Are you interested in finding the best spray foam insulation kit? Want to avoid the cost and hassle of insulation contractors?
I have done the research and made a list of the highest quality and affordable spray foam kits. As a home inspector, I have seen many attics and crawlspaces that had deteriorated and inadequate insulation --- think of insulation from the 1940's.
But there is an easier way and it's called spray foam. In this guide, I will go over...
- my #1 top pick for the best spray foam insulation kit
- closed cell vs open cell
- the advantages of spray foam over other types
- best places to apply spray foam insulation
- a brief guide on how to use spray foam
- And much more...
Let's get started with this guide!
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
- 15-ft hose, dispenser, and nozzles for a complete kit to insulate your home
- Totally cures in less than one minute
- Covers up to 620 square feet
- Quick cure polyurethane for cracks, walls, crevices, and ceilings
My overall top pick for the best spray foam insulation kit is made by Dow Froth-Pak and it is enough to cover over 600 square feet. The kit includes a 15-ft hose, Insta-Flo gun dispenser, and a variety of spray nozzles. Use this kit to quickly insulate crawl spaces, attics, wall cavities, ceilings, and much more.
My List of the Best Spray Foam Insulation Kits
Are you short on time? Here is my short list for the best spray polyurethane foam DIY kits.
If you want to skip my full guide, then check out my top picks below...
What Are Spray Foam Insulation Kits?
If you need to insulate a wall cavity, floor, or crawlspace, the spray foam insulation kits were designed just for you. These insulation kits come with everything you will need to properly insulate an area with polyurethane foam --- closed cell or open cell. Spray foam insulation is extremely effective and common way to insulate and air seal homes around the country --- it can also act as a great moisture barrier.
Expanding foam insulation kits usually come with the gun dispenser assembly, the hose, different spray nozzles --- and sometimes even with goggles, air filter masks, and hazard suits.
Most of the spray foam insulation kits on the market come with two tanks each containing two different chemicals --- isocynate & polyol. When these two chemicals are mixed together, spray foam insulation is the end product. Some styrofoam insulation even turns a particular color when mixed properly.
How Do You Use A DIY Spray Foam Insulation Kit?
Even though each spray foam kit will have it's own idiosyncrasies, many kits are similar in application. Always follow the manufacturer instructions. This is just a rough guide on how to use a spray polyurethane foam kit...
1. Connect hose to tank
One of the first steps is to connect the spray hose to the tank. You may have tighten connection with a wrench.
2. Rock the Tanks
With many kits you will have to rock the tank, and then fully open the valves.
3. Purge The Tanks
Now it's time to briefly purge the tank by spraying foam into a waste container. This also allows you to verify the quality of the foam sealant.
4. Verify Temperature
Most foam kits will not spray or cure properly if it is too cold, either the ambient air or the tank temperature. Make sure you are in the temperature parameters of your kit.
5. Spray Foam
Spray the foam insulation from around 6 inches to 24 inches away from the material. Don't apply the foam too thick, at most apply 2 inches. If you want it to be thicker, it will need to be a separate application. If you don't spray out of the nozzle within a minute or so, you may have to replace the nozzle.
6. Curing Time
The majority of foam kits will cure within a few minutes.
How Well Does Spray Foam Insulation Work?
Foam insulation can reduce energy losses in a home by up to nearly 50%. Foam insulation tends to work better than standard insulation because it is flexible and takes the shape of the cavity.
The majority of energy losses in a home is through air leaks --- especially in areas difficult to insulate like attics and crawlspaces.
Also, there are mold resistant qualities to foam insulation. The main component is inert which means that it isn't a food source for mold. Fiberglass batts for example have a paper face which can sometimes be a food source.
Closed cell insulation can also add additional structural integrity to a wall or roof because its density. And because the foam adheres to the surface, it can add to the resistance of warping and shaking.
Foam insulation will also act as a moisture barrier (much more than standard insulation). This can help protect wood framing from mold growth and deterioration.
Read Also: Signs Of Black Mold On Air Vents
Where To Buy Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation Kits?
The best place to buy foam insulation kits is Amazon, the largest online marketplace.
With Amazon, you can pick between numerous spray foam kits, and read multiple reviews. Shipping is usually fast, and the return policy is normally quite simple.
The great thing about Amazon is that you can read positive and negative reviews and avoid problems before even buying.
What Are The Best DIY Spray Foam Insulation Kits?
I have done the research and compiled a list of the best spray foam kits --- each with their own set of pros and cons. No spray foam kit is perfect, but here is the list of what I think are the best. Check it out below...
This spray foam insulation kit (up to 620 square feet) by Dow Froth-Pak will allow you to quickly insulate wall/floor cavities, attics, rim joists, crawl spaces, and more.
The quick cure feature of this kit means that the insulation will skin over in less than a minute, and fully cure in about an hour.
The two part polyurethane foam kit with the gun dispenser, spray nozzles, and hose assembly.
- Quick install foam insulation (cures in less than an hour)
- Insulate and air seal walls, floors, and cracks
- 620 square feet of insulation (1 inch thick)
- Must spray quickly or can stick to nozzle
- Complaints of pressure loss
The closed cell insulation kit by Foam It Green is an affordable kit for any homeowner to insulate an attic, crawlspace, wall or floor.
This kit covers up to 602 square feet of one inch foam insulation.
The insulation is fire retardant rated and also has anti-microbial properties on the surface.
Used in over 50k homes and 100% made in the United States.
- One step install of closed cell insulation
- Covers 602 square feet of one inch insulation (kit has all the tools needed)
- Fire & anti-microbial rated
- Nozzle may leak foam
- Complaints of poor customer service
Insulate your attic, crawlspace, or walls with the 202 square foot kit by Foam It Green.
The closed cell insulation is applied in one step and includes, gloves, spray gun, hoses, and everything you need.
The foam insulation is fire retardant rated and specially formulated to resist mold growth.
It uses stainless steel canisters pressurized with nitrogen.
- Insulation up to 202 square feet (one step application)
- Anti-mold formulated foam (helps resist microbes)
- Fire retardant insulation for improved safety
- May have trouble actually covering 200 square feet
- Complaints of nozzle problems
Here is a foam insulation kit that covers up to 1000 square feet, a very large amount.
This kit by Touch N Seal comes with a 30' gun hose assembly and fan/cone spray nozzles. The insulated is Class I fire-rated and is open celled.
Use this insulation to tightly seal your home and prevent heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. Does not compress or distort like cellulose insulation.
- Over 1000 square feet of foam insulation to keep your home air tight
- Class I fire rated insulation (improved safety)
- Comes with 30ft gun hose assembly, 8 cone, and 2 fan nozzles
- May get less coverage than expected
- Bad fumes
- Only one inch per pass
