Spray foam insulation is an excellent option for new construction. This insulation can provide superior insulating qualities while also helping to minimize humidity and even pest intrusion. However, most people don't consider insulation installation as an upgrade to their existing home. Does it ever make sense to install spray foam in an older home, and when should you do so?
As with most renovation projects, it depends on your budget, your needs, and your long-term goals. While there are plenty of times when adding spray foam might make sense, here are three of the most common scenarios where you may want to consider this upgrade.
1. You're Upgrading Your HVAC System
Adding central air conditioning or forced-air heating to an older home can improve comfort and efficiency. Modern HVAC systems can make even an ancient house feel new and modern, but the poor insulation in many older homes can reduce heating and cooling efficiency. Even worse, you may have trouble achieving the comfort levels you're after due to drafts and heat loading.
Since retrofitting ductwork into an older home often requires at least some demolition, this is an excellent time to consider a spray foam upgrade. You'll save money installing the spray foam while making your new system heat and cool much more effectively. The older and less effective your existing insulation, the more you'll benefit from a new spray foam installation.
2. You're Replacing Attic Insulation
Since most homes use unfinished attics, it's often relatively easy to access and replace attic insulation. Unfortunately, you're not the only one who can easily access your attic. It's common for pests, especially birds and rodents, to reside in attics. These unwelcome guests leave behind waste that can damage fiberglass insulation or even allow dangerous pathogens into your home.
In most cases, it's a good idea to replace insulation following a substantial attic infestation, and that's the perfect opportunity to install spray foam. Spray foam is relatively easy to install in exposed portions of an attic. As a result, spray foam is a fairly cost-effective upgrade that can greatly improve your home's ability to retain heat in the winter and repel heat in the summer.
3. You're Performing a Major Renovation
Adding spray foam insulation to a basement, attic, crawl space, or another unfinished area is relatively straightforward. However, adding it to existing walls is more challenging. If the walls don't contain insulation, injecting the foam through a small hole is often possible. Unfortunately, the process can be more challenging if you need to remove old fiberglass insulation.
However, renovations that involve tearing down walls or conducting demolition are an excellent time to get rid of your old fiberglass rolls or batts. Since you're already performing fairly disruptive work on your home, there's very little downside to enjoying a major insulation upgrade along with the other benefits of your renovation project.
Contact a professional to learn more about spray foam insulation.