Spray foam insulation in Los Angeles

That makes it both an insulator and an air barrier. We apply spray foam insulation in homes across Los Angeles, from Culver City, West Hollywood and Hollywood to Calabasas, Thousand Oaks and Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Foam is not the right answer for every house. In some attics blown-in insulation is the simpler fix, and in others the foam makes the most sense. If you are comparing options, start with all our insulation services and we will help you narrow it down. We are licensed and insured, and we work every day, every day, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Spray foam insulation comes in two forms. They are chemically similar and differ in how the foam is built.

• Open-cell foam is soft and light. It blocks air well, lets water vapor pass through, and can soak up and hold liquid water if it gets wet.
• Closed-cell foam is dense and rigid. It does not absorb water, acts as a vapor retarder, and is stronger. There is more material in every foot of it, so it costs more.

Neither is better in every place. The choice follows the part of the house, how much moisture it sees and how much room there is.

Spray foam insulation is installed by a trained applicator using special equipment. The two parts of the liquid are mixed at the nozzle and sprayed onto the surface, where the foam rises and sets. Closed-cell foam is built up in layers, open-cell foam can be applied thicker in one pass.

Because foam is combustible, building rules require it to be covered. A thermal barrier is the usual cover, and in attics and crawlspaces that are only entered for service, an ignition barrier can be enough, depending on the product. Foam must also be protected from direct sunlight. Limited access in an attic can make the work harder.

The cost of spray foam insulation moves with the type of foam, the area to cover, how thick it has to be, how hard the space is to reach and what has to be removed or prepared first. Closed-cell foam costs more than open-cell for the same area, and a roof deck is a bigger job than a patch of gaps. It generally costs more than blown-in insulation, which is why we look at the attic before recommending foam. Our guide to attic insulation cost explains the factors that move the price.

Spray foam chemicals can irritate the lungs, eyes and skin, and in some people cause asthma, so installation is a job for trained people in protective gear. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises that occupants and other trades stay out of the work area until the foam has cured, the space is ventilated and the manufacturer's re-occupancy instructions are met. EPA does not give one safe time for every product, so we follow the manufacturer's directions for the foam being used.

Plan for the household, children and pets to stay out of the work area until it is cleared.

Spray foam works alongside the other jobs we do. If the old insulation in the attic is wet, moldy or soiled by animals, insulation removal comes before new material goes in. For a standard attic floor that needs more depth, attic insulation with blown-in material is often the simpler route. Foam is also an option for wall insulation during a remodel and for crawlspace insulation.