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Residential vs Commercial Insulation: Codes, Differences, & What To Know

Spray foam isn’t just something you pick up and do whatever you want with. There are a ton of rules, codes, and regulations that you need to follow when applying this revolutionary insulation material. You’ll definitely want to read up on these guidelines as there are different codes between residential and commercial installations.

Your spray foam experts at Foam Bear Tampa are here to lay it all out so you know exactly what’s going on when we secure your property with premium spray foam near you!

The Difference Between Residential and Commercial Spray Foam Insulation

There are countless discrepancies between residential and commercial spray foam applications. You might think that a building is a building, so what could possibly be different about the installation process? You wouldn’t compare your home to, say, a big retail store. You also wouldn’t compare an apartment complex to a factory. Buildings in Tampa come in all shapes and sizes and have very distinct uses, leading to distinct codes and regulations for spray foam insulation. It’s like having unique rules between vented and unvented attic insulation.

Who Determines Insulation Codes In Florida?

Architecture is a delicate subject. There are too many things to account for, and every rule is created with deliberate intent. As far as spray foam insulation in Tampa goes, there are many hands in the pot.

Some organizations that oversee insulation codes in Tampa include:

• The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
• The Department of Energy
• The International Code Council

These codes aren’t decided by just one group. Each organization has its specialty and ideas on how things should be. The Department of Energy offers guidelines on where insulation should be installed in a residential home, whereas the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation will have stricter rules for commercial properties in areas like Tampa.

Residential Spray Foam Insulation Codes

When you hire spray foam installers in Tampa, they will ensure compliance with residential insulation codes in Florida. Here are common examples of the types of spray foam insulation codes that they follow:

Section R316.3 indicates that loose-fill foam needs to be tested for flame spread, but there’s an exception for spray foam. In cases where spray foam is more than 4 inches thick, the flame spread index shall not exceed 25. For spray foam thickness under 4 inches, section R316.3.1 specifies that the flame spread index shall not exceed 75. There are also specific guidelines for smoke-developed indexes. None of this may make sense to you, and that’s perfectly fine. All the more reason to hire a professional for your home’s new spray foam insulation in Tampa!

Commercial Spray Foam Insulation Codes

Tampa’s commercial landscape is much more complex when it comes to spray foam insulation. And while following residential codes is still important, commercial codes are absolutely critical for public safety.

Section C402.5.1.2.1 mentions specific guidelines for each type of spray foam:

• Closed-cell spray foam should have a minimum density of 1.5 pcf and a minimum thickness of 38 mm.
• Open-cell spray foam shall have a density between 0.4 and 1.5 pcf and a minimum thickness of 4.5 inches.

Don’t put your business at risk by trying to navigate these codes yourself. Reach out to your trusted team of spray foam installers in Tampa to ensure building code compliance! Read more FAQs about spray foam insulation to get a better handle on what to expect when you make the upgrade.

Do It Right the First Time. Call Foam Bear Tampa For Expert Spray Foam Installation Near You!

When you hire Foam Bear Tampa for your spray foam insulation, you’re in good hands. Our team knows how to stay updated on current residential and commercial insulation codes so you don’t have to worry about it. Just sit back and take in all of the glorious benefits of premium spray foam insulation while we do the work! Call (407) 334-9327 to get started with a free estimate.

Is Spray Foam Insulation A Smart Long-Term Investment?

You want to take your time making the right investments for your home. Completely understandable. But how do you know you’re making smart choices? Spray foam can seem intimidating at first with a higher upfront cost compared to traditional insulation, but it can be one of the smartest decisions you can make with greater savings over time.

Learn more about making a smart long-term investment with premium spray foam insulation from Foam Bear Orlando!

Spray Foam Improves Energy Efficiency For Immediate and Long-Term Savings

You need to spend money to make money. That’s mostly said about businesses, but it applies here, too! Yes, you’ll be spending just a little more on spray foam, but it pays for itself over time in energy savings. That is what you call a smart investment.

Think about how much you spend on your electric bill. Most of that is going to HVAC usage, especially if you’re living in Orlando. Spray foam air-seals gaps to stop leaks and comes at a higher R-value than most traditional insulation materials. This curated ecosystem causes your HVAC to work less, thus saving you money on lower energy expenses.

Read more > Is Foam Insulation Worth The Cost? Our Energy Savings Guide

Save Even More On Spray Foam With Tax Credits and Rebates You don’t have to pay full price for your spray foam. Another way to be smart about your investment is by taking whatever deals are available to lower the cost, and it just so happens that the government offers tax incentives and rebates for new spray foam insulation! Contact your local spray foam experts in Orlando to learn more about what you may qualify for.

Spray Foam Can Reduce Maintenance Costs Over Time

Tired of sinking money into things that seemingly come up out of nowhere? And they always show up at the worst times, too. You finish paying off your car, and the engine goes out. You take a chunk off of your credit card debt, and your cat gets sick. It’s a vicious cycle that feels never-ending, but investing in spray foam can relieve you of a few pesky woes.

Homeowners in Orlando tend to see reduced maintenance costs after getting top-quality spray foam insulation:

• Zero mold or moisture damage
• Reduced pest, bug, and rodent activity
• Fewer HVAC and air conditioning repairs
• No more replacement insulation

Just like that, you just saved yourself hundreds of bucks by avoiding high maintenance and repair costs!

Spray Foam Lasts Much Longer Than Other Types of Insulation

A smart investment is one that you don’t have to make again. Whereas traditional insulation materials like fiberglass and cellulose require constant replacements, spray foam insulation can last 80+ years. It’ll be the last insulation you ever install in Orlando, and there’s nothing smarter than that.

Spray Foam Can Increase Your Property Value When You Sell In the Future

An investment is something that pays up at a later time. A smart investment is something that benefits you now and pays up later. Spray foam cuts down your energy usage the moment you have it installed, saving you money pretty much immediately. Spray foam also ups your property value, meaning that you can list your Orlando home at a higher price for having appealing benefits that other homeowners want. You can think of it as double-dipping on savings!

Make the Best Investment Yet For Your Florida Home With Foam Bear Orlando!

There’s no denying that spray foam is a smart long-term investment for your Orlando home. There are also a bunch of other perks to upgrading your insulation that make life at home even better. Read more FAQS about spray foam before reaching out to Foam Bear Orlando at (407) 334-9327 for top-notch spray foam insulation near you!