Spray Foam Insulation in Lubbock, TX

Spray foam insulation goes on as a liquid, swells to fill every crack and cures in place, so it insulates and air seals in a single pass. That double job is why it suits Lubbock, where the wind averages 12.4 mph and an attic can sit far above the outdoor temperature on a July afternoon. Before we price anything, we decide which of the two foams fits each part of the building.

Open cell vs closed cell

Open-cell foam is spongy and light. It expands many times its liquid volume, fills irregular cavities around wiring and framing, and blocks air movement and sound. HomeGuide puts it at R-3.5 to R-3.7 per inch, and it is the lower-cost option per square foot. Water vapor can pass through it, which is usually fine in a dry climate as long as there is no leak feeding it water.

Closed-cell foam is hard and dense. HomeGuide rates it at R-5 to R-7 per inch, so it reaches a given R-value in less depth. It slows vapor, resists water and stiffens the surface it bonds to. It costs more per square foot, and it is the foam we use on steel buildings, in thin cavities, and anywhere condensation on a cold surface is the problem.

Where we use foam in a South Plains house

The most common foam job in Lubbock homes is the underside of the roof deck. When the air handler and ducts are in the attic, foaming the roofline and gable walls pulls that equipment inside the insulated shell, so it is no longer working in attic heat. Open-cell foam is the usual choice there, sprayed to the depth the target R-value calls for.

We also foam exterior wall cavities in additions and remodels, cathedral and vaulted ceilings with no attic above them, bonus rooms over garages, and the knee walls and floors around upstairs rooms. In new construction we spray open stud bays before drywall.

What the code numbers mean for foam depth

The City of Lubbock's 2024 energy code ordinance lists R-38 for ceilings and R-13 for wood-frame walls in new work. At R-3.5 to R-3.7 per inch, open-cell needs roughly 10 inches or more to approach R-38, while a 2x4 wall cavity filled with open-cell lands well above R-13. Closed-cell reaches high R-values in fewer inches, which matters in rafters and shallow framing. We write the planned thickness and the resulting R-value on every quote so you can compare bids on equal terms.

What spray foam will not fix

Foam is not a roof. If shingles, flashing or a pipe are leaking, that has to be repaired first or the foam will hide wet wood. Foam is also not always the cheapest way to insulate a wide attic floor; sealing the leaks and blowing in cellulose or fiberglass to depth often costs less. And we do not cover old wiring, damaged framing or suspect materials until they have been checked.

Prep, spraying and getting back in

Spraying is quick; prep takes longer. We cover floors and belongings, mask outlets and windows, and ventilate the space. HomeGuide advises staying out for 24 hours or more while the foam cures. For a detached shop the household may not need to leave at all. Once cured, foam does not settle, so the depth we leave is the depth you keep.

Tell us which spaces you are thinking about and what bothers you: a hot room, high bills, dust or dripping steel. We will look, explain where foam pays and where it does not, and send a written price. Get a free estimate