The cost and INSTALLATION of Spray foam
What Does Spray Foam Cost
Answer:
There are too many variables to give a Square footage price or general cost unless you know exactly what Poundage of foam you are pricing out.
However The Short answer: Spray foam Materials are more costly and much more effective that traditional insulation materials. On average Spray foam runs About 30% more at the very minimum of the cost of fiberglass and cellulose insulation Depending on the Weight of foam chosen. But, spray polyurethane foam is so effective it can not be compared to standard insulation materials such as provide a continuous Air barrier, Proven Energy Saver, The most powerful Insulator on the market, Moisture Barrier,Deters Mold Growth, indefinite lifespan, Does not shrink, Crack, Settle and is Eco Friendly. Keep in mind that the prices below are budgetary, and will vary job-to-job.
- Spray Foam Insulation Cost “Price” Per Board Foot.
- Open Cell Spray Foam $0.29 To $0.65 Per Board Foot
- Closed Cell Spray Foam $0.90 To $1 Per Board Foot
- Minimum Service Charge Per Job is $800.00
- Depending on Your Job and Situation.
- See Sample National average cost to spray foam projects here
Spray foam is sold by the board foot not square foot. ( 12 x 12 x 1 inch thick) Spray foam has so many weight options of Open cell and closed cell foam, Such as Envirofoam™ Low Density Foam, Medium Density Foam, High Density Foam, TRU-2 and greater weights. Learn about foam weight here
With all the different materials available we would need to know the exact foam poundage, depth, R-value desired and application.
The best way to get a price is to supply the plans or have a site visit and discuss with the installer what you are wanting or an idea of a budget so you can get the best possible application for the specific budget you have in mind.
If you are going to compare bids you will want to compare the exact material and depth of material and application areas. Walls, box sills, roof deck or attic ceiling. If not, you will receive bids that could be hundreds or even thousands of dollars apart. Making sure you are getting bids for the exact same material is key.
Nationally open-cell Spray foam Averages $0.29 to $0.65 per board foot and closed-cell Spray foams average $.90 to $1.50 per board foot for material cost only not including Labor, Prep ETC. These are National Averages and are not Envirofoam's Pricing. Envirofoam Pricing is Lower than the national Averages because we not only Install the foam We are also the Manufacture of the material.
Why are the prices so Different Between Spray Foam Companies
The Biggest reason for the Large Price Differences between installers is the weight of the foam they are using. Most Consumers do not know there are Dozens of different types of Spray foam Materials and weights. Most consumers think there is just Open cell and closed cell foam. This could not be further from the truth.
The weight of the foam dictates the density of the material.
Example: An open cell foam AKA 1/2 Pound foam weighs 1/2 LB per cubic foot and you can get approx 16,000 Board feet per set with an R-value of 3.85 per inch.
A set of 2 Lb 245 FA blown Closed cell foam would weigh 2 Pounds per cubic foot of material but only get approx 3,000 board feet per set at an R-value of 7 per inch.
Because there are so many different weights of foam you may have one company biding your project in a 2LB 245 fa blown material and another company bidding the same project in a 1.5Lb foam. Both companies are calling their foam " Closed Cell Foam" however the weight and R-Value of the material are not the same. The final cost difference between the bids could be thousands of dollars difference making you think that one company over the other is giving you a great deal. In reality you may be getting taken advantage of and you would never know .
What Questions Should I Ask My Installer and Why
Not all of these questions May pertain to your install. Some are for new construction homes and some are for pole barns and Garages. Below are links you can Print out to ask your installer.
1. What Material Manufacture are you using?
- Simple Answer: A reputable companies foam could mean the difference between a good install and a troublesome install.
2. What Poundage of foam are you using in the attic?
- Simple Answer: The Weight or Pound of the foam will dictate the cell structure and R-Value
3. What depth of material are you spraying in the attic?
- Simple Answer: The depth of the material combines with the weight will give you the final R-value
4. Are you spraying the roof deck and doing an envelope install Or the flat drywall ceiling?
- Simple Answer: A Roof deck install or "envelope" install will use more material meaning higher cost
5. What R-Value will I have when completed in the attic. Actually, Verifiable R-value not a comparative or functional R-value but a Verifiable R-Value the inspector can verify.
- Simple Answer: Some unscrupulous installers or sales people will tell you that the functional R-value or effective R-value is higher than what you can actually prove with paperwork to the home inspector therefore leaving you to pay additional cost for applying more foam to meet the inspectors R-value code.
6. What Poundage of foam are you using in the walls?
- Simple Answer: The Weight or Pound of the foam will dictate the cell structure and R-Value
7. Are you OK with us sending off samples of the foam for a density Check?
- Simple Answer: If you have an installer or salesperson not being honest about the material they area selling you. (example: telling you they area selling you closed cell foam and are selling you open cell foam at closed cell prices ) they will not want a density test done on the material. You most likely will not hear back from that company.
8. What depth of material are you spraying in the walls?
- Simple Answer: The combination of Weight or Pound of the foam along with the depth will dictate the Final R-Value
9. Do you Prep the Doors, windows, and floors and do you guarantee no over-spray to these areas?
- Simple Answer: Prep is one of the most important parts of the spray foam process. Spraying foam is like painting your car in your living room. If you do not cover everything the over-spray will adhere to everything and is very difficult or may never come off of the surface. Most of our contractors that have used other installers switch to us because of the extensive prep we do for each and every property. Companies that do not prep correctly can cause thousands if not 10's of thousands of dollars destroying windows, doors, woodwork, floors etc.
10. Does this include fire stopping per code?
- Simple Answer: In some areas fire-stopping is code and in others its not is should be. this is normally not a standard practice with some companies and this becomes a hidden fee at the end you get charged for.
11. Does this include installing low rise foam to windows and doors?
- Simple Answer: This is normally not a standard practice with some companies and this becomes a hidden fee at the end you get charged for.
12. Does your Quote include the garage and Box Sills ( sill Plates ) ?
- Simple Answer: This is normally not a standard practice with some companies and this becomes a hidden fee at the end you get charged for.
13. Do you have Work comp insurance and General Liability Insurance and can I get a Binder?
- Simple Answer: Spray foam insulation insurance is some of the highest in the industry along with tree removal and roofers. Most Spray foam Installation companies do not carry any insurance at all because of the cost. This is another reason normally for a low bid.
When E-Mailing us about your project feel free to ask us to forward you our answers to these Questions.
Click Here to view and print The New Construction Home Questionnaire you can ask your installer.