SPRAY FOAM & INSULATION
Spray foam insulation and foam sealants create airtight barriers that reduce energy costs, block drafts, and improve comfort in homes and buildings. Use the filters below to find the right foam based on your application, gap size, and project requirements.
Spray Foam Insulation & Air Sealing Projects
Watch step-by-step tutorials for insulating basements, sealing air leaks, and weatherizing your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Foam sealant is designed for air sealing small gaps, cracks, and penetrations (typically less than 3 inches) using one-component cans with straw or gun applicators, providing primarily air barrier benefits with minimal thermal insulation value. Spray foam insulation is formulated for filling larger cavities like wall bays, attics, and basements using canister or two-component kit systems, delivering high R-value thermal insulation (R-6 to R-7 per inch for closed-cell foam) in addition to air sealing. Use foam sealants for targeted air sealing around windows, doors, pipes, and wires, and spray foam insulation for comprehensive wall, attic, or basement insulation projects.
Yes, but you must use low-expansion foam specifically formulated for windows and doors, such as Window & Door foam sealants. Standard expansion foams can exert excessive pressure as they cure, causing window and door frames to bow, bind, or warp, which prevents proper operation and voids warranties. Low-expansion formulas expand minimally (typically 30-50% vs. 200-300% for standard foams) to seal air leaks without distorting frames. Always check product labels for "window and door" or "low-expansion" designation before applying foam around any window or door opening.
Fireblock foam is a fire-rated expanding foam sealant designed to seal gaps and penetrations in fire-rated wall and floor assemblies to slow the spread of fire and smoke. Building codes require fireblocking at specific locations including electrical wiring penetrations through wall studs, plumbing and HVAC penetrations between floors, and gaps around recessed lighting in fire-rated ceilings. Fireblock foam is typically orange-colored for easy identification during building inspections and meets ASTM E814 and UL 1479 fire-resistance standards. Check local building codes to determine where fireblock foam is required for your project.
Spray foam kit coverage is measured in board feet, where one board foot equals a 12-inch by 12-inch area at 1-inch thickness. A 200 board foot kit covers approximately 200 square feet at 1-inch depth, or 100 square feet at 2-inch depth (common for rim joist insulation). Wall & Cavity Foam canisters are labeled with their board foot coverage (10.5 lb, 20 lb, or 35 lb canisters provide increasing coverage), while two-component kits like Pro System 200 or 600 are named for their board foot yield. Calculate your project coverage by multiplying square footage by desired thickness in inches to determine required board feet.
Most spray foam sealants and insulation products are paintable once fully cured, typically after 24 hours, though cure times vary with temperature and humidity. The foam surface should be trimmed flush with surrounding surfaces and lightly sanded if needed before painting for best results. However, foam exposed to direct sunlight or UV radiation outdoors will degrade and discolor over time, so exterior applications should always be painted, covered, or protected with trim to prevent UV damage and deterioration. Check product labels for specific paintability and cure time requirements.
Spray foam becomes tack-free in 7 to 12 minutes under normal conditions (70°F and 50% relative humidity), allowing you to trim excess foam or apply additional layers. Full cure requiring 24 hours before sanding, painting, or subjecting to stress occurs as the foam completes its chemical reaction. Cure time increases in cold temperatures (below 60°F) or low humidity (below 40%), and decreases in warm, humid conditions. For best results, apply foam when surface and ambient temperatures are between 60°F and 100°F with adequate humidity for proper curing.
Closed-cell spray foam insulation provides an R-value of approximately R-6 to R-7 per inch of thickness, making it one of the highest R-value insulation materials available. A typical 2-inch application in a rim joist provides R-12 to R-14, while a 3.5-inch application in a 2x4 wall cavity achieves R-21 to R-24. This high R-value comes from the foam's dense, closed-cell structure that traps insulating gas bubbles and creates both a thermal barrier and an air barrier simultaneously. Foam sealants (straw and gun foams) have lower R-values and are used primarily for air sealing rather than thermal insulation.
Most spray foam products can be applied in temperatures as low as 40°F, but performance is optimal between 60°F and 80°F. Cold temperatures slow the curing process, potentially taking hours instead of minutes for foam to become tack-free, and may reduce expansion and final density. For best results in cold weather, store foam canisters at room temperature (70-75°F) for at least 24 hours before use, warm the application surface if possible, and allow extended cure time before trimming or finishing. Avoid applying foam when temperatures are below 40°F or when surfaces are frozen, as foam may not cure properly or achieve rated performance.