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How Long Does Spray Foam Insulation Take To Cure?

Curing is a vital step in the spray foam installation process that can’t be skipped. Since it’s a phase that you can’t avoid, you can expect to add a bit of time to your overall spray foam experience. But how much time are we talking? We’ve been doing this for quite some time, so you can trust your local experts at Foam Bear Orlando for accurate advice on what to expect after you give us a call about new spray foam insulation!

Spray Foam Can Take a Full Day to Cure

While the spray foam application process only takes a matter of minutes to spread over your property, it’s the other steps that can take a little more time out of the day. First, the foam needs to become tack-free which can take up to an hour. It’s wise not to rush this step because wet insulation is never a good thing. After that, the spray foam begins the curing process. Spray foam can take anywhere from 8 hours to an entire day to fully cure, so this step requires a lot of patience. But of course, the exact timeframes may differ between properties of various sizes.

What else can affect the curing process of spray foam application? Here are a few main factors to consider:

  • Whether the room is dry or humid. If your space is too humid, the moisture in the air can affect how well spray foam sticks to the surface of the structure it’s being applied to. Spray foam cures better in a dry room free of moisture.
  • The thickness of the foam. Open-cell foam expands larger, but closed-cell foam is denser. Depending on the type of foam being used, you may have different experiences in the curing process.
  • Whether or not the room is properly ventilated. Spray foam may take a while to cure in stuffy rooms with no ventilation. Just like drying paint, having decent airflow can help spray foam cure faster.

Keep in mind that these estimates don’t even account for old insulation removal if that’s also a part of your service plan. The good news is removing insulation doesn’t take that long when you hire a professional who knows what they’re doing and has access to the right tools like high-powered vacuums.

You’re Not Done After the Curing Process

It’s best not to jump the gun and go back to living in your home before the curing process has finished. While spray foam cures, it goes through a phase that we call off-gassing. Spray foam releases organic compounds soon after it has been sprayed, so you may need an entire day before re-entering your home (at the very least). There may be some situations where you will be asked to wait up to 72 hours for re-entry, so it’s a good idea to get an accurate time frame from your professional and plan accordingly.

Learn more about reoccupancy in our article > Can I Be Home While Having Spray Foam Installed?

Be Well Prepared For Spray Foam Installation

What have we learned about spray foam application in this article? Take a look at this rundown of our key points:

  • You could be waiting up to 3 days for a complete spray foam installation.
  • Spray foam cures faster in the right environment.
  • Reoccupancy time factors in removal, application, curing, and off-gassing.
  • Make sure you plan for a place to stay while professionals are working on your home.

You’re In Good Hands at Foam Bear Orlando!

Call Foam Bear Orlando today at (727) 580-1090 for everything you need to know about spray foam installation. We’ll educate you on the curing process and what to expect for the best experience in upgrading your home insulation. Ask us for a free estimate on your next service!