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Is there a big insulation job coming up? Maybe you just finished a shed, or you’re finally finishing the basement, or maybe you’re building an entire house. Either way, you want to insulate that space, but what’s the best way to do it?
It is possible to rent a spray foam insulation machine, although availability in certain areas may limit the amount of time it is available for use. Unless you’re doing a large, one-time job, it may be better to hire a contractor or buy a kit to install spray foam insulation instead of renting a machine.
Let’s look at the options you have for your insulation work and the strengths and weaknesses of each. Then you should be able to make a decision based on the size and positioning of the job.
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Renting a device
When you have a really big job to do and don’t anticipate having to do insulation for a while, renting might be a good option for you. Renting a rig or kit gives you access to the tools you need just to the time you need, and the company you rent it from will often provide training in addition to the rental so you can be sure you know what you’re doing.
Of course, this requires that there is a rental service close enough to where you are doing your project that you can get the car there and back. It wouldn’t hurt to call your local hardware store and ask if they rent, but if they don’t, you’ll probably have to find a service online.
Some rental companies I found are The main packagewhich is based in San Juan Capistrano, California, and Spray foam solutionswhich is based in West, Texas.
Master Pack offers 2 days of on-site training in all contiguous US states, meaning you should be able to rent from them no matter what state you live in (apart from Alaska and Hawaii), although living in a higher stat might mean you’re further away from a location than you otherwise would be.
It’s unclear how far any of these companies will travel from their hubs, although Spray Foam Solutions does ask for a zip code on the rental contact form, suggesting they’ll at least reach outside their own zip code.
It’s worth noting that renting a rig or kit usually requires you to have a large area that needs insulation: at the least 4,000 tiles, although the most profitable application will be for 15,000 tiles and more. In the latter case, you can save up to 40% more than if you hired a contractor.
Hiring a Contractor
But maybe your work is less than that, or maybe you have more important things to do with your time. In either case, it may be in your best interest to hire a professional contractor.
Contractors usually charge a minimum of $500 to $700, compared to rentals or do-it-yourself kits you can find. The final quote will depend on either the isolated area or the time spent on the job.
This may surprise you to read, but depending on the size of the jobs, hiring a contractor can actually be cheaper than doing it yourself. Plus, they’re professionals who already know the ins and outs of what they’re doing, so getting them to do it could mean one or two less headaches for you.
Plus, contractors already have the equipment they need. They can do any size job and are equipped to do it in any weather. They also have all the necessary safety equipment to do the job safely.
Doing it yourself would mean making sure all conditions are good before you start: no wet surfaces where the insulation needs to go, and keeping all equipment or kit above 65°F at all times. Professional contractors, on the other hand, have their tanks heated to keep them running properly throughout the job, even in cold weather.
Speaking of their heated tanks, contractors are limited by how far they can get away from their trucks. If your containment job includes a place that might be hard for them to reach, they may not be physically able to reach it.
Buying a kit
For small, hard-to-reach jobs, buying a kit might be the way to go. Kits are also useful when you have more work to do or if you will be doing more insulation in the future.
Kits can cost anywhere from $400 to $800, so depending on the kit you find, it will be cheaper for a smaller job that you don’t want to pay more than $500 for a contractor to do. only do it once because you can use set again later or possibly find someone to buy it from you (though you might have a hard time finding a buyer).
You should be able to find a spray foam insulation kit at your local hardware store or online.
Although a smaller «200» foot kit might be more expensive, the larger kits have two heavy tanks that you have to carry around and because you have to install a new tip every time you stop spraying for more than 30 seconds , this can be difficult to manage if you are doing it yourself. If it’s a bigger job and you need a bigger kit, recruit a friend to help you.
Using a kit
If you choose to get a kit, make sure before doing the job that the temperatures you will be working in are above 65°F, as this is the minimum temperature the equipment will operate at.
Do not spray wet surfaces as the insulation will not stick. You can use a moisture meter to determine if surfaces are good to spray.
Spray the lifts first to avoid bulging: lifts should never be more than 2 inches thick. You can test the depth by poking it with a peg.
Make a plan of action so you don’t waste time wondering what to do after you’ve started, so you can avoid installing so many new tips. When installing new tips, be sure to lubricate the gun.
Wear protective equipment to protect your eyes, breathing and skin. Wear gloves and stick them to the sleeves of a hazmat suit as well as your nastiest shoes as this can get chemically messy. (Source)
Next steps
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