Do you find that there are a lot of draughts in your house? Are your energy bills higher than they have been? You might need insulation for your home. This is a way that you can solve these problems and live comfortably in your house again. We all know that having insulation installed by a professional is pricey. But, do it yourself spray foam insulation might be the answer.
If you believe you are handy around the house and want to fix your draught problem, we have the solution. Let’s take a closer look at what spray foam insulation is and how it can be done yourself using a spray foam insulation kit.
What is Spray Foam Insulation?
First of all, it is important to understand what exactly spray foam insulation is. Essentially, this is a product that is a combination of liquid chemicals. When it is sprayed onto a surface, it is going to expand into a foam. The purpose of this process is to create an insulating layer in a building.
A lot of people seek insulation when they want to get rid of draughts in their homes. In particular, if you have suspended timber floors, you can use insulation to stop the draughts you can feel. In addition, general draught proofing can be done with spray foam insulation, whether this is for the roof, walls or attic. The purpose is that it can retain warmth.
You will find two types of spray foam insulation available. This is going to be:
- Closed-cell spray foam
- Open-cell spray foam
Generally, closed spray foam is preferred to open cell. It can form a more solid construction and it is a better insulator. In addition, it is able to act as a barrier to moisture. On the other hand, if you are looking for insulation for sound-proofing your home, you may be better choosing open-cell spray foam.
What are the Advantages of Do It Yourself Spray Foam Insulation?
When it comes to insulating your home or another property, there are a lot of options to consider. So, you may be wondering, why choose do it yourself spray foam insulation? Well, there are many benefits. Let’s take a look at some of them.
You Save Money
If you have already looked into having a professional install insulation in your home, you will be aware of how expensive it is. This type of service can soon add up if you have a big space that needs to be insulated and the bill can be a lot more than you were expecting. It can simply not be within your budget. When you use a spray foam insulation kit, you can do the same job for half the price. All you have to do is read the instructions and have some practice first. Would you like to save even more money? You can read our article on do it yourself solar panels.
As a long-term solution, spray foam insulation can also help you save money on your energy bills. When air is able to enter and leave your home, this is will energy bills can rise, as heating and cooling systems have to work harder. But, insulation is going to help with this problem and you should see a reduction in the money you have to pay out.
There is Flexibility
The truth is, you are not a professional. Not all areas in your home are going to be easy to insulate. So, the good thing about do it yourself spray foam insulation is that there is flexibility. The foam expands and this means that it can reach difficult areas. You do not have to have a lot of skills to use this solution.
It Can Be Quick
Once you know what you are doing, spray foam insulation can be easy to install in your home. Since it is sprayed onto surfaces, you can cover a large area in less time. A lot of people do not want the hassle of having a professional in their home. So, do it yourself spray foam insulation is a way around this.
You Can Reinforce Structures
If your home is old, there are going to be structures of the property that have seen better days. Namely, there might be parts that are starting to break down. The good thing about spray foam insulation is that when it sets, it is going to be strong and rigid. So, it can actually be used to reinforce structures and repair them. For example, this product can be used to help roofs if nail fatigue is a problem, as well as to support cracks in cavity walls. You are able to do all of this without needing to hire a professional.
Gain Space
A lot of thick insulation has to be laid on the ground. But, if storage space is a problem in your home, this is not something you will want, particularly in the attic. What you will be pleased to hear about spray foam insulation is that it can actually be applied to the roof. This is going to mean you can still use the ground space for storage.
What Do I Need for Do It Yourself Spray Foam Insulation?
In order to do a good job with the insulation in your home, you need to be prepared. In other words, you need to have all of your equipment before you can start. Let’s take a look at everything you are going to need.
A Boiler Suit
It is important to remember that you have to be careful when you are installing insulation by yourself. Your safety should be the priority. In particular, a chemical reaction happens in order to create the foam insulation. But, this can mean creating noxious chemicals, which can be harmful.
Wearing the correct safety equipment is very important, this includes wearing a boiler suit. This is going to protect your skin during the process, as well as your clothes.
Gloves
Since you will be handling a spray gun and the noxious chemicals can be harmful when in contact with skin, you will have to wear gloves. There are a range of protective and flexible work gloves you can choose from that will not limit your movement but they will protect your hands.
Goggles
Do not forget that you want to protect your eyes. Certain chemicals can cause irritation to your eyes, as well as causing serious damage if there is an accident. To be on the safe side, make sure that you get goggles you can wear for installing foam insulation. This is going to give you peace of mind. Ensure that you grab a pair before beginning work in your home.
Respirator
Again, foam insulation can create noxious chemicals. You do not want to be breathing this in during the installation process. So, the way to avoid this happening is to wear a respirator mask. This is going to protect you from particles in the air when you are applying the foam spray with the application gun.
A Do It Yourself Spray Foam Insulation Kit
It is a lot easier to purchase a do it yourself foam insulation kit. This is going to contain all of the equipment you need. While it might be possible to purchase the items separately and save a little money, it is quick to simply purchase a kit. Often, they will contain:
- Hoses
- An application gun
- Foam insulation canister
How to Choose a Do It Yourself Spray Foam Insulation Kit
When you start shopping for a do it yourself spray foam insulation kit, you will soon discover there are a lot of options. In fact, it can be quite overwhelming when you are a beginner. So, we have prepared some tips that are going to help you choose the right kit for your needs.
Look for a Closed Cell Spray Foam Product
In your local stores and when shopping online, you are going to notice two types of spray foam insulation. You will have closed-cell spray foam and open-cell spray foam. The one you want to choose is closed-cell spray foam. This is often the better option since it will go rigid when it has set. This is going to help strengthen structures, as well as act as a better insulator. You can use less of the product to retain heat. Closed-cell spray foam is also going to be a barrier to moisture.
Know the R-Value
An important thing to know about before purchasing a product is the R-value of the spray foam. This is the thermal resistance and the higher the number, the better insulation you can look forward to. Typically, a closed-cell spray foam is going to offer an R-value of between 6.5 and 7 per inch. Just be prepared that you will have to pay more money for a higher R-value.
Check the Coverage
Almost every do it yourself spray foam insulation kit is going to tell you the coverage. This is the total area that the product is going to be able to cover. You can use this as an indicator for choosing the right kit, as well as selecting how many you are going to need for your space. Take a look at the recommended depth too when you are considering the coverage.
Choose the Right Hose Length
There can be a choice of hose length when it comes to a do it yourself spray foam insulation kit. You are going to find it easier to choose a longer length. This is going to offer you more freedom and you can work easily on roof lines and areas that are hard to reach.
Examine the Nozzle Sizes
There are also different nozzle sizes for the application gun. Some spray foam insulation kits will offer you more than one nozzle, which is good for use on different parts of your property. It will make application a lot easier, whether you are trying to cover a large area or trying to focus on specific nooks and crannies.
