FAQs

Find answers to our most common questions

We love to educate our customers by answering their common questions.

Below are many answers to common questions accompanied by more detailed videos that our viewers and customers ask about our services in the industries we serve, such as spray foam insulation, concrete lifting, flat and low slope roofing, and thermal fire protection. If your question is not answered here, please contact us and we will be happy to direct you to the most appropriate expert in the field relating to your questions(s).  

Spray Foam Insulation FAQ's

Can spray foam insulation be poured or injected into walls?

No, it cannot. There are other products on the market that can be poured in, but your wall cavity would have to be completely clear of any debris or types of insulation to work. To get the best result, the wall cavity would have to be opened up (ie, drywall completely removed, or have the siding and sheeting removed from the exterior) and spray foam insulation applied. Beyond Insulation has insulated many successful retro-fit projects with character homes and renovation jobs. Some of these projects have been tested for energy rebates from our government, resulting in cash back to the owner.

How much does spray foam insulation cost?

With all the government rebates, and energy saving, spray foam insulation does not cost as much as one would think. The only way to determine the exact cost will be to have an on site visit by the staff at Beyond Insulation. During this time we would be able to discuss the right type of foam, proper r-value and deliver a quote that will suit your needs.

How long has polyurethane been around?

During WWII, spray foam was used to strengthen the wings of air planes. It was discovered that another use was its incredible insulation properties and 1985 it became an approved product to be used in residential homes as insulation according to the building code. With energy costs being where they are, it is the economical and environmental way to insulate your Calgary home. It will improve your home’s energy efficiency, and reduce your ecological footprint.

How long will the foam last?

It will last an extremely long time. Correctly installed and not altered after installation, the foam will last the life of your building. Polyurethane foam insulation adheres extremely well to virtually all substrates. With this, and its ability to dry rigid, spray foam insulation will outperform all other types of insulation. It also is able to flex and move with your building.

Will the installed spray foam insulation come loose and pull away from the wall or studs?

Beyond Insulation takes great care in doing our onsite testing to ensure that this does not happen. If by chance it does, Beyond Foam and BASF both have a warranty program that protects the customer from malfunction in the foam. However, foam is made to stick, and stick incredibly well to clean and dry substrates. Urethane is one of the best construction adhesives known.

Can I install spray foam insulation myself?

It is highly not recommended, as it takes a full rig of sophisticated equipment, as well as training and experience to install spray foam insulation. Chemical companies will not sell individuals the supplies unless they have gone through rigorous training. The chances are too high of an unqualified individual incorrectly applying the foam insulation – Spray foam insulation cannot do its job of insulating if there is improper chemical mixture, if there are any gaps, holes or pull-aways in the application – something a professional would prevent.

How many uses are there for spray foam insulation?

The different types of foam (1/2lb and 2lb) have different characteristics and on your site visit we will help determine the best product for your project. We can spray anything from house walls to bonus room floors, complete shops to the back of your cube van. We have sprayed tanks, underground waterlines and the belly of hot tubs. Pretty much anything can benefit from spray foam.

 

Will polyurethane foam burn?

Polyurethane foam insulation is listed as a combustible insulation under the building code. The foam does have a fire retardant in it, which means it will not support a flame. If you pull the source of flame from it, it will stop burning. Building code requires a thermal barrier to be put over all foam insulation (½” drywall meets the thermal barrier standards).

Is a foundation installed spray foam insulation system the same as ICF (Insulated Concrete Form)?

It is in many ways, yes. The difference is that spray foam costs less and takes up less space inside your home – giving you more living space. For these are two great reasons, we feel you should consider looking at spray foam insulation in your basement walls as opposed to ICF. It will also allow you to design a more detailed and custom home if you like. Conventional cribbing methods make it easier to have different elevations and details to the design of your walls.

At what stage is spray foam insulation installed on a new build home?

No, it cannot. There are other products on the market that can be poured in, but your wall cavity would have to be completely clear of any debris or types of insulation to work. To get the best result, the wall cavity would have to be opened up (ie, drywall completely removed, or have the siding and sheeting removed from the exterior) and spray foam insulation applied. Beyond Insulation has insulated many successful retro-fit projects with character homes and renovation jobs. Some of these projects have been tested for energy rebates from our government, resulting in cash back to the owner.

