Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on which surfaces get foam, not the floor area. HomeGuide's national figure for a whole house is $8,000 to $20,000, and Fixr's is $10,000 to $30,000. Many Indianapolis homes only need foam in a few places, like the rim joist, crawl space walls or kneewalls, with blown-in on the attic floor, which costs far less. We measure and send a written price.

Add up the wall and ceiling area you want covered and multiply by the foam price: HomeGuide lists $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot for open-cell and $3.00 to $5.00 for closed-cell. A 20x20 garage with 9-foot walls has about 720 square feet of wall plus 400 of ceiling. Doors, windows and the foam thickness change the number, and many jobs hit a minimum of $1,000 to $2,000 or more.

Usually because of foam sprayed on the underside of a roof deck, which hides the sheathing from inspectors and can hide a leak, or because of bad installs that were mixed wrong or sprayed too thick in one pass. A careful job fixes leaks first, follows the maker's thickness limits and documents what went where. We put the foam type, thickness and location on the quote and invoice.

Around Indianapolis, closed-cell is the common choice for band joists, crawl space and basement walls, steel buildings and roof decks with no vent space, because it resists vapor and gives more R-value per inch. Open-cell is cheaper and suits stud walls, above-grade cavities and some rooflines. The quote lists which foam goes in which area.

The 2020 Indiana Residential Code lists R-38 for ceilings in Climate Zone 5, which includes Marion County. For an existing attic, the Department of Energy recommends R-60 in that zone if there is no insulation and adding R-49 over 3 to 4 inches of old fill. We measure what you have and write the target on the quote.

In many Indianapolis homes, yes. Vented crawl spaces pull in humid summer air, and much of the area sits on poorly drained till soils. A sealed vapor barrier, closed vents and insulated walls usually keep the space drier and the floor warmer. Standing water or drainage problems get fixed first.

HomeGuide suggests allowing at least a full day while the foam cures. A detached garage or barn job usually does not affect the house. We go over timing for your specific job before scheduling.

AES Indiana's attic insulation rebate page lists $0.325 or $0.42 per square foot depending on the starting R-value, for residential customers whose homes are all electric. Check the page for current terms before the job; we can provide the measurements the form asks for.

On band joists, crawl space and basement walls, metal buildings and roof decks with no attic, it usually is, because it resists vapor and packs more R-value into each inch. Inside stud walls or between floors, open-cell often does the same job for less. Where either would work, the quote shows both.

Using HomeGuide's installed range of $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot, 1,500 square feet of sprayed surface comes to roughly $2,250 to $7,500 depending on foam type and depth. That is surface area, not the size of the house. The figure on your written estimate is the price.

That depends on the R-value you are after and which foam is used. Closed-cell, at R-5 to R-7 per inch, gets a meaningful number in 2 to 3 inches. We write the planned depth on the quote.

In a heated basement, yes. In a cold attic, crawl space or unheated barn, both the chemicals and the surface must be inside a working temperature range, so we bring heat or wait for a milder stretch.

Closed-cell resists vapor and stops humid air from reaching cold surfaces where it would turn to water. It is not a waterproofing product and will not stop an active leak, so leaks get repaired first.

The Insulation Institute's summary of the 2020 Indiana Residential Code lists R-38 for ceilings in Climate Zone 5, which covers the Indianapolis area. For existing attics, the Department of Energy recommends R-60 if there is none and adding R-49 over 3 to 4 inches. Permit needs vary by city, so check before a remodel.

It helps most when the attic floor is sealed first and ducts in the attic are sealed too. Insulation slows heat coming through the ceiling; sealing stops hot attic air from leaking down.

In most attics, yes, if the existing layer is dry and clean. We often move some of it aside to seal the gaps underneath, then blow the new layer over everything.

On an open attic floor, sealing the leaks and blowing in cellulose or fiberglass usually reaches the target for less. Foam makes more sense on kneewalls, short attic floors and roof decks without an attic.

Spring and fall are most comfortable, since Indianapolis attics get very hot in summer. We can work year round, starting early in the day when it is hot.

For many homes with a damp or musty crawl space, yes. Humid summers and poorly drained soils push moisture into vented crawl spaces. Sealing the vents and ground and insulating the walls usually keeps the space drier and the floor warmer.

If the crawl space is sealed, on the walls and rim joist. If it must stay vented, insulate and air seal the floor above instead. We explain which fits your house.

Some homes do and some do not. It depends on how tight the space ends up and how humid it runs. We check after the work and tell you if it is needed.

That needs fixing first, with grading, gutters or a drain and sump. Insulation and a liner do not fix drainage. We flag it and price insulation work for after it is solved.

Often, yes. It is a small area but a big air leak, and closed-cell foam seals and insulates it in one pass. HomeGuide lists a typical rim joist job at $2,000 to $2,500.

The 2020 Indiana Residential Code, as summarized by the Insulation Institute, lists R-13 cavity or R-10 continuous for basement walls in Climate Zone 5. Check with your building department for permit requirements.

Batts against concrete behind plastic often trap moisture. Foam board or closed-cell foam against the concrete is the safer approach, with framing in front.

Before. The walls and rim are open, the work is faster, and you avoid tearing into new drywall later.

Keep warm, moist air off the cold steel. Closed-cell foam sprayed on the roof steel does that and adds insulation. Better ventilation helps too, especially in barns with animals.

HomeGuide lists closed-cell at $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot installed. Add up the roof and wall area you want covered. Thickness and height change the total, and the written estimate after we measure is the price.

It is one of the most common fixes for a cold bonus room. Foam insulates the floor above and seals out garage air.

Insulating a farm building often does not, but converting it to living space or adding heat and plumbing can. Check with your city or county building department.

Not usually. If it is dry, clean and not hiding major leaks, new insulation can go on top. Removal makes sense when it is wet, soiled, moldy or blocking air sealing.

HomeAdvisor lists $1 to $2 per square foot, with a typical job at $600 to $1,200. Access and the amount of material change that. The written estimate from our visit is the price.

Do not disturb it. Have it tested; if it contains asbestos, a licensed abatement contractor removes it. After that we can seal and insulate.

Many attic removals take a day, with sealing and new insulation the same day or the next. Large or heavily soiled spaces can take longer.