Retrofit Insulation Options – Insulate or Reinsulate your Existing Home

Unfinished Spaces

If you're insulating an unfinished space, Icynene spray foam insulation can be used in most areas. Examples include:

• Attics
• Basements
• Crawl spaces
• Under bonus rooms
• Walls

Finished Spaces

Finished spaces are more work, regardless of the type of insulation you're using.

• Within a cavity: In some cases, including some masonry/brick walls with cavities and timber framed walls, if there's no insulation in there already, it may be possible to pour the foam insulation into the wall. If there is existing insulation in the cavity, then it would need to be removed first. Check with your local spray foam contractor to see if this may be possible for your home. Note that if there isn't a cavity in your wall – for example, it's a solid wall – this won't be possible.
• Open a framed wall – if you have a timber frame wall, your builder may be able to remove the board on the inside, install spray foam insulation, and re-finish the wall. Note that a spray foam contractor will generally only install the insulation, so you would have to find another contractor to strip the wall and re-do the finishes. Check with your local spray foam contractor to see if this may be possible for your home.
• Apply over a finished wall: If you don't mind losing some space in your room, spray foam could be applied against new stud cavities on a finished wall or ceiling and a new finish applied on top of it. Note that a spray foam contractor will generally only install the insulation, so you would have to find another contractor to re-do the finishes and any other work required.

Using Spray Foam Is Not Possible In All Situations

It's not always possible to use spray foam insulation in all parts of a home retrofit. Here are some examples of where it can't be used:

• To fill walls that don't have a cavity
• If access for a spray foam rig and operator aren't possible

Check with your local spray foam contractor for advice about where spray foam can be used to insulate your existing home.

Which Spray Foam Insulation Type

For most residential applications such as in walls, attics, and in basements, light-density open cell spray foam is more commonly recommended and used. However, there are certain instances where closed cell insulation should be used. Learn more about open cell and closed cell insulation.

Insulating Your Addition

When you're building an addition, Icynene spray foam insulation can be used in most of the new parts of the construction, and also where the addition meets the existing building.

Light-density open cell spray foam is more commonly recommended and used. However, there are certain instances where closed cell insulation should be used. Learn more about open cell and closed cell insulation.

Insulating Your Custom Home

When you're building a new home, Icynene spray foam insulation can be used in most parts of the house.

Light-density open cell spray foam is more commonly recommended and used. However, there are certain instances where closed cell insulation should be used. Learn more about open cell and closed cell insulation.