Spray Foam Insulation Cost Calculator
Spray foam provides superior insulation and air sealing. Calculate costs for open or closed cell foam.
Spray foam insulation typically costs around $2,500 for an average project, or $1.50 to $3.00 per board foot. Open cell is cheaper, while closed cell offers higher R-value.
Calculate Your Estimate
Project Location
Choose which state the project is located.
Project Details
Define the scope of the insulation project.
Foam Type:
Additional Services:
Why Use Our Spray Foam Cost Calculator?
Spray foam insulation pricing is complex because it's sold by 'board foot' (volume) rather than just square footage. Our calculator handles this conversion for you. Whether you are insulating an attic, crawlspace, or pole barn, this tool helps you compare Open Cell vs. Closed Cell costs instantly so you can determine the best ROI for your energy efficiency project.
Manually Calculating Spray Foam Insulation Costs
To estimate manually:
- Calculate Board Feet: Area (sq. ft.) x Thickness (inches) = Board Feet.
- Identify Type: Open cell is sponge-like (cheaper); Closed cell is rigid and waterproof (expensive).
- Check Access: High roofs or tight crawlspaces typically incur surcharge.
- Fire Code: Exposed foam in living spaces often requires a fire-barrier coating.
Manual Calculation Formula:
Est. Cost = (Area_SqFt × Thickness_Inches) × Price_Per_Board_Foot
*Example: 1,000 sq.ft at 3 inches thick = 3,000 Board Feet.
@ $1.20/bd.ft (Open Cell) = $3,600 Total.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Spray Foam Calculator estimate cost?
The calculator computes the total board footage (Area × Thickness) and applies current regional pricing for either Open Cell or Closed Cell foam types.
What is the price difference between Open and Closed Cell?
Open Cell typically costs $0.44 to $0.65 per board foot, while Closed Cell ranges from $1.00 to $1.50 per board foot due to its higher density and moisture resistance.
What defines a 'board foot'?
A board foot is a unit of volume measurement representing one square foot of area with a thickness of one inch.
Is spray foam superior to fiberglass insulation?
Spray foam generally offers superior performance by sealing air leaks and providing a higher R-value per inch, though it comes at a significantly higher initial investment.
Is professional installation required?
While small DIY kits exist for minor touch-ups, whole-home encapsulation requires professional-grade equipment and safety gear to ensure proper mixing and curing.
Is there an odor during installation?
The application process produces chemical off-gassing. Industry standard safety protocols require the premises to be vacated for 24 hours during curing.
What is the R-value of spray foam?
Closed Cell foam offers a high R-value of approximately 6.0 per inch, whereas Open Cell foam averages around R-3.5 per inch.
Does spray foam attract pests?
Foam does not provide nutritional value to rodents or insects, though pests can chew through it. It is not considered a food source.
Does spray foam provide soundproofing?
Open Cell foam is highly effective at dampening sound transmission in walls. Closed Cell foam is denser and reflects sound rather than absorbing it.
How long does spray foam insulation last?
Spray foam is an inert polymer that does not settle or degrade over time, effectively lasting the lifetime of the building structure.