Spray Foam Insulation in Dickson, TN

Spray foam insulation expands as it is sprayed and bonds to wood, concrete and steel, filling cracks and cavities that batts leave open. That air seal is its biggest advantage around Dickson. Hot, humid air leaking into a house carries heat and moisture, and stopping it lowers cooling bills and keeps crawl spaces and attics drier.

Closed cell

HomeGuide rates closed-cell foam at R-5 to R-7 per inch. It cures rigid, slows water vapor at typical thickness and does not hold water. We use it on crawl space walls and rim joists, against block foundations and on the steel of metal buildings and barns, where condensation is a problem.

Open cell

Open-cell foam is softer and expands much more, at R-3.5 to R-3.7 per inch. It costs less per square foot, fills odd cavities and dampens sound. Its most common use here is under the roof deck, which brings the attic inside the conditioned space. That matters when the HVAC unit and ducts are in the attic, because they no longer sit in 130-degree air in July.

Where foam pays off

Foam makes the most sense where air leaks are concentrated or space is limited: under roof decks with attic ductwork, crawl space walls, rim joists, bonus rooms, additions and new walls, and metal buildings. Over a wide, open attic floor with no ducts, sealing and blown-in usually give more for the money, and we say so on the quote.

Before we spray

We check for leaks, wet wood, old wiring and heat sources. Foam stays away from flues and hot fixtures, and exposed foam in living spaces generally needs a fire-rated covering. We write those details down before work starts.