Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on how many square feet of surface get sprayed, not the floor area. HomeGuide puts a whole-house job at $8,000 to $20,000 and Fixr at $10,000 to $30,000. Many Albuquerque homes need foam in only part of the house, such as the roofline or the walls of an addition, which costs far less. We price your house after measuring it.

HomeGuide lists $1,500 to $5,000 for about 1,000 square feet, and Fixr lists $3,150 to $7,500 for an existing home. Closed-cell costs more than open-cell, and thicker foam costs more than thin. Your written estimate is the final number.

Mostly because of bad installs. Foam sprayed too thick in one pass, at the wrong temperature or with the wrong mix can smell and pull away from framing, and foam under a roof deck makes the wood harder to inspect. Some home inspectors and buyers ask more questions about it for that reason. Applied correctly and documented on the quote, it is a standard building material.

New Mexico's 2021 residential energy code sets R-49 for ceilings in climate zones 4 and 5, which covers the metro. For an existing attic, the Department of Energy recommends R-60 if it is empty or adding R-49 if it already has 3 to 4 inches. We measure what you have and quote what it takes to get there.

Open-cell costs less per inch and works well inside attic rooflines and wall cavities that are not exposed to moisture. Closed-cell gives more R-value per inch and resists vapor, so it suits metal buildings, tight cavities and rim joists. We name the foam for each area on the quote.

New Mexico Gas Company lists insulation rebates of up to $1,000 for an attic or roof and a crawlspace, plus up to $200 for air sealing. PNM ties insulation rebates to its Home Energy Checkup. Both programs change, so check their pages before you book.

Where space is limited, on steel, or where moisture is a concern, usually yes, because it holds more R-value per inch and resists vapor. Inside an attic roofline or an interior wall, open-cell often does the job for less. Where both would work, we price both.

No. It moves the insulation from the attic floor up to the roofline, so the attic stays much closer to indoor temperature. That helps most when ducts or an air handler sit in the attic.

HomeGuide recommends 24 hours or more while foam cures. For a detached garage or shop, the house may not be affected at all. We confirm timing for your job.

Yes, but attic work is scheduled early in the day. The foam and the surface both need to be within the manufacturer's temperature range, and a mid-afternoon attic can be too hot for crews and material.

HomeAdvisor says 20 to 50 years when it is installed correctly and recoated on schedule, with a new topcoat every 10 to 15 years. In strong sun the coating is what wears, so it is the maintenance item to plan for.

Often, if the existing roof is dry and firmly attached. Wet insulation, rotted decking or loose layers have to be removed first. We check before we recommend either route.

It adds insulation on top of the roof deck and a reflective coating, which cuts the heat that reaches the ceiling. How much you save depends on what was there before and on your cooling system, so we do not promise a number.

Yes, for normal maintenance such as servicing a rooftop cooler. Heavy or sharp loads can damage the coating, so we suggest walk pads where equipment is serviced often.

The state's 2021 Residential Energy Conservation Code, 14.7.6 NMAC, sets R-49 for ceilings in climate zones 4 and 5, changing the base 2021 IECC figure of R-60. It applies to new work; for an existing home, DOE recommends R-60 when an attic is empty.

It depends on the material, since cellulose and fiberglass have different R-values per inch. We write the target R-value and the settled depth on the quote and set depth markers so you can check.

Yes. A well-sealed, deeply insulated attic floor slows the heat moving from a hot attic into the rooms below. If ducts are in the attic, sealing them or moving the insulation to the roofline helps even more.

New Mexico Gas Company lists up to $1,000 for adding insulation to an attic or roof and crawlspace, plus up to $200 each for air sealing and duct sealing. PNM ties insulation rebates to its Home Energy Checkup. Check both before you book.

Usually yes for frame walls. We fill the cavities through small holes from inside or outside and patch them. Matching stucco texture and color exactly is not always possible, so we discuss which side to drill from.

Not by filling, because adobe is solid. Insulation for adobe goes on the outside, typically under new stucco. Most adobe homes gain more from roof and ceiling work, so we usually start there.

Foam seals around wires, boxes and plates, where batts often leave gaps, so the wall performs closer to its rated R-value. It costs more. In some walls, well-installed batts or dense-pack are the better value, and we will say so.

Yes. Filling a cavity cuts sound moving through it. Open-cell foam and dense-pack cellulose are both used for interior sound control.

Closed-cell foam applied to the steel keeps warm, moist air off the cold metal, which is what causes the drip. It works best with no gaps, so we cover laps and fasteners fully.

If summer heat is the main problem, a roof-only job gives the most benefit for the money. If you plan to heat or cool the space, walls should be done too.

It depends on whether you heat or cool the space and what R-value you want. Closed-cell reaches meaningful R-values in a couple of inches. We write the thickness on the quote.

Animals need to be out while foam is sprayed and while it cures. We set the schedule with you so they can move back once the building is ready.

Usually not. If the old layer is dry, clean and not blocking air sealing, new insulation can go on top. Removal is for wet, contaminated, failing or badly compressed material.

Do not disturb it. Have it tested. If it contains asbestos, a licensed abatement contractor has to remove it; we can insulate once that is done.

Many attics are emptied in a day, with sealing and new insulation the same day or the next. Large or very dirty attics take longer, and the quote gives a timeline.

It removes the nests and droppings. Keeping pests out means closing their entry points, which we point out; a pest control company handles trapping.