Spray Foam Insulation Alexandria, VA

Though there are many options for insulation available in Alexandria, VA, spray foam insulation is gaining popularity because of its many benefits, such as its long-lasting nature, resistance to moisture and eco-friendliness. However, you might be having second thoughts about installing spray foam insulation because of its high costs.

​In fact, the installation charges are much higher than the cost of the product itself! This is mainly because of the labor that is involved in the process of installing spray foam insulation in Alexandria, VA.

You may be wondering about the Do-It-Yourself spray foam insulation kits that are available in many of your local hardware stores. While DIY spray foam insulation is an option, let’s take a look at some of the pro’s and con’s to find out if it a feasible option or not.

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​DIY Spray Foam Insulation

DIY spray foam insulation is a good option when it comes to cutting down on labor costs. Some of the pros of DIY spray foam insulation are:

• Cheaper costs: Since spray foam insulation is pretty expensive to install, if you use DIY spray foam insulation, you will be saving a bit of money.
• Easily available: Nowadays since many people are opting for spray foam insulation, local hardware stores in Alexandria have many spray foam insulation kits available.
• Less waiting time: With DIY spray foam you won’t need to wait for busy spray foam insulation contractors to come and work on your spray foam insulation projects.
• Ideal only for tiny spaces: DIY spray foam insulation is alright only if you work on small projects such as the inside of your closet. 

Some of the cons of DIY spray foam insulation are as follows:

• Fire potential: Spray foam insulation in Alexandria, VA is best done by professionals as the vapor itself is very flammable. There should be no open flames or any ignition sources anywhere around the work area where spray foam insulation is being used. People who use DIY spray foam insulation in Alexandria VA may not consider their oil-furnace as a source of ignition, but it is.
• Protective gear: All professional spray foam insulation contractors use specialized protective gear such as a full body-suit, chemically resistant gloves and a face mask with respiratory gear, while using spray foam insulation in Alexandria, VA. The vapors that are emitted from spray foam insulation are poisonous and should not be inhaled. Spray foam insulation is perfectly safe only after it fully cures.
• Too much foam: When you use spray foam insulation, it can be difficult to gauge how much spray foam you need to apply in order to actually obtain the required thickness. You may end up spraying much more than you normally should and this will not only be a waste of resources but too much spray foam insulation being sprayed at a time could generate heat which could lead to fire.
• Too sticky or too wet: Since you have not used spray foam insulation before, it may end up either being too sticky or too wet. In both cases, the spray foam will not be applied to the substrate easily. When licensed professionals apply spray foam insulation in Alexandria VA, they know the exact consistency of the mixture.
• Danger of spoiling the chemicals: Spray foam insulation is made on the spot itself, form two separate cans that finally come together at the gun with the nozzle spray applicator. Sometimes, when using spray foam insulation, the nozzle can get jammed and this can spoil the entire can of spray foam insulation.
• Warranty: When you go through a professional, should anything go wrong in the future, you can always contact them regarding the job that they did as most spray foam insulation contractors offer a warranty on their products and services.
• Cleaning and disposal: When doing a spray foam insulation job by yourself, you may find it difficult to dispose of the waste material and clean up after you are done. Spray foam is very sticky and can stick to furniture and other items that don’t require insulation. A spray foam insulation contractor in Alexandria, VA will always clean up after the job is over and also ensure safe disposal of all the raw material.

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​How to Hire a Spray Foam Insulation Contractor

While it seems obvious that DIY spray foam insulation is not a feasible option, finding the right person for the job is just as important. Here as some tips that could help you find the right contractor for your project!

• Through references: Before you start looking for spray foam insulation contractors on your own, it’s always a good idea to ask your family and friends for references. If any of them have used a spray foam insulation contractor in Alexandria VA in the recent past and are happy with the services they received, then you can contact the same contractor and see if they are willing to do the job for you as well.​
• Interview many: When looking for a contractor on your own, without any references, don’t just speak to one and settle for the job. Make sure you speak to at least 4 or 5 spray foam insulation contractors in Alexandria, VA to get an idea about what they offer and look for any similarities and differences.

• Check for certifications: All good spray foam insulation contractors, like Virginia Spray Foam Insulation, will have a certification and license. Do not hesitate to ask them for this and do not hire anyone who does not have proof of their qualifications.

• Ask for testimonies: A confident spray foam insulation contractor will be eager to show their work and prove their standard and quality when it comes to their job. Ask them for testimonies of other customers who used their services and you can even check their website and social media platforms.

• Don’t hire a part-timer: There are many part-time spray foam insulation contractors in Alexandria, VA who will be willing to do the job for you, but if they are doing spray foam insulation on a part-time basis, they may lack the experience that goes along with the job. 