 

Can basement concrete walls be spray foam insulated?

Yes you can. We also recommend that before you backfill, in new home construction, to spray the outside of your concrete. Concrete holds a temperature- when it gets cold, it stays cold for a long time. If you can stop that cold from getting in your house it will stay more comfortable, which in turn saves you money on heating costs. If it is too late for the outside spraying, inside will work as well. We have many testimonials of sprayed basements in Calgary where the client has an immediate change in the comfort of their homes and a reduction in heating bills.

Is spray foam insulation safe?

There are no detectable VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). No CFC’s (Chloro Fluoro Carbons) or HCFC’s (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons) in any of BASF’s foam products.

The two chemicals, when mixed at a high temperature, do atomize-which does off-gas and requires venting. As soon as those off-gasses leave the room, the foam is completely safe. This can take between 1-24 hours depending on the project. During our on site visit we will go over our safety policy and procedures with you and determine how your project can be done as safely as possible.

Can spray foam insulation be used to insulate the crawl space under my home?

Yes, spray foam is the best solution for insulating your crawl space. There are a number of ways to stop this damp, cold area from making the rest of your home uncomfortable.  After an free expert evaluation of the site, we will be better to determine what the best course of action is to solve your crawl space issues. We have had great success insulating this area using the “fishbowl” technique. This is where we insulate the walls, AND the ground, leaving warm air above the insulation to ensure your feet stay warm, also creating a more efficient home.  Other effective applications are to spray up to the underside of the floor, or spray the exterior crawl space walls.  

 

Is spray foam insulation environmentally friendly?

Yes, spray foam developers are constantly improving its formula to include more renewable resources and recycled materials. Furthermore, installed spray foam insulation, drastically reduces environmental pressures with the low energy requirements for maintaining comfortable building temperatures. Subsequently, the combination of these two factors, spray foam insulation provides an amazing environmentally friendly product. 
 

 

What is an attic hybrid insulation system?

Simply speaking, it is a combination of spray foam insulation applied to your joists and blown-in attic loose fill over top. In previously constructed homes we would remove the existing loose fill, then spray 2″-3″ of 2lb closed cell foam on the back side of the ceiling drywall and joists. Following that, we add up to R40 in a loose fill blown-in product. The spray foam creates the air tight seal and the loose fill provides economic R value. The results of this system leaves you with a healthly, air tight attic.

Concrete Lifting FAQ's

What is polyurethane lifting foam?

Polyurethane lifting foam is a 2 part product that when mixed with heat and presure expand on contact. The isocyanate and the poly resin mix as it exits the spray gun creating a reaction. This reaction causes it to expand into the shape it hits and turn hard very quickly. This expansion will push against the earth below and the concrete above which has the strength to lift the concrete slab back in place, while creating a new and very strong support foundation for many years to come.

How long will my driveway lift take to install?

Each job is different so this answer will be in very general terms.  A typical 2 car garage driveway that has dropped a couple of inches will take less than half a day.  Some are trickier, some are easier but 4-6 hours is a good average time. But remember, you can drive on it within 15 minutes of the install! 

 

How strong is polyurethane lifting foam?

Polyurethane has 9X the strength required to hold up your concrete pad when compared to typical sub-soil. Sub-soil, or typical ground needs to be tamped to a minimum of 3psi to hold up your concrete pad and lifting foam is 27psi.

 

Is polyurethane lifting foam better than traditional mudjacking?

We like foam over mud (grout) for a few reasons. 1) it weighs approx. 2.5% the weight of mud. When you already have poor subsoil compaction, why would you want to add more weight? 2) the only thing that breaks down polyurethane foam is UV light, which it will never see since it is all underground. With mud jacking, if/when water hits it, it will erode over time, as it is a sand-based material and the pad to re-settle over time. 3) the finished product looks nicer. With Mud Jacking the average core hole is the size of a pop can, while lifting foam the hole is the size of a dime.

How long will polyurethane lifting foam last?

