Frequently Asked Questions

Often, in the right places. It pays off most under roof decks when ducts sit in the attic, on crawl space walls and raised floors, in metal buildings and in additions where air sealing matters. On an open attic floor, blown-in insulation with good air sealing can reach R-38 for less, so we price both when both would work.

HomeGuide's 2026 national figures put installed foam at $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot, with open-cell at the low end and closed-cell at the high end. A foamed roof deck runs $1,500 to $9,000 in that guide and a whole house $8,000 to $20,000. We measure your spaces and the written estimate is your price.

The 2023 Florida energy code's Zone 2 table lists R-38 for ceilings in new work. DOE suggests R-49 to R-60 for an existing attic with no insulation, or adding R-38 to R-49 if 3 to 4 inches are already there. The city's ceiling insulation grant also uses R-38 for most homes.

Open-cell is lighter and cheaper per inch and is common under roof decks and in interior walls. Closed-cell is denser, holds R-5 to R-7 per inch and resists water, so it fits crawl spaces, raised floors and metal buildings. Many houses use both in different places.

We did not find a program that pays for foam. The City of Tallahassee Utilities grant covers 80% of a ceiling insulation job up to $400 (up to $500 for income-qualified customers), but only blown fiberglass or cellulose by approved contractors after a free energy audit. Check the city's page for current terms.

Foam itself is not food for termites, but it can hide their mud tubes. The Florida Building Code keeps a six-inch inspection gap between soil and exterior wall coverings and limits foam plastic on the outside of foundation walls in very heavy termite areas. We keep foam out of those inspection zones.

HomeGuide advises staying out for at least 24 hours while foam cures. Jobs in a detached shop or barn may not affect the house at all. We give you the timing for your job when we schedule it.

Shingles under a foamed deck can run somewhat warmer, but the main heat source is still the sun. We check roof age and condition first, and if a roof is near the end of its life we suggest timing the foam with the reroof.

It can if the attic is not planned as a conditioned space. An unvented attic needs the vents sealed and a way to keep the air dry, usually through the HVAC system. We explain the plan before we spray.

Not on top of loose fill or batts. Foam needs to bond to a clean surface like the roof deck, studs or block. Old material on the attic floor may stay or come out depending on the plan.

Cured foam does not settle or sag the way loose fill can, so it keeps its thickness. It still needs to be protected from sunlight and kept dry, and we point out any roof or plumbing problems first.

HomeGuide advises staying out for at least 24 hours while it cures. After that, the house is ventilated and you can return. We confirm timing for your job.

The 2023 Florida energy code's Zone 2 table lists R-38 for ceilings in new work. Existing homes are not forced to upgrade, but R-38 is the common target, and DOE suggests R-49 to R-60 for an attic starting from nothing.

A radiant barrier can cut some attic heat, but it does not replace insulation or air sealing. The city's ceiling insulation grant does not cover radiant barriers. We focus on sealing and depth first.

Insulating the floor is usually cheaper. Foaming the roof deck helps most when the ducts and air handler are in the attic and leaky or hard to reach. We price both when both fit.

Most air sealing and blown-in jobs take a day. Roof deck foam or removal adds time. We give you the schedule with the quote.

Only as part of a full plan. Closing vents without a ground barrier and a way to dry the air can make things worse. If the crawl space is encapsulated properly, the vents get sealed.

Usually because humid summer air condenses on the cool floor and the batts soak up the water, get heavy and drop. Replacing them with the same batts tends to repeat the problem.

It can. Some termite contracts require access to the foundation and sill. Ask your provider before you start, and we will leave the inspection areas they need.

Most sealed crawl spaces need some way to dry the air, either a dehumidifier or a small supply of conditioned air. We include that in the plan.

In frame walls, yes, usually with dense-pack cellulose blown through small holes that get patched. Block walls are different and are usually insulated from inside during a remodel.

In most above-grade 2x4 walls it reaches about R-13, which matches the Zone 2 wall level in the Florida energy code. Closed-cell is used where depth is short or moisture is a risk.

Only for sound or temperature control between rooms, like a bedroom next to a garage. It does not change your energy use much otherwise.

After rough wiring, plumbing and framing inspections, and before drywall. Tell us your builder's schedule and we will plan around it.

It depends on how you will cool the space. An inch or more of closed-cell stops condensation, and more adds R-value for an air-conditioned shop. We write the thickness and R-value on the quote.

Yes. The roof gets the most sun and drips the most, so roof-only jobs are common. Walls can be added later.

No. Foam is not a roof repair. Leaks need fixing first, or the foam will hide wet wood and rusting fasteners.

Rules differ for agricultural buildings and for buildings used as shops or living space. Check with your county building department, especially if the use is changing.

Usually yes for cellulose, which mats down and holds water. Fiberglass that got a little damp may dry, but if it is stained, compressed or moldy it should come out.

Yes, if the old material is dry, clean and not compressed. That is common when topping up an attic to R-38.

Sometimes, when the damage comes from a covered event like a storm. Check with your insurer. We can provide a written quote and photos for your claim.

Most attic removals take a day, and reinsulating may be the same day or the next. Larger or heavily contaminated spaces take longer.