Spray Foam Insulation – Pros and Cons
Spray foam insulation is one of the most talked-about features in modern homebuilding.
If you’re shopping for a new home in Alabama, you’ve probably heard about the benefits of spray foam: energy savings, cleaner air, and a more comfortable home year-round. But is it really worth it? We’re breaking down the pros and cons of spray foam insulation, explaining how it stacks up to traditional options like fiberglass, and sharing why Stone Martin Builders has been using it for nearly two decades.
Let’s start with the basics: what spray foam actually is — and how it works.
What Is Spray Foam Insulation and How Does It Work?
At its core, spray foam insulation is exactly what it sounds like — a liquid material that's sprayed into place, where it quickly expands into a thick, durable foam. It’s a game-changer for sealing up all the little cracks, gaps, and crevices where air usually sneaks in or out of a home.
There are two main types of spray foam insulation you’ll hear about: open-cell and closed-cell.
Open-cell foam is lighter, softer, and a little more flexible. It’s fantastic for conditioned spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens because it creates an airtight seal and adds soundproofing benefits.
Closed-cell foam is denser and waterproof. It’s used in areas like crawl spaces where moisture protection and extra structural strength are major priorities.
After all the plumbing, wiring, and HVAC systems are in and approved, our certified spray foam team gets to work. They use a two-part chemical mixture that sprays on as a liquid, then rapidly expands and hardens into a powerful insulating layer. It’s fast, clean, and sets the stage for an incredibly efficient home.
Key Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation
It’s one thing to say that spray foam is "better" — but let’s get specific about why homeowners (and builders like us) are such big fans. Here’s where spray foam really shines:
Energy Efficiency & Air Sealing
Spray foam doesn’t just sit between your walls like traditional insulation. It expands to fill every tiny crack, gap, and hard-to-reach corner, creating a nearly airtight seal. That means no more drafts sneaking in around windows, pipes, or outlets — and a big reduction in the amount of energy your HVAC system needs to keep your home comfortable.
We use spray foam because it helps our homes meet and exceed the latest International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC) that jurisdictions across the country are adopting. It's not just about meeting the standard — it’s about building better homes for our customers.
Lower Energy Bills & HVAC Optimization
Because your home stays at a more consistent temperature, your heating and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard — and you’ll see that reflected in your monthly utility bills. On average, homeowners can expect to save between 40–60% on energy costs compared to a traditionally insulated home. Plus, since spray foam reduces the heating and cooling load, it can also allow for a smaller (and less expensive) HVAC system upfront.
Comfort, Soundproofing & Moisture Control
One of the less obvious — but highly appreciated — benefits of spray foam is how much it boosts the overall comfort inside your home.
Temperature stability: No more hot or cold spots between rooms or levels.
Noise reduction: Open-cell foam in particular acts like a sound barrier, helping block out outdoor noise and even room-to-room echoes.
Moisture management: Closed-cell spray foam works as a vapor barrier, helping prevent moisture intrusion — especially important in crawl spaces where dampness can become a problem.
The bottom line? Spray foam insulation doesn’t just make your home more efficient — it makes it more comfortable, quieter, and healthier to live in.
Where Spray Foam Works Best in a Home
One of the best things about spray foam insulation is how versatile it is — but if you're wondering where it truly makes the biggest difference, there are a few key areas we always recommend prioritizing.
1. Attics: The #1 Zone for Energy Loss
If you only insulate one part of your home with spray foam, make it the attic. Why? Because of something called the stack effect. Warm air rises and escapes through the top of your house, pulling in cooler outside air through the lower parts. This creates drafts and uneven temperatures throughout the home.
Spraying foam in the attic puts a stop to all that. It seals the top of your home like a lid, keeping the air you’ve already paid to heat or cool right where it belongs. This not only boosts comfort but also reduces the strain on your HVAC system — especially during the hottest or coldest months of the year.
2. Crawl Spaces: Defend Against Moisture and Air Intrusion
Your crawl space may be out of sight, but it plays a major role in your home’s overall efficiency and health. That’s why we use closed-cell spray foam in these areas. It’s waterproof, rigid, and acts as a vapor barrier — exactly what you want when it comes to keeping moisture, humidity, and even pests out of your home.
3. Walls: Quiet, Comfortable, and Consistent
Spraying open-cell foam in the walls of your living spaces adds an extra layer of comfort and noise control. You’ll notice fewer outside sounds, more consistent temperatures between rooms, and an overall more peaceful environment.
