Spray Foam Roof Insulation Problems & Solutions

Spray foam insulation - normally made from polyurethane - is a synthetic expanding foam that boasts a remarkable thermal performance. More effective than most other home insulation materials on the market, spray foam creates an impenetrable airtight seal in your roof that can significantly improve your home's heat retention, energy bill savings, and even carbon footprint.

However, there are plenty of foam roof insulation problems that need to be addressed too. Spray foam is a synthetic pollutant with problems and drawbacks that are important to consider when making your decision. This ultimate GreenMatch UK guide will give you everything you need to know about spray foam roof insulation problems, as well as how to avoid them.

Ready to insulate your roof? Let GreenMatch UK be your one-stop solution! By filling out our 30-second online form, you can receive up to 3 free home-tailored quotes directly from our network of pre-vetted installers. No charges or obligations apply. Simply click below to begin!

Despite the remarkable thermal efficiency that polyurethane spray foam provides, the insulation material is not without healthy criticism. From health concerns to property damage, we’ve compiled the key spray foam insulation roof problems. Let’s take a look at what to expect:

Spray foam is very expensive to install, and can only be done by a professional. Not only is the material cost per m2 higher than most other insulation on roof materials, but the installation process requires industry-specific application tools, protective gear, and a licensed installer, all of which contribute to its hefty price tag.

If an expensive installation seemed worrisome, the cost of removing spray foam insulation is actually even higher. Due to its highly robust nature, the removal of this pitched roof insulation requires installers to first cut large chunks away, and then proceed to meticulously remove the rest by hand alone.

This complex and labour-intensive process can take up to a week or more, racking up serious removal costs in comparison to other insulation methods.

Polyurethane (PU) spray foam is a synthetic material that cannot be discarded or recycled in any safe manner. It is non-biodegradable, the production creates off-gassing of harmful chemicals, and the installation risks further off-gassing that can damage our environment and even our personal health.

Gases let off by spray foam installation are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are known to cause respiratory issues and exasperate other illnesses.

The ability of spray foam to create a truly airtight seal is great when keeping heat in, but unfortunately, it’s also great at keeping moisture in. A full seal leaves no room for healthy air circulation, quickly putting your home’s structural integrity at risk of condensation, mould and rot.

This in turn is equally damaging to your health, increasing the risk of respiratory discomfort and illnesses.

Spray foam insulation is incredibly durable, which may sound like a great thing until it comes to the removal of the material. Its ability to fill gaps with a complete seal and bond to the rafters and joists of your roof space makes it difficult to remove without damaging your roof structure.

While the risk is lower in insulation for flat roof purposes, the process still requires meticulous hand removal by professionals to ensure the roof structure does not accrue any damage in the process.

Due to the risk of roof damage and the complex removal process associated with spray foam insulation, many mortgage lenders and equity forms are unwilling to lend to properties that have spray foam roof insulation in place. 

These properties are also valued lower in house markets sometimes, as prospective homeowners do not want to deal with the expensive and laborious process of removing spray foam roof insulation in the future.

Knowing about these roof foam insulation problems beforehand can help you in guiding your decision. It’s best advised to work with a professional installer who can ensure you make the best choices for your home. Let GreenMatch UK set you up!

By spending just 30 seconds filling out our online form, you can receive up to 3 free home-tailored quotes from our nationwide network of trusted installers. No charges or obligations apply. Simply click below to begin!

While a lot of these problems may seem daunting, there are several proactive steps you can take to minimise or even eliminate the risk of running into such insulation foam nightmares.

Here’s a breakdown of the top preemptive steps you can take to ensure your spray foam roof insulation does not become a financial burden down the road:

By following these key steps, you can create the best-case scenario for your spray foam roof insulation job, ensuring decades of home comfort, energy bill savings, and carbon reductions while avoiding burdensome repair and removal costs.

With all things considered, spray foam remains a popular and highly effective roof insulation material. Whether it is worth it or not is a question of personal preferences. 

On the one hand, if installed properly, spray foam insulation provides some of the highest thermal retention than most other insulation materials. It’s also extremely robust as well as mould, moisture and flame resistant.

On the other hand, polyurethane spray foam is an environmental nightmare, being one of the most unsustainable and unrecyclable materials. Its production and installation also risk the off-gassing of harmful VOCs that are detrimental to your health and the environment.

To make the right call, it's best to hire a professional installer who can guide you. However, finding the right professional at the right price is often a daunting task that sees endless hours of research and vetting. Luckily, GreenMatch UK can free you of this burden and help you find the best roof insulation in the UK.

By simply spending 30 seconds to fill out our online form, you can receive up to 3 free home-tailored quotes straight from our network of pre-vetted professionals. The best part? Our services are completely free of charge. Click below to begin!