​Safety Gear used by Spray Foam Insulation Contractors

All professional spray foam insulation contractors in Alexandria, VA follow certain safety guidelines when working with spray foam insulation. Safety is of utmost priority and highly important. Spray foam insulation is completely safe only when it is used in the correct manner and with certain protective equipment and gear. Some of the protective equipment that contractors and their team use is as follows:

• Skin protection: Depending upon how much exposure there will be, protective clothing may differ but most insulation contractors in Alexandria use disposable suits that cover the entire body that protect the spray foam from touching their skin. The material is chemically resistant yet breathable. Disposable clothing is the best any toxic chemicals that get onto the clothing can be rid of easily.​
• Gloves: Gloves come in different sizes and the spray foam applicator should always use the correct size as too big or small gloves will not give full protection. Fabric gloves that are fully coated with nitrile, neoprene, PVC and butyl rubber are the best to use.
• Eye protection: Eye protection is a must which all spray foam insulation installers use in Alexandria VA. While applying spray foam it may accidentally splash into the eyes and the aerosols, vapors, sand and dust that are present in the work area may irritate the eyes.

• Respirators: SARs (Supplied Air Respirators) is a type of respirator that is generally used during any spray foam insulation job. Air is supplied by SARs through a hose from a low pressure pump that is located outside the work area. This provides the best protection to the wearer. It consists of a face-piece which is connected to the hose; the face-piece may be loose-fitting or tight-fitting. This respirator is used for both indoor as well as outdoor projects.​
• Air-purifying respirator: APRs (Air Purifying Respirators) removes air contaminants by the means of mechanical filtration and/or chemical adsorption. It is typically used by helpers and chemical handlers. The quality of protection that is offered by the APRs depends upon the cartridge used, the cartridge condition and the respirator fit. The cartridge is usually changed after every 8 hours.

​Where Not to Use Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation in Alexandria, VA has a wide variety of applications such as for the attic, basement, walls, crawlspace, floors and roof but it should not be used in certain places as it can cause fire hazards.

• In areas that are too close to electrical boxes: Spray foam insulation should not be used near electrical boxes because it is expanding in nature. If the spray foam gets into the electrical box, it can jam up the parts and this could lead to a fire.
• Near ceiling light boxes: Spray foam insulation should be avoided near recessed canister ceiling lights. Light bulbs heat up and if used in enclosed spaces, when the ceiling fixture comes in close contact with the spray foam, it can lead up to a fire.
• In closed-cavity spaces: Spray foam insulation expands upon spraying. Thus it should not be used in enclosed spaces as it is difficult to control the rate of expansion. Rather injection foam should be used in place of spray foam insulation.
• If you have skin or respiratory problems: Isocyanates are chemicals that are used in spray foam insulation and if you have a history of asthma, respiratory problems and skin problems, if you are exposed to the chemicals in spray foam insulation, your health issues can get aggravated, so it is better if you avoid spray foam insulation.

​Is Spray Foam Insulation Worth it?

​Since spray foam insulation in Alexandria, VA is a big investment compared to other types of insulation, you may be wondering if it is worth the investment or not. Listed below are some of the reasons why spray foam insulation is definitely worth it after all!

• Brings down overall energy costs: Many homeowners realized that after they installed spray foam insulation in Alexandria, their energy costs drastically declined by about 30-40%. In other words, even though you may be making a large investment in spray foam insulation, you will cut down on your energy bills. In the long run, you will actually save a lot more money over the years.​
• Long-lasting: Spray foam insulation in Alexandria, VA lasts as many years and under ideal circumstances you won’t have to change or replace your spray foam insulation for up to 80 years. Thus, this is definitely worth the investment.
• Improves indoor air quality: Spray foam insulation is great for saving all cracks and crevices. When preventing the entry of outside air, it also prevents pollen and dust from entering your home and the quality of the air inside your home and building structure improves a lot. You will be in an environment of conditioned air and this is a great benefit for the health of you and your family members.
• Creates a peaceful environment: spray foam insulation in Alexandria, VA acts as a sound dampening material especially when used in the walls. This creates a more peaceful environment for your home by reducing noise between rooms. 

Contact Us

If you live in Alexandria, Virginia and want spray foam insulation installed in your home, make sure to contact us today, and we will be happy to discuss your budget and offer you an estimate for your project. We have a team of experienced insulation installers who will be able to do a perfect job of spray foam insulation in Alexandria, VA. As you may have gathered by now, spray foam insulation in Alexandria, VA is a job that is best left to professionals to handle for reasons of safety and accuracy. Call us today!

Call (703) 270-0723