Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the part of the house. On an open attic floor, sealing the ceiling and adding blown-in fiberglass or cellulose to around R-38 or more is often the most economical choice. Where ducts sit in the attic, open-cell or closed-cell foam under the roof deck can bring them inside the insulated shell. Block walls are usually insulated from the inside with foam or rigid board during a remodel.

HomeGuide lists closed-cell spray foam at $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot installed, compared with $1.50 to $3.50 for open-cell. The thickness you need, access and prep change the total. Our written estimate after the visit is what you pay.

No. Closed-cell foam absorbs very little water and slows vapor, which helps on block walls and low-slope roofs, but it is not a roof or a waterproofing system. Open-cell foam lets water pass through. Roof and plumbing leaks need to be fixed at the source before any foam goes in, or the foam can hide wet wood.

It can if the job is designed badly, which is why Florida's residential code has a section on unvented attics. The roof has to be sound, the foam must be the right type and thickness, and the attic is treated as part of the conditioned house rather than sealed off with no air exchange. We check the roof and explain how the attic will be handled before you decide.

For new work, the 2023 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation lists R-38 for ceilings in climate zone 2, which includes Pinellas. The Department of Energy suggests R-49 to R-60 for an uninsulated attic in zone 2 and adding R-38 to R-49 where a few inches already exist. Your building department applies the code to permitted work.

Duke Energy Florida lists attic insulation in its Home Energy Improvement program. Its posted rules require a free Home Energy Check first, an existing attic averaging R-19 or less, and a Duke Energy-approved contractor. Check the current rules and the approved contractor list with Duke before the work starts.

Canned foam and small kits are fine for sealing gaps around pipes and wires. Spraying a whole attic or roof deck is different: thickness, temperature, mixing and ventilation all affect how the foam cures. For anything larger than a few small gaps, a professional installation is the safer choice.

HomeGuide advises vacating for 24 hours or more while spray foam cures. Blown-in insulation and air sealing work usually do not require you to leave. We tell you the plan for your job before the work day.

Under a typical pitched roof, open-cell is common because there is room for the depth and it costs less per square foot. Closed-cell makes sense on low-slope roofs, shallow rafters and areas where moisture is a concern. Some jobs use both.

Several chemical companies make spray polyurethane foam systems sold to installers, and hardware stores carry small kits and cans for gaps. What matters more for you is the type of foam, the thickness installed and how the job is set up. Our quote names the foam type and thickness for each area.

It stops air leaks, and humid outdoor air comes in mostly through leaks. Closed-cell foam also slows vapor moving through the surface. Your air conditioner still controls indoor humidity, but a tighter house gives it less damp air to deal with.

Shingles under a foamed roof deck can run somewhat warmer because the attic no longer cools the deck from below. Shingle makers have their own policies on this, so ask your roofer or check your roof's warranty terms before deciding.

Yes. The 2023 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation lists R-38 for ceilings in climate zone 2, which includes Pinellas County. It applies to new construction and permitted work; for an existing home, the Department of Energy suggests adding R-38 to R-49 where only a few inches exist.

Usually, if the old insulation is dry, clean and not hiding a problem. If it is wet, moldy, full of rodent droppings or compressed into a thin mat, we recommend removing it first.

In most under-insulated Florida attics it reduces how hard the air conditioner works in summer. How much you save depends on how little was there before, how leaky the ceiling was, and where your ducts are.

A radiant barrier reflects some roof heat and can help in a hot attic, but it does not replace insulation depth or air sealing. We can talk through whether it makes sense once we have seen your attic.

Policies differ by shingle maker. Some address foam under the deck directly and some do not. Check with your roofer or the manufacturer before the job.

A properly designed unvented attic with the right foam, a sound roof and air shared with the conditioned house should stay dry. Problems tend to come from roof leaks, the wrong foam thickness or attics sealed off with no connection to the house's air.

Sometimes. It can stay if it is clean and dry, but many owners have it removed so the attic can be used for storage and the house and attic share air freely. The quote shows both choices.

Many single-family roofs are sprayed in a day, with prep the day before or the same morning. You should plan to be out while it cures; HomeGuide advises 24 hours or more.

Not well. The cores of an existing block wall can sometimes be filled, but the usual approach is to insulate the inside face when the drywall is off during a remodel or after water damage.

The 2023 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation lists R-13 for wood-frame walls and R-6 interior (or R-4 continuous) for mass walls in climate zone 2. Those apply to new and permitted work.

It can be, especially for rooms with a west- or south-facing wall in the afternoon sun or when walls are already open. If the attic still needs work, we usually suggest doing that first.

Foam does not feed termites, but it can hide their tunnels. Florida code limits foam near the soil for that reason, so we keep it on the inside of the wall and at least 6 inches above exposed earth.

For an attic floor with ducts elsewhere, blown-in plus air sealing usually reaches the target for less. Spray foam makes more sense under the roof deck when ducts and the air handler are in the attic, or in tight spaces.

Cellulose settles somewhat after installation, which is why it is installed a bit deeper than the target. Blown fiberglass settles very little. We follow the product's chart for installed depth.

Wet loose fill loses much of its insulating value and can hold odors and mold. If the roof leaks or the attic took on water, the wet insulation should come out once the leak is fixed.

Most single-family attics take a few hours to a day, including air sealing. You can usually stay home.

Only if the old material is wet, moldy, contaminated or so compressed that it is in the way. Clean, dry insulation can usually stay with new material added on top.

That depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. We can give you a written estimate and photos for your claim, but your insurer decides what is covered.

Usually yes. The vacuum truck or unit sits outside, the attic access is sealed off and living areas are covered. We will tell you if your job is different.

Vermiculite looks like small gray-brown or silvery pebbles. If you see it, do not disturb it and have it tested by a qualified lab before any work.