A Spray Foam Insulation Kit Offers Affordable And Smart Home Protection
A spray foam insulation kit offers affordable home protection. If you’re serious about reducing your winter utility bills, spray foam is the key. Furthermore, you shouldn’t hire a professional to do a job that you could do yourself.
DIY spray foam insulation kits are easy to use. They can fill hard to reach crawl spaces. We’ll not only show you how to use the DIY kits, but we’ll also explain how the kits are useful.
According to the International Society of Indoor Air Quality, “The desire to build more energy efficient homes in the US has lead to the expansion of the residential spray polyurethane spray foam (SPF) insulation industry. Annually, over 100,000 homes in the US are constructed or retrofit using SPF insulation.”
Without insulation, your home is vulnerable to cold weather conditions. To safeguard against outdoor elements, you’ll need to invest in spray foam insulation.
Quick Picks: Best Spray Foam Insulation Kit
1. FROTH-PAK 620 Sealant – 2 Component Foam Insulation Kit
2. Foam It Green 602 Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation Kit
3. Dow Froth Pak 650, Spray Foam Insulation Kit
Polyurethane spray foam insulation kits are a great choice because they can insulate all sorts of spaces from wall cavities to floors. They’ll also come with everything you need to insulate an area – whether open cell or closed cell.
Spray foam insulation kits come with spray nozzles, a gun dispenser, and a hose. With some kits, safety gear is included.
Main Features Of Spray Foam Kits
Here are the main features to look for when choosing a polyurethane spray foam kit.
R-Value
The first thing to consider is the R-value. The higher the R of the spray foam, the better the insulating power. If the winters in your area are particularly cold or summers are warmer than usual, you’d want to opt for a higher R-value.
Fire Resistant
For your next insulation project, make sure your polyurethane spray foam is fire-resistant. Fires happen, so make sure your kit has a high fire rating. The next thing to think about is density. The higher the density, the better the insulation power, and the more soundproof and protected your home will be.
Installation
When purchasing your kit, you’d also want to consider if you’ll be installing the kit on your own or getting a professional to help. Some kits require professional assistance, while you can install others yourself; you should read the recommendations before your purchase. Ideally, it should also come with safety equipment such as goggles and gloves.
Color
Then, you’d also want to think about the color. Spray foam insulation does come in multiple colors from brown to white, so that’s something you’d need to consider for the interior of your home. The type of spray foam you purchase is also important as each one of them comes with a different density – depending on the purpose of your insulation, and the room you’d like to insulate.
Density
As a brief overview, there are three types of insulation – high-density spray foam, medium-density spray foam, and low-density spray foam.
- High-density spray foams are thick, moist-proof, fire-retardant, and great for all sorts of environments.
- Medium-density spray foams, on the other hand, are relatively good as well and ideal for insulating and dampening noise.
- Low-density spray foams are lightweight and generally don’t offer the same kind of insulation as the other types of foam. It’s mostly used for rooms that don’t rapidly lose warmth or aren’t connected to what’s happening outside.
Open Cell Vs Closed Cell
The last thing to consider is open-cell versus closed-cell insulation. Open-cell spray foam is ideal for interiors and is cheaper than closed-cell foam. It also helps with dampening sound and can be installed at a low cost. Overall, however, they’re more suited for interior walls as they’re not great for sustaining the house.
Flood Resistant Material
On the other hand, closed-cell spray foam is a flood-resistant material that’ll offer reliable protection for your home; it can also work in very low temperatures and helps to add strength to the wall. Closed-cell spray foam is also moisture-resistant, has a high bond strength, and lasts long.
They’re great for adding strength to your home’s overall construction and are usually used for exterior walls and roofs.
Top 5 Polyurethane Spray Foam Insulation Kits
Handpicked by our team of DIY home experts, here are the best spray foam kits on the market today.
KrakenBond Insulation
Fastcoat Polyurethane Spray Foam is paintable and has excellent adhesion on most building materials. There are two nozzles to apply. Nozzle A is used for a vertical application that provides wedged spray, and a nozzle named B is for ceiling applications
A chemical vapor suit and protective eyewear are necessary. Customers have also mentioned that the spray foam sticks to everything, so you should use disposable clothing.
Pros
- Quick cure
- Fast-action
- Dries quickly
Cons
- Faulty valves
Great Stuff Insulation Kit
This closed-cell spray foam insulation kit can seal and insulate your home in one easy step. It provides a seamless air barrier and will provide approximately 602 square feet of foam. It’s fire retardant and made of an antimicrobial formula, and comes with everything you need to complete your insulation project.
When applying the spray foam, wear protective gear. Eye goggles, respirator, full suit with hood, hat, shoe covers, and extra gloves. Prepare your walls a few days before spraying. Shake canisters for 60 seconds before spraying. You’ll also want to have drop cloths because the foam dribbles out of the nozzle.
