“What does it cost?” is probably the most frequently asked question about spray foam. Many property owners have heard about the energy costs of spray foam and are interested to know what the cost of investment is for this premium building product. 

It is difficult to give a sq foot price to spray foam as different assemblies will require different R-values. For example, a flat or cathedral roofline requires R31 or roughly 5.6” of insulation whereas code requires only R20 for basement walls (3.7”). The higher the Rvalue, the higher the square foot cost. 



In addition to thickness, there is the issue of volume. If an entire house envelope is being sprayed versus a crawlspace, price per square foot will vary as there are discounts based on volume. Spray foam requires extensive set-up at your premises, so a small job will be subject to the same set-up costs as a large project. The costs are defrayed over a greater volume of square feet on a large project hence a lower cost per square foot versus a small job. 

Another factor in pricing spray foam insulation is the level of difficulty. A project that involves a 20’ interior roofline would require significant scaffolding or a special lift. Working from heights requires a higher skill level and is more costly to set up. It will also require more time to complete as it often involves moving platforms and/or lifts in order to reach the area to be sprayed. A basement, on the other hand, has a lower level of technical difficulty so the price per square foot would reflect this. 

Anytime a spray is done from the exterior expect the cost to be slightly higher. Environmental conditions such as wind and rain will require special set-up. In addition, weather can cause delays and job site shutdowns, which can drive prices up. Often times exterior sprays are coordinated with other trades such as roofers or siding contractors, so count on extra time for this arrangement.