Spray Foam Insulation: Should you use it?

With the cost of living and energy bills increasing, this has been the first winter where it’s shown how hard hitting the impact is. With many struggling to heat their homes, reducing heat loss with improved insulation is high on the agenda.

For most this tends to be through the loft, with people thinking about quick fixes and cheap DIY options. So hopefully you are researching the benefits of spray foam insulation and we may have some vital information for you.

You might be regretting missing out on the 2021 UK government Green Homes Grant that awarded every household £5000 to use on home insulation. This boost to the environment was not only a welcome influx of work for the industry, it gave homeowners a chance to make some improvements and reduce energy bills.

Just one look at any internet search engine, and there is a multitude of reputable companies offering all types of roof and loft insulation for homeowners, and the one which has proved very popular is spray foam insulation.

However, it’s the one thing that is guaranteed to send a shiver through any self-respecting conservationist and indeed have further repercussions for homeowners. Not only those who are interested in our environment but also surveyors. As most surveyors take a cautious view of this technique and probably advise their clients to pass it by. In fact, even mortgage companies are cautious.

Before we cover that, let’s cover what foam spray insulation is and it’s benefits.

Pros And Cons Of Foam Spray Insulation

As with any product, there are advantages and disadvantages, and spray foam is no different.

Whilst the argument for and against is relatively equal, one factor you must consider is how mortgage companies view this product, which is not favourable at all.

Which Type Of Spray Foams Are There?

Closed-cell spray foam insulation is less porous than open-cell spray foam. This means the warmth will have nowhere to go once it dissipates into your loft.

This might not sound like a problem, but the greater warmth has a hidden danger –expansion and contraction.

Open-cell spray foam insulation is a very pliable, lightweight insulation material best suited for attics, rim joists, crawl spaces, or open wall cavities. A few other qualities of open-cell spray foam include its sound-dampening qualities.

Are These Eco-Friendly Products?

No, both are overwhelmingly made from materials that are not sustainable, so in the long run, it’s difficult to see it as the solution for insulating our homes especially our roof and loft spaces.

Spray foam insulation is a petroleum-based product too, and as the world moves away from fossil fuels, things like spray foam insulation will inevitably become a thing of the past.

From a recycling point of view, spray foam insulation is pretty dreadful because of how it clings to roofing materials. This makes recycling parts of your roof (for example, during renovation or even a total roof replacement) very difficult.

Spray foam insulation companies are keen to stress that their product is good for the environment. In terms of keeping the heat in and stopping energy wastage, spray foam is and has been approved by the UK government in the past including during the Green Homes Grant Scheme back in 2021.

But you can’t escape from the fact that most spray foam insulation is made from unsustainable materials.

An alternative to ordinary spray foam insulation, called Icynene, is promoted as a much greener option. It’s made from recycled materials and doesn’t contain any harmful gases, toxic chemicals, or synthetic blowing agents. Although standard insulation boards are a lot easier to install and remove and offer the same energy efficiency benefits.

Does Using Spray Foam Insulation Affect Getting A Mortgage?

In short, and at the time of writing, it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain any kind of lending on a property with spray foam insulation, and many factors are scaring mortgage companies away.

Spray foam insulation within domestic roof voids is something that continues to happen with currently no regulation. There are (of course) initial benefits for the homeowner, such as providing extra insulation, reducing energy bills and heat retention in your loft space.

However, for many surveyors and property professionals, the sprayed foam does pose an issue when trying to evaluate and report on the condition of a roof. Sadly, many installations are poorly executed and without proper consideration of moisture management within the property, leaving structural roof timbers at risk of damage or failure.

With the additional tightening of lending criteria, for many homeowners, these improper spray foam installations can even risk the mortgage ability of the property.

So Why Is It A Problem For Mortgage Lenders?

By sealing the roof space with this material, air circulation can be restricted to the roof and timbers. This can lead to condensation, which in turn can eventually lead to the rotting of the wooden roof supports.

The closed cell foam version also sets very hard and will become extremely hard to remove, which will ultimately add cost to any future renovations.

Currently, most mortgage lenders are using the advice given by chartered surveyors, and most of their professional bodies are advising against approving loans due to insufficient evidence based on the application and effectiveness of many foam spray insulation products.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors is currently offering this advice Understanding spray foam insulation | Journals | RICS on its website, whereas the Property Care Association has conducted a study into the benefits and issues regarding spray foam insulation and the conclusion Sprayed Foam Insulation in Domestic Roofs – Industry Group – PCA (property-care.org) is that it’s on the ground, surveyors should not recommend any lending without fully investigating the type of spray foam insulation used.

What Can You Do As The Homeowner?

You can hunt around to find a mortgage lender that will loan you the money, as there are some out there but be aware that securing any funds can be lengthy and costly.

Any potential mortgage application would need a valuer’s approval, and certain criteria about the type of spray foam would need to be met.

Most lenders will rely on a survey to identify the insulation used and make mortgage decisions based on that survey.

Affected homeowners are advised to keep any paperwork and guarantees from their installation. This may help a surveyor assess the work done.

Can The Government Help?

The current position taken by the UK government is that it has no plans to intervene to assist homeowners even though foam spray insulation was part of the original Green Homes Grant Scheme in 2021.

Raising A Complaint

If you have had this type of insulation installed into your loft and you are struggling to obtain a mortgage on your property, then you do have a right of complaint, and you can apply using Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

If you are hoping to purchase a property that has had foam spray insulation installed, then it will be up to the vendor to take action needed.

In Conclusion

Most mortgage lenders will refuse any kind of lending on a property that has had foam spray insulation applied. However, if you have relevant documentation from an approved installer under the Trust Mark banner TrustMark – Government Endorsed Scheme For Work Done Around Your Home  you may be able to find a mortgage broker that will be able to help.