My best lead was to Retrofoam...Phoenix Home Insulation Frequently Asked Questions
Foam Insulation in Phoenix, Arizona
INSTALLATION
Is Retrofoam insulation installed from inside or outside the house?
In most cases Retrofoam foam wall insulation is installed from outside of the house.
Can Retrofoam insulation be installed in the gap between the sheetrock and my block wall?
Yes. Retrofoam can be installed in the gap between the sheetrock and the block, but it is more effective to install the foam in the block cores.
Can Retrofoam insulation be installed inside slump block or brick wall cavities?
Yes. Many homeowners think that their homes are solid concrete block all the way through the wall, especially if they own older homes. This is rarely the case, even in brick homes. Retrofoam of Arizona can do a free non-invasive wall cavity probe for homeowners with slump block or brick homes.
How can you install Retrofoam insulation alongside my existing insulation?
Retrofoam foam insulation is injected alongside your existing insulation via a hose that is inserted into the wall. The foam insulation spreads alongside the fiberglass, compacting it against the exterior wall. Our video on the main page shows how this works.
How do you repair the holes that you make so they do not show?
Our technicians have years of experience in drywall and stucco repair. Typically we install a polystyrene foam plug in the penetration hole. Add a base coat of stucco patch and then top coat the patch in the same pattern as the existing wall. Usually the repairs are undetectable, even to a trained eye.
How do you match the paint on a house?
We have found that taking a paint sample off of the exterior of the home is the best way to match the paint because the fading from the sun is built into the color. We do not guarantee that color match will be perfect. Usually it takes a month or two of exposure before the color has totally blended in with the rest of the home.
How do you know if you put enough foam insulation in the wall?
We have three methods to determine how much foam insulation has been injected into the wall.
- Timing and volume – Our technicians monitor the volume of foam insulation flowing through the hose. This determines how long it will take to fill the wall cavity and therefore how much foam insulation will be in the wall cavity.
- Push back – As the volume of foam insulation increases in the wall cavity, the foam will push back out of the insertion hole.
- Sound and feel – After injecting thousands of wall cavities, our technicians know when a wall cavity is full or if it needs additional foam based on the sound emanating from the cavity and internal pressure exerted by the foam insulation on the hose.
Can you overfill a cavity? What are the consequences of this?
Yes. When a wall cavity is overfilled the sheetrock on the interior of the house will buldge. This does happen on occasion and Retrofoam of Arizona repairs the wall and cleans up any foam insulation mess at no charge to the customer.
Does temperature affect the installation?
No. Retrofoam insulation is mixed fresh on site daily according to site conditions. We install the same high-quality foam wall insulation product day in and day out. Once our foam insulation is installed, extreme high or low tempuratures will not cause it to deform in any way.
How long does it take RetroFoam to cure?
24 hours.
How long does it take to install Retrofoam?
The average home takes 1-2 days. Foaming is usually complete on the first day, and the repairs are wrapped up on the second day.
How thick will the foam insulation be in my wall?
In a 2x4 stud cavity with fiberglass insulation the foam will be from 2.75” to 3” thick. In an empty wall stud cavity the foam will be 3.5"-3.75" thick. In slump block and block walls walls the foam is 5' thick. Brick homes vary, depending on construction.
ESTIMATE
Can you give me an estimate over the phone?
No. An on-site inspection must take place prior to giving an accurate estimate. We make exceptions for homeowners who live far from Phoenix who would like Retrofoam insulation in their home. Contact us for details.
How long does an estimate take?
30 – 90 minutes, depending on the home.
PRODUCT
How do I get the tax credit for Retrofoam?
Retrofoam of Arizona will provide a receipt and a Manufacture’s Statement upon final payment. Give these documents to your accountant to receive the energy tax credit.
How much does Retrofoam cost?
The cost of Retrofoam insulation varies depending on volume of foam injected, the total wall square footage, wall height, and the scope of the penetration repair work. We have performed installations for homeowners who want to save money on their energy bills in all sizes of homes. Retrofoam insulation is one of the few home improvements that pays for itself in energy savings and adds value to your home.
Where is Retrofoam insulation made?
Retrofoam insulation was invented by Polymaster Corp. of Knoxville, Tennessee. It is made in Norway and distributed worldwide by Polymaster..
Can I do some or all of the repair work myself to save money?
Yes.
Does Retrofoam stick to everything? Is it hard to clean?
Prior to curing, Retrofoam is water soluble and very easy to clean up.
Does Retrofoam insulation smell?
Retrofoam insulation has no odor.
Is Retrofoam insulation toxic?
No. Retrofoam insulation is a completely inert material. It is non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
Will mold grow on Retrofoam?
No.
Will insects eat through Retrofoam?
No. Retrofoam wall foam insulation does act as a physical barrier to bugs entering the home because it penetrates every nook and cranny of the wall cavity. Because Retrofoam is an inorganic plastic, pests do not eat it.
Does Retrofoam insulation block drafting and seal air leaks?
YES. This is the greatest benefit of Retrofoam. Drafting occurs in all homes and is a huge source of energy inefficiency. Foam insulation will stop drafting through exterior walls in the home. Arizona homes are particularly suseptable to drafting because the are constructed without air barriers in the walls.
Does Retrofoam block sound transmission through walls?
Homeowners notice a considerable reduction in exterior => interior sound transmission through the walls after foam insulation is installed. Foam wall insulation is often used for sound proofing because of its superior accoustical reduction qualities. Retrofoam foam insulation can reduce noise by up to 50 decibels.
Can you insulate attics with Retrofoam?
No. Retrofoam can only be installed in enclosed cavities. We recommend having your attic insulation upgraded along with your walls and can arrange to have that done by one of our partner insulation companies.
RETROFOAM OF ARIZONA
I live far from Phoenix, will you insulate my home?
Yes. We will work anywhere in the State of Arizona. Our out-of-town quotation process takes a little longer and requires some homeowner involvement, please contact us for details.
Does Retrofoam of Arizona inject foam wall insulation condo associations and apartment buildings?
Yes.
How long has Retrofoam of Arizona been in business?
We started May 1, 2010. Retrofoam of Arizona is one of many Retrofoam dealers throughout the United States.
Does Retrofoam of Arizona install other types of foam insulation?
Yes. Along with Retrofoam, we spray all types of urethane foams. We install retrofit sealed attic systems with urethane foam and also spray high density urethane in areas with limited space.
I would like to sell or install Retrofoam insulation through my company, how do I do that?
Mixing and installing Retrofoam insulation is a technical process, best performed by well trained technicians who do it day in and day out. We do not subcontract our work.
