How to Use Spray Foam Like the Professionals

Energy efficiency means using less energy to produce the same result. Energy-efficient homes use less energy to achieve the same comfortable temperature and run the same appliances, saving homeowners money and conserving resources in the process.

In home construction, one of the simplest ways to increase energy efficiency is to prevent air leakage. The professionals use tools like spray foam to seal up gaps and cracks prior to installing insulation. The good news? You have access to their tools, tips, and tricks, too!

Take it from our friend Nick and the team at NS Builders (@nsbuilders), who recently completed a New England Tudor-style home build just west of Boston. Before insulating the home, Nick used spray foam to tackle critical details in air sealing that would increase the build’s efficiency and sustainability in the long-term.

See how Nick uses spray foam to tightly seal three different parts of the home in the video below.

Next, we’ll break down some of the spray foam products Nick used, how he used them, and why he chose them to enhance this home’s energy efficiency.

Windows & doors

Nick started by insulating the areas around the window and door frames in the home using Loctite® Tite Foam Window & Door. This spray foam is formulated for low expansion and won’t bow the frame as gaps are being filled. It’s also flexible, allowing for seasonal movement of the surrounding wood without cracking.

Nick took a first pass at filling the cavity around the window using an even pressure on the trigger, then paused to allow the foam to expand. He then went back in for any remaining gaps until the entire cavity was filled. He let the foam dry overnight before coming back the next day to cut off any excess that may have entered the interior space of the home.

By filling the gaps around the window with spray foam, Nick gains R-value for the home. The R-value, or insulation value, is a number based on the type, thickness, and density of insulating materials in the home. The higher the R-value, the more energy efficient a home tends to be.

Basement joists

Next, Nick headed to the basement to handle a unique situation formed by the foundation of the home. The joists in the basement hung over the foundation, creating floor joists that passed the blocking and created gaps.

Nick went in with Loctite® Tite Foam Gaps & Cracks to seal the area using spray foam specially formulated for flexibility. He specifically chose this type of spray foam because it’s designed to bridge between dissimilar materials, like the foundation and mudsill in the basement. It’s important to check the materials you intend to seal and ensure your spray foam is formulated to span between them.

Attic joists

Finally, Nick ventured upstairs to seal the blocking in between rafters on the ventilated roof system his team had installed previously. The blocking acted as an air control layer separating the attic space from the baffle that would be installed later with the insulation to allow for fresh air movement.

However, the ventilated roof system was tightly controlled and could be easily disrupted by fresh air escaping through gaps and cracks around the blocking. Nick used Loctite® Tite Foam Gaps & Cracks to seal either side of the joist, allowing all fresh air to ride above the baffle.

Nick doesn’t just make using spray foam look easy - it is easy! You don’t have to be a professional to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Save money and resources by sealing up cracks around your windows, doors, foundation, and more with Loctite® Tite Foam.