Pros
- Long lasting
- Dries fast
Cons
- Overpriced
Dow Froth Pak 650
This spray foam insulation kit will help fill any cavities and cracks, along with expansion joints for insulation and air sealing. It helps stop energy loss and can insulate stud wall cavities up to two inches thick.
The spray kit comes with up to 650 feet of foam and comes with a gun dispenser and hose assembly, wrench, petroleum jelly packet, and operation instruction manual. This easy to use kit might require additional nozzles, so be prepared. You’ll need a respirator mask, eye goggles, and a full suit as spraying can get a bit messy and air leakage could happen.
Pros
- Quick cure
- Extra fan nozzles included
Cons
- Insulation doesn’t expand
Touch And Seal Spray Foam
Airseals and saves energy, Closed cell structure, Class A fire-rated, Does not shrink or settle, High R-value 6.6. It’s compatible with all fiber insulation systems including cellulose, fiberglass, and stone wool
The kit increases structural strength and reduces sound transmission. Those who have purchased it like how it even comes with a tip sheet of mistakes that other users have experienced before so you don’t make the same one. Another great thing about this spray foam insulation kit is that the spray will start turning yellow or blue when one of the parts is depleted.
Pros
- Dries fast
- Works with most fiber insulation systems
Cons
- Weak nozzles
AWF PRO Gaps And Cracks Kit
Last on the list is this spray foam insulation kit that’ll help fill the gaps and crackdown on energy loss. It’s fire retardant and forms an airtight and water-resistant seal and will adhere to a range of materials from wood to glass.
Using the kit is easy, you’ll need to take the top off the can, screw the can onto the gun, and open the gun’s valve. With the kit, you’ll get two cans, one foam dispenser gun, two plastic nozzles, two plastic straws, one cleaner can, and a pair of nitrile gloves.
Those who have purchased this kit are very happy with their purchase and mentioned that you can control how fast the foam comes out – extra handy when you’re working on small cracks. They also love how it comes with a cleaner product and how everything screws right on the gun.
Pros
- Durable
- Nitrile gloves included
Cons
- Foam gun doesn’t last long
Benefits Of A Spray Foam Insulation Kit
Let’s look at how spray foam insulation kits can help your home.
Prevents Energy Loss
The kits reduce energy loss by 50 percent. They also work better than standard insulation because it’s flexible and prevent air from leaking through. While installation may cost more, you’ll save money on the long-term benefits. Spray foam insulation helps seal up cracks and holes, so your utility systems won’t have to work so hard to compensate for lost air.
Deters Moisture
It also helps with deterring moisture. Water can easily seep through openings around pipes and vents – putting your home at risk for unwanted bacteria and rot. Your home could be looking at some costly damage. By spray foaming your home, it’ll seal the tiniest crooks and crannies, so there are minimal chances of water seeping into your home.
Hermetically Sealed Space
If you’re not a fan of drafts, a spray foam insulation kit will help solve that. Spray foam insulation helps to create an airtight seal that’ll protect your home from the elements. It’ll prevent any temperature fluctuations in the building and will instead provide a consistently comfortable temperature. Unlike other insulations, spray foam also sticks to the surface, so you won’t have to worry about a hole that you may have missed.
Related: Our Top Picks For The Best Window Insulation Kits – Warm and Sealed
Reduces Allergens
Another great benefit of spray foam is that it helps minimize indoor allergens such as dust and pollen from entering your home. If you’ve got allergies, it’s especially helpful as there’s no way it’ll be able to come in through the walls. It’ll also prevent pests and rodents from coming into the home and is a non-toxic option that won’t release harmful contaminants into your space.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Is Spray Foam Insulation A Carcinogen?
Spray foam containing formaldehyde can produce airborne MDI. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said MDI is hazardous. The chemicals are known to cause cancer and impact indoor air quality.
Is Spray Foam Insulation Toxic After It Dries?
Once spray foam has dried and cured the insulation is not a health hazard.
Why Do Lenders Not Like Spray Foam Insulation?
Applying foam sealant to your roof spaces can impede indoor air flow and trap it in your home’s roof and timbers. When this happens, condensation will occur and lead to wood rot.
What Is A Good Alternative For Spray Foam Insulation?
Multifoils are made with recycled materials, unlike spray foam which may contain hazardous chemicals. Plus, when you install multifoils you don’t need to wear protective equipment.
How Many Climate Zones Does California Have?
There are five climate zones in California: 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Each US state is home to different climate zones. Climate zones determine the minimum requirements for spray foam insulation.
Spray Foam Insulation Kit Conclusion
When cooler temperatures arrive, your home should be prepared. If you don’t know how much insulation you need, figure out which type of climate you live in. It’s best to start with the attic and go from there.
Unlike fiberglass insulation, open cell foam is easier to apply. A DIY insulation project doesn’t have to be complicated. Remember, spray foam insulation isn’t rocket science. If a 12-year-old can do it, then you shouldn’t have any problems. And if you have a 12-year-old son, you can make him do it but just be sure to keep an eye on his progress.