Home / FAQs
Questions we get asked every week
If yours is not here, call and ask. We would rather spend ten minutes on the phone than have you guess.
Cost and value
What does spray foam cost in Houston?
It is priced by board foot, which is one square foot at one inch thick. Open cell runs less than closed cell for the same coverage. A typical single family attic runs into the low thousands, and a container or a small shop is usually less. We will not quote a real number without seeing the space, because access and removal change it more than anything else.
How much will my electric bill drop?
Owners commonly tell us 20 to 35 percent off summer cooling after an attic job. We will not promise a percentage, because your windows, your system and your thermostat habits matter as much as the insulation. What we will promise is a big drop in attic temperature and a system that runs shorter cycles.
Is foam worth it compared to blown fiberglass?
It costs more up front. It also air seals, which fiberglass cannot do, and in a humid climate the air sealing is where most of the comfort comes from. If your budget only reaches fiberglass, adding depth to a clean dry attic is still better than doing nothing.
Do you offer financing?
We take card, check and bank transfer, and for larger commercial scope we work on progress payments. If you need a payment plan, ask when we quote and we will tell you what we can do.
The material
Closed cell or open cell for my house?
Most wood framed attics and interior walls in Houston get open cell. Steel, containers, crawl spaces, shallow cavities and anything needing a vapor retarder get closed cell. There is a full comparison on the services page.
What R value do I need?
Houston is climate zone 2A. On a roof deck we are usually targeting the R-20 to R-24 range with open cell at five and a half to six and a half inches, or R-19 to R-26 with closed cell at three to four inches. Walls are R-13 in a 2x4 and around R-20 in a 2x6.
Does foam ever need replacing?
No. Correctly applied foam is bonded to the substrate and stays put for the life of the building. It does not settle, sag or lose R value the way loose fill does. What can go wrong is a water event above it, which is a roof problem rather than a foam problem.
Do rodents chew through it?
Foam is not food and it does not nest well, so it is far less attractive to rodents than fiberglass. It is not a rodent barrier either. If you have an active problem, get the entry points closed before we seal the attic.
Safety and the day of the job
Do we have to leave the house?
Plan to be out during spraying and for a few hours after. We ventilate while we work and we tell you a specific time when the space is clear. For most attic jobs families are back in that evening.
What about the smell?
There is a chemical smell during application and it fades over several hours with ventilation. A lingering smell days later is a sign of an off ratio mix or a pass that was sprayed too thick. That is exactly why we spray in lifts and check our equipment before we start.
Is it safe around kids and pets?
Once cured, foam is inert. During application nobody should be in the space, including pets, and we set up ventilation accordingly. Our crew wears supplied air and full suits, which tells you how seriously we take the application window.
How long does the job take?
Most homes and most containers are one day. A 40 by 60 metal building is usually one day. Removal plus foam on a large two story can run into a second morning. Roof coating work depends on weather because the topcoat needs a dry window.
Buildings and assemblies
Will foam void my shingle warranty?
The major manufacturers publish guidance permitting unvented attic assemblies. Deck temperatures do rise a few degrees. If your roof is within a couple of years of replacement, do the roof first.
Can you foam over existing insulation?
Not on a deck, and not over anything damp or contaminated. Foam needs a clean substrate to bond to. Old material on the attic floor comes out first, which we quote as its own line.
Does my attic need to stay vented?
When we foam the deck, the attic becomes unvented by design and the soffit vents get sealed. That is the assembly, not an oversight. Leaving them open would let humid outside air into a space that is now inside your envelope.
Do I need an ignition barrier?
In most occupied spaces, yes, exposed foam needs a thermal or ignition barrier. Some attic and crawl space applications qualify for exposed use with specific products. We identify which category your job falls into at estimate time and price any coating in.
My metal building drips. Will foam fix that?
Yes, that is condensation on cold steel and closed cell is the standard fix. Two inches on the underside of the deck stops the interior air from reaching the panel.
Working with us
How fast can you get here?
Site visits are usually within two to four days across Harris County. Spray scheduling depends on the season. Summer is busy, so if you want it done before July, call in spring.
Do you work weekends?
Monday through Saturday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. For commercial jobs we also work nights when your operation needs it.
Is the estimate really free?
Yes, and it comes in writing with square footage, foam type, thickness, R value, prep and cleanup listed. No deposit to get a number.