Mike Holmes is a Canadian professional contractor who has gained notoriety for his television show Holmes on Homes in which he rescues homeowners from devastating renovation failures. He educates his viewers on proper construction methods, products and building codes. Mike Holmes also took his show down to New Orleans in an effort to assist in rebuilding the city after Hurricane Katrina.

Mr. Holmes has been an avid spokesperson for his trade, encouraging young people to gain proper training and education on products and techniques in construction. He was acknowledged in Canada's House of Commons for his advocacy for improved building standards as well as being an extraordinary craftsperson and master builder with a social conscience. In May 2010, Reader's Digest named Mike Holmes the second most widely trusted person in Canada.

With the vast experience Mr. Holmes has, it would be prudent to consider why he likes certain methods and products for the construction of houses. In every Holmes on Homes episode that requires rebuilding a roof, attic space, floor or ceiling, Mike uses spray foam insulation. The biggest benefit as a contractor is probably the ease of installation. With the right equipment, almost anyone can apply spray foam insulation. It simply requires a bit of reading and a little bit of preparation.

For homeowners spray foam insulation lowers energy costs, adds resale value, prevents mold and moisture from growing, keeps pests away and lowers the risk of allergens in the home. These are also all the reasons Mr. Holmes uses spray foam insulation in his renovation and building projects. The energy cost savings are so significant, that many question how one product can make such a huge difference. The answer is simple: plugging holes and pockets will reduce your energy loss by 40% (according to the US Department of Energy). Plugging up those small holes and crevices in the attic and floor cavities will keep warm air in and cold air out. Or vice versa in the warmer months of the year.

Plugging up holes in your home also stops rodents and insects from entering. The American Cockroach loves to get into nice warm homes and scavenge for food. But spray foam insulation will not only plug the entries, it will deter the insects. Cockroaches, rats, mice and other unwanted guests just find it too hard to get through the spray foam and will look elsewhere for a place to live.

Moisture in the home is one of the things every homeowner is very, very afraid of. Mold can destroy walls, clothing, carpets and the health of the family. Airborne mold spores are especially dangerous to the elderly and infants and they can cause respiratory infections. A properly insulated home will not become moist because a vapor barrier between the spray foam insulation and the outer wall keeps cold moist air outside and warm dry air inside. The home's breathability occurs via the windows and doors.

The allergens that cause most people problems are from the outdoors. Having a properly insulated home with no gaps will prevent those allergens from entering. Pollen, grass and tree molecules cannot enter holes in the attic and roofline, just as cold air cannot.

Finally, when it comes time to sell the home, prospective buyers will be pleased to find spray foam insulation has been used. They will know it is more energy efficient and will be more likely to pay a bit more. They may also see that a home with spray foam insulation is likely to have had insect or rodent infestations. With the evolution of the housing market, and the educational efforts of Mike Homes, buyers are becoming much more savvy in their house hunting activities. Buyers are not going on the surface level presentation anymore. They are venturing into attics and crawlspaces to see for themselves just what kind of shape the home is in before they buy it.