Spray Foam FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

It is impossible for us to provide you with an accurate estimate for spray foam based on square footage alone. Commercial builds, new homes, old homes, basements, and crawl spaces etc. all have variables that need to be accounted for. Also, different types of foams have different costs associated with them.

Call us at 519-580-6678 and we will assess your particular requirements and provide you with a free estimate.

No, spray foam will not damage electrical wires. Our spray foam has been extensively tested by the Underwriters Laboratory of Canada (ULC) to confirm that, when installed to ULC standards, it will not harm CSA certified wiring and electrical components.

The improper installation of any building product can cause damage. That is why it is important to find a spray foam technician that is both certified and experienced. We are certified by CUFCA and have 25 years of experience providing spray foam installation for commercial, agricultural and residential projects. Call us at 519-580-6678 to ask for references.

Both medium density and low density foams will adhere to nearly any clean dry surface. There can be adherence issues with some very smooth plastics, but these can be overcome using a primer.

We will perform periodic ‘adhesion pull-off’ tests on the first and second passes of median density foam to ensure a successful installation.

No, you cannot. Because spray foam is such an excellent insulator, enclosed areas that are spray foamed can become over-heated in a fire and need to be covered with a 15-minute thermal barrier.  You will need to plan on covering the foam to be in compliance with the fire codes.

Although no fire code regulations require spray foam to be covered in agricultural buildings, many underwriters will not insure buildings leaving SPF (spray polyurethane foam) exposed.

There are two types of foams being installed into homes in Canada.

Medium density foam uses inert gases other than air to insulate with. These gases are trapped in the cells and held there. The insulation value of medium density foam is always rated using ‘Long Term Thermal Resistant’ (LTTR) values which measure its effectiveness over time. Medium density foam has an LTTR rating of R 6 per inch.

Low density foam uses steam to make the cells rise, and trap carbon dioxide in the cells. These foams do not have LTTR ratings and they range from R 3.1 – 3.8 per inch.

Polyurethane foam was first invented in the 1940s during WWII by the Bayer Corp. to strengthen aircraft wings. Buildings began to have foam sprayed into them as early as 1969.

In Canada, the National Building Code of Canada first recognized sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) as an insulation material in 1985. Each successive NBC code update (1990, 1995, 2005) has included further references to foam plastics.

Polyurethane foam has been used in consumer products for decades, on seat cushions, doors, mattresses, fridges, coolers etc.

Like many building materials, spray foam will burn, but it is not explosive. In Canada, all spray foam plastics need to pass the Can/ULC S102 corner wall test in order to be CCMC certified. This is a pass or fail test measuring flame spread index and smoke development. All the spray foam products we use are CCMC certified.

Because of its excellent insulating properties, spray foam should not be left exposed in enclosed areas. In case of a fire, enclosed areas with exposed spray foamed surfaces can heat up very quickly. If you plan to use spray foam insulation in your basement or other enclosed area, you will need to cover the spray foam surfaces with dry wall or other.

In Canada, no testing has been devised to compare the relative smoke toxicity of consumer products.

The smoke from all building materials (including oak flooring or the smoke from even one light switch cover plate)

The thickness of the spray foam for your project will depend on several factors: the type of foam being used, the surface that is being sprayed, and your insulation requirements. In general, low density foams need to be thicker while medium density foam will be thinner.

We will take the time to talk with you about your requirements, and we’ll provide you with complete specifications based on budget, building codes and your desired end results.

Insulating your attic area will not adversely affect your roof shingles. While attic temperature is one of the many factors that may affect the lifespan of shingles, a properly insulated attic stays within 2 to 4 degrees Celsius of the home’s thermostat setting. With a spray foam insulated attic, just as with a vented roof, the only heat damage to your shingles will be due to sunlight.

You can’t have a home that’s too tightly insulated. A properly balanced HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system will ensure the air exchange needed to create optimum air quality in your home. Most plumbing and heating companies use computer aided software to accurately determine the optimum heating and cooling load to achieve this equilibrium.

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