It’s time for the great debate involving—you guessed it—spray foam insulation. Is it good? Does it suck? What’s it about? Let’s discuss it!

Spray foam insulation is being used by many contractors to seal cracks and gaps and insulate your building, but is it the best option? First, we’ll talk about the advantages, and then we will talk about the disadvantages of using spray foam insulation.

Pros of foam insulation

If you’re trying to decide whether or not spray foam is the best option for insulation, it’s important to think about the pros and cons. Spray foam insulation has many benefits, including:

• Great thermal qualities
• Lower ongoing energy costs
• Helps improve air quality of your home
• Can last for up to 80 years
• Seals cracks, gaps, and joints while keeping out moisture

Spray foam insulation is becoming a popular product among some contractors.

Cons of foam insulation

We at Land think that foam insulation should be used on an as-needed basis. Although it does have some great benefits, it doesn’t mean that it is what works best. A few disadvantages of foam insulation include:

• High up-front costs
• Not a DIY product
• Comparatively long, messy installation process
• Depending on the type of foam, it can actually absorb water
• Known and suspected health risks
• Can make leaks difficult to find and get to

Because of our experience with foam insulation, we don’t typically recommend it to homeowners when it comes to full insulation, although using it as a crack and joint sealant is okay. Leaks can be very damaging, and if there is foam insulation in the way, we have to cut into it. We don’t want to have to do that to your insulation! 

Spray foam can be a great option that works well, although there are cons that should not be ignored. Before deciding what’s best for your home and its lifespan, definitely go through the pros and cons list first, including your budget, needs, and application. Need help deciding? Feel free to reach out to us for a free inspection and to discuss your needs!