Spray Foam Insulation is becoming an increasingly popular solution to the rising costs of climate control in the home. Sealing up the nooks and crannies in roof lines and attics can stop so much cool air from entering the home, thus bring the cost of heating down in the winter months. Having your attic insulated with spray foam will also prevent the hot summer months from turning your house into an oven, and thus cut the costs of air conditioning.

Spray foam insulation can be installed by professionals, as well as by the do-it-yourself homeowner. Kits are available for purchase online or in stores. All it takes is a thorough read of the instructions, preparation, planning and execution. Let's take a good look at how a homeowner might prepare for an installation.

1 - Open up the kit and take a look at all the components. Make sure everything that should be there, is. Read the instructions thoroughly. Even if you read them online, read them again. Very often there are additions or deletions that could make a big difference to the job.

2 - In spaces where the walls are still at the studs, begin by covering all electrical boxes and outlets. You can use newspaper, but plastic is better and attach it with masking tape. The purpose of covering the j-boxes and outlets is to prevent any foam from making its way in. The foam can be very sticky and if it gets into an electrical device, it could cause a fire. If you are spraying in a place that has access to a furnished part of the house (via a door or window), cover the access point with plastic. If you are spraying in soffits from the outside, cover everything with plastic: doors, windows, stucco, siding, wood, concrete, vinyl, furniture, etc. When spraying foam, even in a closed area, particles can and will drift away and become stuck on anything. Removing spray foam from unwanted surfaces will very often end up harming the surfaces in the end. Taking the foam off involves a lot of scraping, methylene chloride and hours of work.

3 - Suit up. Some spray foam insulation kits even come with a disposable full body suit designed to protect your body from the spray and may include have booties, gloves, a hood and safety glasses. Some kits even include a mask. However a mask is not enough, especially if you are in an enclosed space. Spending a few dollars on a respirator with filters will ensure that a) you can apply the foam properly in an enclosed space and still be able to breathe normally, b) you will not inhale any of the millions of polyurethane particles floating around and c) you can take your time. A rush job is never a good idea. Using the suit may seem like overkill, but it isn't. If you get spray foam in your hair, the process for getting it out begins with applying petroleum jelly to each follicle, wrapping your head in plastic for an hour, rinsing with warm water and repeating the routine until all the foam is gone. Wearing the suit is a lot easier.

4 - When you are suited up and the equipment is put together, begin by spraying a test patch area. This will help you get the feel of how the gun works and how to achieve the right thickness of foam. When you are ready, start by holding the spray gun 18-24 inches away from the surface you want to spray. Spray a one inch wide bead around the area to be insulated. Then, making sure to spray evenly and starting at the the top, fill in the area using a side to side motion between the studs. Spray one section completely between the studs, wait for the foam to rise and check for any gaps. Respray lightly to seal the area. Then move on to the next. Try not to spray too much or apply the foam too thickly. If you spray on too much at a time, the foam can fall off the surface before it has a chance to cure.

5 - After you have finished spraying, and while keeping your suit and mask on, use a foam saw to slice off any excess insulation if needed. Foam should not extend over the studs as it will cause problems when drywall is installed.

Applying spray foam insulation is not difficult. In fact, almost anyone can do it. As with painting, preparation is key. The savings in heating and cooling costs are well worth the preparation, body suit and respirator.