Spray Foam Insulation in York, PA

Spray foam insulation goes on as a liquid, expands into gaps and cures in place, so one layer both insulates and stops air. In York, that matters most at the rim joist and sill of older homes, on stone and block basement walls, in shallow rowhome roof cavities where there is no room for thick insulation, at knee walls and sloped ceilings in finished third floors, and on the steel of garages and shops.

Closed cell vs open cell

Closed-cell foam cures hard and dense at about R-5 to R-7 per inch (HomeGuide). It slows vapor and does not take on water, which makes it the choice against masonry and on rim joists, and it packs the most R-value into a thin space like a rowhome roof cavity. Open-cell is softer, about R-3.5 to R-3.7 per inch, lets vapor through and costs less, so it fits roof decks in planned sealed attics and interior walls.

Rowhome roofs

Many York rowhomes have a flat or low-slope roof over a shallow cavity. When the top-floor ceiling is open, or the roof is being replaced, closed-cell foam can fill that cavity to a much higher R-value than batts. When neither is happening, we look at blowing insulation in through small openings instead.

Where foam is not the answer

Foam does not fix water. Roof leaks and wet basement walls get fixed first. Live knob-and-tube wiring and vermiculite that may contain asbestos have to be dealt with before anything covers them. Open attic floors with room for depth are usually cheaper to air seal and blow.

Getting ready

We cover floors and belongings, mask fixtures and ventilate. HomeGuide advises staying out of the house at least 24 hours while foam cures. Exposed foam in living spaces, basements and garages usually needs a thermal or ignition barrier, and we plan for that in the quote.

Tell us what you want fixed and we will send a written foam plan. Get a free estimate