At Stone Martin Builders, we carefully match open-cell or closed-cell foam to each part of the home depending on what that space needs — whether it’s temperature control, moisture protection, or both.
Cost vs. Value: Is It Worth It?
Let’s be honest — when people first hear about spray foam insulation, the initial cost can be a bit of a surprise. On average, open-cell spray foam costs about 40% more to install than traditional fiberglass insulation. So the big question becomes: Is it really worth it in the long run?
In most cases, the answer is a solid yes. Here’s why.
Think Long-Term, Not Just Upfront
That higher installation cost comes with major benefits:
Lower monthly energy bills
A tighter, more energy-efficient home
Smaller HVAC system needed, which saves money on equipment and installation
In many cases, the extra cost of spray foam ends up being offset during the build, especially when you factor in the reduced HVAC requirements. And once you're living in the home, you'll likely start to notice savings right away.
Real ROI: 3–5 Years
Most homeowners see a full return on their investment in spray foam within three to five years, depending on lifestyle and energy usage. After that, the monthly energy savings just keep adding up — year after year.
So while spray foam may cost more up front, it’s not just insulation — it’s a performance upgrade for your entire home.
Common Misconceptions & Potential Drawbacks
Like any building material, spray foam insulation comes with a lot of opinions — and not all of them are accurate. Let’s clear the air on a few common myths and talk honestly about what you really need to watch for.
Myth #1: “Spray foam is dangerous.”
Not true — at least, not when it’s installed correctly. Our spray foam technicians are professionally certified through the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), and we follow strict safety guidelines from start to finish. Once spray foam is fully cured (which happens quickly), it’s completely safe and inert — no off-gassing, no harmful fumes.
Myth #2: “It voids warranties or attracts termites.”
We hear this one occasionally, but here’s the truth:
Spray foam won’t void any manufacturer warranties when installed properly.
Termites don’t eat spray foam, and it doesn’t create a food source or breeding ground for them. As with any home, proper pest control and regular treatment are key — foam or no foam.
The Real Drawback? Damage After the Fact
Here’s one potential downside to be aware of: if someone removes spray foam (say, a contractor running new wires in your attic) and doesn’t reseal the area, it can compromise your home’s thermal envelope.
That’s why we always recommend homeowners do a quick check after any work is done in the attic to make sure your insulation is still intact.
The bottom line? The only real con is not choosing spray foam, especially when your goal is a comfortable, energy-efficient home that lasts.
Installation Process & Homeowner Maintenance Tips
One of the big perks of spray foam insulation? Once it’s in, there’s very little you ever have to think about. But understanding how it’s installed — and how to protect it — can give homeowners even more peace of mind.
How Spray Foam Is Installed in a New Home
At Stone Martin Builders, spray foam is applied at just the right stage in our construction timeline:
All the plumbing, wiring, and HVAC systems are installed
City or county inspectors have signed off
Then, our certified insulation team steps in
We use a two-part chemical process. The materials are pumped through heated hoses and mix at the spray gun’s tip, coming out as a liquid that expands rapidly into foam. It fills every nook and cranny — especially the ones traditional insulation can’t reach. The whole spray foam process usually takes a couple of days, depending on the size of the home, and once it's done, we move right into drywall.
Simple Maintenance, Lifelong Comfort
Spray foam doesn’t degrade, shift, or settle over time like other insulation materials. That said, there’s one simple thing we always encourage homeowners to do:
After any work in your attic or crawl space, take a quick look.
Contractors running cables or installing systems sometimes remove spray foam without realizing they’ve disrupted the building envelope. If foam gets pulled out and isn’t replaced, it can reduce your home’s efficiency and increase your energy bills.
Aside from that? There’s no maintenance checklist, no reapplications needed, and no worrying about wear and tear. Just cool, clean air and steady energy savings.
Why Stone Martin Builders Trusts Spray Foam Insulation
At Stone Martin Builders, we’ve used spray foam insulation for nearly 20 years, long before it became an industry standard, because it helps us deliver homes that are healthier, more comfortable, and better performing for Alabama families.
If you’re wondering whether spray foam is worth it, here’s the truth: We’ve never had a homeowner ask us to take it out. Instead, they tell us how much more comfortable, quiet, and affordable their homes are month after month.
Choosing the right insulation is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, especially here in Alabama, where heat, humidity, and energy costs matter. At Stone Martin Builders, we’re proud to create homes that perform better from Auburn to Montgomery and everywhere in between.
Ready to take the next step?
Explore our energy-efficient homes in Alabama or contact our team to see how we’re building smarter, healthier homes with spray foam insulation leading the way.