If you want to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, then increasing the energy efficiency in your home is a great way to do it. One of the best ways to make your home more energy and eco conscious is through the installation of new or additional insulation.
There are many types of insulation available for home use but out of them all, spray foam insulation is one of the best. It boasts the best performance as an insulator, and comes along with a bunch of other benefits that could make it the right choice for you.
In the days of the internet and access to so much information around us all of the time, many people think to DIY a home improvement project before they consider having it done professionally. Naturally, this attitude applies to spray foam as well. Of course, most any home improvement project can be completed by an industrious homeowner with a few tools and a youtube account. However, the more important question is: is this really wise? There are some things you may want to consider first.
Can Spray Foam Be Installed Over Existing Insulation?
Many homeowners want to know if spray foam can be installed in an interior or exterior wall that is already standing. The answer to this is yes, of course! However, drywall will need to be removed first.
You are more than welcome to tear out the drywall and reinstall it yourself, however most homeowners prefer to avoid messing with drywall altogether. The removal of drywall can be an extremely messy and arduous task, the installation of drywall usually requires the expertise of a very experienced technician. Hiring an experienced contractor to do your drywall work may end up costing a bit more upfront but certainly has the potential to save you time and a major headache.
If you are considering installing spray foam insulation yourself you will want to factor in the extrication and reinstallation of drywall.
Can I Spray Foam Over Old Insulation?
Now that you’ve removed the drywall in preparation for your DIY spray foam project, you realize there is a bunch of old insulation in the walls. This is most likely fiberglass, as it’s the variety most commonly used within walls in new home constructions.
You may be wondering if you have to tear the old insulation out or if you can just spray the new foam over the old stuff? Unfortunately, you are going to remove the old insulation completely. There is just now way to apply a nice even coat of spray foam with a bunch of crusty old fiberglass hanging around in there. If the foam is not sprayed evenly and uniformly it will not be an effective insulator, and this will also compromise some of the other major benefits it has to offer, like providing a vapor barrier.
Is DIY Spray Foam Safe?
While spray foam insulation is completely safe after it has been sprayed and allowed to set, certain safety precautions need to be observed during the installation process. The fumes released during the installation process are poisonous as well as flammable. Due to the harmful nature of these fumes, it’s recommended that spray foam insulation is installed by professionals only, and that they adhere to strict safety protocols.
DIY Spray Foam VS. Hiring A Contractor
DIY spray foam can be great for small projects like sealing the gaps around doors or windows, or sealing up an old fireplace. However, if you have bigger ambitions it might make a lot more sense to just hire a professional.
When you hire a professional contractor you may actually end up saving yourself money in the long run because you will avoid potential mistakes and get the job done right the first time. You can rest assured that you are getting the best insulation efficiency that spray can offer, and know that the job is being done safely. Best of all, most spray foam contractors will offer a warranty on their work, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong down the road.
If you are looking for a qualified spray foam insulation contractor in Spokane, give us a chance! We have been in the business for over 50 years and have seen many DIY spray foam insulation projects go wrong. We can advise you as to whether or not this is a good idea.