache]

Something my neighbor did was use cellulose that was blown in. You can rent the machine from hardware stores. It was a two machine job. One feeding the machine and the other blowing it around. He said it made a big difference in his cooling bill.

[67swb72klb]

The gas from the spray foam must be real bad they are usually all suited up and using a fresh air respirator system.

[Bigdav160]

It's two part urethane, you wouldn't want any of the aerosol in your lungs

Like anything there are trade-offs and perhaps hidden cost. Do you have natural gas? You'll need some way to exchange air. You'll need high efficiency appliances with a vent to bring in combustion air.

If your roof is in the sun you might opt for a radiant barrier instead.

[Indian113]

I can only imagine what a Pain it would be if you sprayed it around water and sewer pipes then developed a Leak!

[supercheyenne]

Originally Posted by 1972K20

Has anyone done spray foam yourself? I see where people have done this.

I just got a quote from a company that does this and it is really expensive.

I'd pay the professional to do it. And make sure they're experienced and insured for more that your house is worth.

I'm not trying to spook you but there are horror stories on the internet where the foam didn't cure correctly and people had to do a complete rebuild on walls and roofs.

Search "spray foam nightmare".

If I had the money, I'd have it done to my house. Good luck with the project.

[rusty76]

I've seen it sprayed in many new houses. Cost must be really the biggest drawback. I haven't heard anybody complain. I just wonder about long term. Down the road if you need to fish a wire, add a supply duct and so on. Years ago we did a very big house (HVAC) and the upstairs was huge don't remember the exact footage but to me the upstairs needed at least a three and a half to a four ton unit. The engineer spec'd a two ton unit. We did exactly what the engineer and architect spec'd out. The spray foam was going to be the difference. It wasn't. I've also seen mold grow on spray foam. I've been up in attics during the summer with spray foam and there is some difference. There is also two different kinds of spray foam. Check to see which is better. Also if you have a gas finance in the attic you may have to spray a fire retardant on the foam. Consider that cost as well. Hope all this helps.

[1972K20]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Have any of you heard of this do-it-yourself product?

https://sprayfoamkit.com/videos-a-ho...foam-it-green/