Spray Foam Insulation in Mansfield, OH

Spray foam insulation does two jobs at once: it fills the space with insulation and it seals the cracks that let warm air escape. That matters in Mansfield, where an average January runs near 26F and close to 50 inches of snow falls in a typical winter. Fiberglass batts slow heat but let air move straight through them; foam stops that air at the source. The trick is using it in the places where it pays for itself and not where a cheaper material would do the same job.

Closed-cell foam

Closed-cell foam cures into a dense, rigid layer rated by HomeGuide at about R-5 to R-7 per inch. At normal thickness it acts as a vapor retarder and shrugs off water, which is why it is our usual choice for rim joists, basement and crawl space walls, pole barns and roof decks. It also adds stiffness to the surface it is sprayed on.

Open-cell foam

Open-cell foam is softer and lighter, about R-3.5 to R-3.7 per inch. It expands more, fills odd cavities well and deadens sound, so it suits interior walls, ceilings between floors and some rooflines. Because vapor passes through it, it needs a moisture plan in a cold climate and does not belong against damp masonry.

Where foam pays in a Mansfield house

The rim joist, the band of framing resting on the foundation, is the top candidate in nearly every older home here; it is often bare wood with daylight-sized gaps. Basement walls are next if you plan to finish the space. Rooms over garages, cathedral ceilings with no attic above them and walls opened during a remodel round out the list. On a big open attic floor, we usually seal with foam and then blow in loose fill, which reaches R-49 or R-60 for less money.

Safety and curing

Spray foam is mixed on site from two chemicals, so the house has to be vacated and the work area ventilated. HomeGuide advises staying out for at least 24 hours. We cover floors and belongings, seal off the work zone and tell you when the house is ready.