Spray Foam Insulation — The Ugly Truth?

Roger explains the pros and cons of having spray foam insulation in your house.

Spray foam insulation explained by the Which? Team.

Also called spray polyurethane foam (SPF), it is an alternative to traditional building insulation.

It’s versatile and can be used to insulate your roof, loft, walls and floor, helping to retain warmth and reduce energy costs.

PROS AND CONS

Spray foam insulation offers a number of benefits, such as:

✔ It can be applied in difficult-to-reach areas.

✔ In some cases, it can provide additional soundproofing.

However, there are also some significant drawbacks to consider, such as:

✖ It’s more expensive than other types of insulation.

✖ It needs to be installed by a professional.

✖ It can be difficult to remove once it’s been installed.

✖ Potentially reduces ventilation within the roof space, causing humidity and dampness; placing roof timbers at risk of decay.

✖ Harmful fumes are given off during installation.

✖ It shouldn’t be used in listed buildings or houses with thatched roofs.

✖ It’s often ugly, messy and can’t be decorated over.

✖ It can affect the value of your property.

✖ It may prevent buyers from getting a mortgage.

We’d strongly advise getting specialist advice from an expert or two in this area and proceeding with caution.

What is spray foam insulation?

Spray foam insulation is a liquid foam that is sprayed into position and sets into an insulating layer.

It can be used to insulate your roof, loft, walls, floors and more. It has been in use for more than 30 years and is now becoming increasingly popular as it’s an effective insulator and can also stop air leakage.

There are two types of spray foam insulation to choose from. Closed-cell spray foam Open cell spray foam. If spray foam insulation is right for your home and budget, the type you choose will depend on what you want it to do.

If you’re looking to insulate your loft, the Which dedicated guide explains the different types of loft insulation.

🔗 https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/insulation/article/spray-foam-insulation-ajTlp7t5K7lT – Which?

About Dylan Garton

Dylan Garton is a co-founder, video producer and editor for the Skill Builder social media platforms.

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