Company Information

Foam-It Spray Foam Insulation was established in 1995 and is licensed, bonded and insured. They are your one stop contractor for spray foam insulation services.

Dan Grady is the owner-operator of Foam-It Spray Foam Insulation and has 25+ years experience in the building industry. Dan and his trained technicians understand that your home is your most valued investment.

That’s why they take great care to provide high quality services using spray polyurethane foam products from industry leading manufacturers. The products they use are “environmentally friendly.” Also important, there are no volatile organic compounds - no formaldehyde - and no lead components or ozone-depleting material used in the product.



Call Dan today at 612-965-1838 for more information or to set up an appointment for an on-site inspection and quote.

What is Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)?

SPF is a seamless, cellular, premium plastic insulation. It has been widely used for three decades. Due to the rise of energy costs and sustainable building practices, SPF insulation has become a more important and commonly installed building component. It provides the benefits of being energy efficient, it’s a seamless barrier, improves air quality, controls moisture and condensation, adds structural integrity, etc. The benefits of SPF make it an affordable design option.

Benefits of Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation

You’ll Save Money - SPF has one of the highest “R-values.” An SPF insulated home, office building or warehouse will use less energy during its heating and cooling life-cycle. The typical return on investment is 3-5 years.

Eliminates Drafts - Energy Star? studies indicate that air leakage can account for 25-40% of the energy used to heat or cool a typical building. SPF may well be the only insulation that permanently seals walls, foundations, roofs and most importantly, the transitions between components. It conforms to unusual shapes and surfaces. This means there are no joints, voids or gaps for air to pass through with SPF.

Prevents Mold Growth - SPF offers superior performance in reducing moisture transmission and condensation and is not, itself, a food material for mold.

Add Structural Strength - Once applied, SPF stays in place, just as it was installed. Because it does not settle or sag it adds to construction rigidity. This reduces costly framing construction requirements.

Minimizes Sound - SPF has sound deadening properties and reduces the transfer of noise and sound penetration.

Environmentally Friendly - SPF lowers greenhouse gases throughout the life of the building. Also, many formulations contain some post consumer recycled content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all Spray Foam the same?
There are basically two types of SPF formulations, both use similar chemistry and share similar components - closed-cell foam, and open-cell foam. Closed -cell is rigid and structurally supportive and offers the highest insulation, or R-value, per inch. Closed-cell is also moisture resistant. Open-cell foam is soft, flexible, and more economical to install having a much greater material yield, but it has approximately half the R-value, inch for inch, as that of closed cell.

Does SPF meet building code requirements?
Yes, SPF applications can meet code requirements. Note - construction is a science. Installations vary; Building Code Officials have jurisdiction over projects and make the final acceptance decision. Various regions have different codes. A design professional (engineer or architect) should be consulted, or may be required, whenever a new project or major renovation occurs.

Is SPF safe? Is it flammable?
SPF can and does burn, as does most building materials. Codes require that SPF be protected from interior space by a thermal barrier. SPF sold in the residential market is ‘rated’ and should be Class 1 or Class 2, these tests rate products against a standard burn procedure with red oak. Most spray foams after a short time have lower flame spread than red oak, and may self-extinguish. Evaluate each product on its technical data and testing. See ASTM E 84 Testing Data for specific products.

Can I use it directly on the underside of the roof deck?
In this critical building area a highly efficient insulation is required because of space limitations, so SPF does work well. Venting is not always required per the SPFA. See SPFA Document AY-141.

Does SPF have odors?
During applications, like that when painting, odors are generated. However, with adequate venting they subside. When properly installed, the cured foam is inert and odorless.

Do R-values and effectiveness vary between insulation products?
Yes, spray foam is highly effective, because it resists the movement of air, which will occur in real life construction applications, air flow will lower the performance of other insulation materials. Common installation techniques can lessen the effective R-value of fiberglass by up to 28%. Oak Ridge national Laboratory, Fiberglass Batts - Labeled vs. Installed Performance.

Can we build using 2” x 4” construction methods?
Yes, but only with closed-cell SPF. NAHB, Testing and Adoption Spray Polyurethane Insulation for Wood Frame Building Construction; and simple calculation of required R-Values.

Will SPF at as a noise barrier?
SPF can and does reduce noise transfer and sound penetration.

Installation of vapor barriers?
In general, closed-cell SPF will form the equivalent of a vapor retarder in applications of approximately 2 inches and greater. Open-cell foam will not. Learning the Difference Between ½ lb. and 2 lb. Spray Foam, Mason Knowles.
Is there a need to use ‘house wrap’ if I use SPF insulation?
Because of the sealing properties and resistance to air penetration there is normally no need for house wrap products.

Does SPF control the growth of molds?
SPF offers superior performance in reducing moisture transmission and condensation. SPF itself is not a food material for mold. Closed-cell SPF is the only type of insulation classified as an “acceptable flood resistant materials” by FEMA. FEMA Technical Bulletin 2-93.

Does SPF insulation give off gases?
No, once the materials are mixed and cured the resulting insulation is a solid, inert material. This information is supported by much industry testing. Projects do require proper ventilation during, and immediately after application. The Journal of the American Medication Association, Vol. 245, No. 3.

How “Green” is this product?
The resulting SPF insulation product you are buying is the most efficient insulation available. It has been estimated that over 50% of the energy lost in small commercial and residential buildings is associated with the heat transfer and air leakage through building components. Your “better” insulation will continue to lower greenhouse gases throughout the life of the building. This long-term contribution is the most significant environmental contribution you can make by using SPF. Secondly, the SPF insulation components are formaldehyde and lead-free, contain no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), use zero-ozone depleting material and/or water as blowing agent, and many formulations contain some post consumer recycled content.
www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/air_leaks

Why not use fiberglass?
Improved insulation efficiency can develop a payback for the buyer of heating and cooling. Air infiltration and air movement rapidly lowers the effectiveness of fiberglass. Closed-cell SPF typically creates an effective air barrier at an minimum thickness of 1 to 2 inches. The Air Barrier Association of America.