Choosing a spray foam insulation contractor is a major decision. The performance and safety of the final product are entirely dependent on the skill and professionalism of the team doing the installation. To ensure you’re hiring a true expert, it’s important to go beyond the price and ask specific, technical questions that reveal a company’s level of knowledge and commitment to quality. A reputable professional will welcome these questions and be able to answer them with confidence and clarity.
This article will outline the six most important questions to ask any potential spray foam contractor in Raleigh. Their answers will give you a clear picture of their qualifications and help you make an informed choice for your home.
1 Are Your Installers Certified and How Do You Handle Training?
This is the single most important question you can ask. Spray foam is not a simple product; it’s a chemical reaction that happens on-site. The installer is essentially a chemical plant operator working in your home. They must be highly trained to manage the equipment and understand how variables like temperature and humidity affect the final product.
Look for a company whose installers are certified through a recognized third-party organization like the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA). Ask if their training is ongoing. The technology and best practices in the industry are always evolving, and a top-tier company will invest in continuous education for its team. A hesitant or vague answer to this question is a major red flag.
2 What Is Your Process for Preparing the Job Site and Ensuring Safety?
A professional’s commitment to safety is a direct reflection of their overall quality. The application of spray foam requires strict safety protocols to protect both the installers and the occupants of the building. Ask for a step-by-step explanation of their safety plan and who your point of contact will be. A thorough answer should include:
- Containment: How they will isolate the work area to prevent overspray and contain vapors.
- Ventilation: What kind of ventilation equipment they use to exhaust fumes from the work area during and after the application.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): They should confirm that their installers wear full-face, fresh-air-supplied respirators, along with full-body suits and gloves.
- Re-entry Time: They should provide a clear timeline for when it is safe for you and your family to re-enter the home (typically 24 hours after application is complete).
- Project Management: They should tell you who will be the project manager or main point of contact for your job, ensuring clear communication.
3 Do You Address Air Sealing Before You Insulate?
This question separates the true building performance experts from the basic insulators. In many retrofit jobs, especially in attics, there are numerous small air leaks in the ceiling plane that need to be sealed. While spray foam itself is an excellent air sealant, a top-quality job often involves a preliminary “cut and seal” step where a professional manually seals the largest gaps around pipes, wires, and fixtures before applying the main layer of insulation. A company that also offers a blower door test after the job is complete to verify the reduction in air leakage is one that is serious about building performance.
4 Which Type of Foam (Open-Cell or Closed-Cell) Do You Recommend and Why?
A true professional won’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. The choice between open-cell and closed-cell foam depends entirely on the specific application, the climate, and the homeowner’s goals. An expert should be able to walk you through the pros and cons of each for your project.
For example, in the mixed-humid climate of Raleigh, they might recommend:
- Open-cell foam for the underside of a roof deck to create a conditioned attic, because it allows the roof to “breathe” and dry out.
- Closed-cell foam for the walls of a crawl space, because it is waterproof and acts as a vapor barrier, protecting the home from ground moisture.
An installer who pushes only one type of foam for every situation may not have a full grasp of building science.
A Quick Comparison for Your Discussion
| Feature | Open-Cell Foam | Closed-Cell Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Sound dampening, conditioned attics, filling large cavities cost-effectively. | Moisture resistance, structural strength, applications where space is limited. |
| R-Value/Inch | ~R-3.8 | ~R-7.0 |
| Vapor Permeability | Permeable (lets vapor pass) | Impermeable (is a vapor barrier) |
| Key Question | “Is this the right choice to allow my roof assembly to dry?” | “Is a vapor barrier appropriate for this part of my house?” |
5 How Do You Ensure the Foam Cures Properly?
The quality of the final foam product depends on a successful chemical reaction. This reaction is sensitive to a number of variables that a professional must control. Asking about their quality control process shows a deeper understanding of the product. Their answer should touch on the brand of foam they use and why, in addition to:
- Equipment Calibration: Their proportioner machine must be precisely calibrated to mix the “A” side and “B” side chemicals at a perfect 1:1 ratio.
- Temperature Control: The machine heats the chemicals to a specific temperature (usually 120-140°F), and the hoses are heated to maintain that temperature all the way to the spray gun.
- Substrate Condition: They should confirm that they check the temperature and moisture content of the surface being sprayed to ensure it’s within the manufacturer’s specified range for proper adhesion and curing.
6 Are You Fully Licensed, Insured, and Do You Provide Detailed Quotes?
This may seem like a basic question, but it’s a critical final check of a contractor’s professionalism. A contractor should readily provide a certificate of insurance showing they carry both general liability and workers’ compensation coverage. You should also confirm they are licensed to do business in your municipality and ask about their warranties. A professional quote should clearly state the areas to be insulated, the type and thickness of foam, the calculated R-value, and the total cost. Vague or verbal quotes are a red flag. Finally, a contractor who has been doing quality work in the Raleigh area should have local references from satisfied customers.
Making a Confident and Informed Decision
Hiring a spray foam insulation contractor is a partnership. By asking these six key questions, you can move beyond the sales pitch and have a real conversation about quality, safety, and performance. A true professional will appreciate an informed customer and will have the answers that give you the confidence to move forward with a project that will benefit your home for a lifetime.
Talk to a Local Insulation Expert
When you feel ready to start the conversation, reaching out to a qualified local contractor is the next step. An experienced professional can answer all these questions and provide a detailed assessment of your home’s specific needs. The team at Raleigh Excel Spray Foam Insulation is committed to education and high-quality installations. They can be reached to schedule a consultation by email at info@raleighexcelsprayfoam.com or by phone at (919) 301-9435.
This article was reviewed for technical accuracy by William Harris, an industry expert with nearly a decade of experience in the spray foam insulation field.