Polyurethane lifting foam will last for an extremely long time due to the fact that only UV light will break it down.  It will last pretty much forever if protected from the sun.

Roofing FAQ's

Will I need to tear off my existing flat roof to repair it? 

This totally depends on the system you have installed right now and what type of shape it is in. The only way to be sure is to have a free, onsite evaluation by one of our roofing experts so we can come up with a personal solution to your building envelope problem.

How long will a spray foam roof last?

Our roofing foam system will last the life of the building as long as the protective UV coating is maintained. Talk to your estimator how is a roofing expert to get more details on how we can ensure a long life for your next roof system.

What types of roof systems does Beyond Roofing do?

At Beyond Roofing, we provide various types of roofing systems, from Flat residential roofing and Low-slope residential roofing to Foam Commercial Roofing (also known as SPFRS) and Torch On (also known as SBS) as well as both residential roof repairs and commercial repair services. For more information, head to our Roofing Website: https://beyondroofing.ca/

What is the warranty on a new spray foam roof with Beyond Roofing?

Thermal FAQ's

What is firestopping?

Firestopping is the process of sealing or blocking gaps and openings in walls, floors, and ceilings to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and toxic gases between different parts of a building. Firestopping is achieved through the use of specialized materials, such as fire-resistant sealants, putties, mortars, and insulation, which are installed around penetrations and joints, such as pipes, cables, ducts, and vents. The goal of firestopping is to maintain the integrity of the fire-rated walls and floors, which are designed to resist the passage of fire and provide safe egress for occupants.

What is fireproofing?

Fireproofing, is the process of applying a coating or a barrier to a structural element, such as a steel beam, column, or deck, to increase its resistance to fire and heat. Fireproofing materials can be either passive or active, meaning that they can either absorb or release water, intumesce, or chemically react to prevent the temperature of the protected element from rising above a certain level during a fire. The goal of fireproofing is to delay or prevent the collapse of the structure, which can endanger the lives of occupants and impede the efforts of firefighters.

What is sound insulation?

Sound insulation or Acoustical Insulation refers to sound ratings preventing sound to transfer to adjacent spaces. This is important for gyms, conference rooms, or schools. When you get an echo in a classrom, you’ll know why you should have insulated.

In a typical residential new construction we would come in after all HVAC, Plumbing and Gas, and Electrical inspections have passed. Each job is treated on an individual basis with Beyond Foam, and an on site visit is often required.

It is in many ways, yes. The difference is that spray foam costs less and takes up less space inside your home – giving you more living space. For these are two great reasons, we feel you should consider looking at Beyond Foam as opposed to ICF. It will also allow you to design a more detailed and custom home if you like. Conventional cribbing methods make it easier to have different elevations and details to the design of your walls.

Yes you can. We also recommend that before you back fill, in new home construction, to spray the outside of your concrete. Concrete holds a temperature- when it gets cold, it stays cold for a long time. If you can stop that cold from getting in your house it will stay more comfortable, which in turn saves you money on heating costs. If it is too late for the outside spraying, inside will work as well. We have many testimonials of sprayed basements in Calgary where the client has an immediate change in the comfort of their homes and a reduction in heating bills.

Insects and rodents do not like our foam and we have found it to be a great barrier for stopping them from entering. Spray foam insulation stops the warm air from coming out (which rodents feel and like to move towards in seeking new shelters) as well as the attractive smell of food. We have sprayed the bottom of RV units and houses with rodent problems and achieved great results.

There are no detectable VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), no CFCs (Chloro Fluoro Carbons) or HCFCs (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons) in any of BASF’s foam products. The two chemicals, when mixed at a high temperature, do atomize-which does off-gas and requires venting. As soon as those off-gasses leave the room, the foam is completely safe. This can take between 1-24 hours depending on the project. During our on site visit we will go over our safety policy and procedures with you and determine how your project can be done safely.

Polyurethane foam insulation is listed as a combustible insulation under the building code. The foam does have a fire retardant in it, which means it will not support a flame. If you pull the source of flame from it, it will stop burning. Building code requires a thermal barrier to be put over all foam insulation (½” drywall meets the thermal barrier standards).

Author: Kevin Boschee