FAQs

RetroFoam is a tri-polymer-based resin that create an odor-free, non-toxic foam insulation. This injection foam doesn’t off-gas and has a Class 1 fire rating. It’s safe to have in your home!

There are only a couple of circumstance when RetroFoam might not be the best option for you. If your exterior walls don’t have any cavity space to fill or if your home doesn’t have any sheathing, this insulation choice may not be recommended.

It comes down to the installation process. Spray foam is sprayed into open cavities like attics, crawlspaces, and rim joists. Injection foam, like RetroFoam insulation, is injected into enclosed cavities like walls.

You can, but there’s a bigger picture to consider. You always want to look at your home like an entire system. If you focus on just one wall, you’ll likely not get the results you want.

By timing the cavity fill, having methodical placement of the insertion holes, and using back-pressure on the insertion hole, we are able to ensure a cavity is completely full. We are also cautious to prevent overfilling. Contact us if you need a home insulation service in Knoxville, TN.

The process for aluminum, vinyl, brick, and wood are all different. We will explain the process in detail after evaluating your home.

The initial water content of the foam is approximately 4% by volume, in our professional experience, which is too low to affect a building's structure.

The partially open-cell nature of the foam means the insulation dries out quickly, and in our experience, this takes around two to three weeks. Once dry, RetroFoam resists the re-absorption of water.

In most cases, the foam dries out before mold can grow. Additionally, prior to installation, a technician will assess your home for existing moisture issues that could extend dry time. Reach out to RetroFoam of East Tennessee today if you're looking for one of the top house insulation companies in Knoxville, TN.

No. When RetroFoam is exposed to water it is hydrophobic, meaning it sheds water rather than holds it. Even when immersed in water, RetroFoam absorbs only a small amount of water, which quickly evaporates once it is removed from the water. As with most insulation materials, RetroFoam will become water-logged when exposed to water over a long period of time. Choose us if you're looking for one of the top spray foam insulation businesses in Knoxville, TN.

This is partially correct, however, the primary purpose of this gap is to keep moisture traveling through the brick, which is porous, to prevent it from touching the wood and sheathing. If the wood is in contact with brick, it will take up moisture, which causes the wood to rot. RetroFoam is breathable and repels water. The foam fills the whole cavity space, providing a suitable thermal barrier without transferring moisture to the wood. Feel free to ask our team more questions like this one when you hire us to be your home insulation service in Knoxville, TN.

In our experience, installation takes approximately one to two days, so there is minimal disruption to your home. To minimize downtime, we ask that pictures be removed from the walls. Looking for house insulation companies in Knoxville, TN? Reach out to our team today.

It’s preferable but not necessary. We do ask that our crew members have access to the home to monitor for problems during the foaming process and check outlets once the drilling is complete. Choose our home insulation service in Knoxville, TN today.

No. RetroFoam has a Class I fire rating, which means it is non-combustible. Even in intense heat, RetroFoam will not burn or melt, however, it will char, lose weight, and disintegrate. Contact us today if you're looking for spray foam insulation businesses in Knoxville, TN.

No. Unlike some plastics, RetroFoam will not react with plastic-coated cabling or wiring. Call now if you need a home insulation service in Knoxville, TN.

To a small degree, some initial shrinkage is normal, but tests have shown that RetroFoam maintains its physical and insulation properties. Often the void space from shrinkage is less than what can be achieved when installing fiberglass batt insulation. We are proud to be one of the top house insulation companies in Knoxville, TN.

When first installed, RetroFoam feels similar to a shaving cream. It needs a semi-fluid consistency in order to seal the entire wall cavity and flow evenly around various barriers. It begins drying almost immediately, although it takes between two and four weeks to cure, according to our professional experience. Once dry, it becomes firm but remains malleable at all times, and it can be gently removed and reinstalled.

According to PropertyInspect, spray foam provides 50% more insulation than traditional materials such as mineral wool and fiberglass.

RetroFoam weighs 300 grams per gallon.

After cure, under proper conditions of 60% humidity or less then the curing time should be between 24 to 72 hours.

Yes, but the amount is miniscule. This is no more than .006 ppm, which is well below EPA restrictions. It’s worth noting that formaldehyde is naturally produced in very small amounts in our bodies as a part of our normal, everyday metabolism and causes us no harm. Formaldehyde can also be found in the air that we breathe, the food we eat, and the products we put on our bodies.

RetroFoam is safe, but we don’t recommend it for consumption.

No. Our goal is to leave the outside of your home exactly as we found it. However, depending on the type of siding, there may be noticeable cosmetic changes.

We will remove as little as necessary to ensure every cavity is filled. This typically is one to two rows per wall.

No. It is non-expanding foam, specifically designed for retro-fitting purposes. As long as there are no pre-existing cracks or areas you’re concerned about, we shouldn’t have any issues. We ask that the house be accessible to our crew during the foaming process to ensure we can monitor the interior of your home in case a problem arises. It’s important for you to identify any areas you’re concerned about so our crew leader can review them before installing the foam.

No. We can apply wood filler to wood, cedar, hardboard, and composite siding, but you are responsible for paint touchups. Siding will reinstall normally.

We do our best. There may be a slight difference due to weathering, but on most homes, once the mortar patch dries, the hole locations are very difficult to identify. We salvage mortar dust from the drilling to reuse and match the color.

We start by drilling 5/8-inch holes through the T-joints in the mortar. Our trained install technicians are careful not to damage any of the brick or stone veneer. They’ll drill three holes per cavity: low, middle, and high. They’ll install RetroFoam from the bottom up. They’ll place a straw in the cavity directly above where they’re foaming. When the straw moves, the cavity has been adequately filled.

This depends on the structure. However, we can usually fill cavities that are 6 inches. Anything larger will need to be inspected by a sales associate.

It depends on the texture and structure. However, the answer is usually yes.

Yes, we have other methods of installation. We can use a net applied to studs or drill holes through new drywall before the finishing begins.

Yes, it can. We fill every cavity we can access. We can drill 3/4-inch holes around window frames. This should be addressed on a case by case basis.

We strongly advise every customer to make sure their home interior space has a 50% or lower humidity level the day of installation and for two weeks after install date. You can normally purchase an inexpensive hygrometer at the local hardware store for less than $20. One example is the AcuRite Digital Humidity and Temperature Comfort Monitor.

RetroFoam cures within a few days after the installation date. However, if your home has a vapor barrier, thick interior paint, or vinyl wall coverings, this can slow the evaporation process down. If this takes too long, mold can start to grow. Be sure to ask us about the best ways to avoid this problem.

It depends on many variables based on the siding material and interior wall coverings. It also depends on the level of wall repair you want. The lowest price one of our customers has paid is $2,180. This was for a home within an hour's drive of our office. The most a customer has ever paid us is about $6,350. This was for an especially large home. Our yearly average price point was: 

• 2014: $4,208 (for many larger homes)
• 2015: $3,370
• 2016: $3,800
• 2017: $3,950
• 2018: $4,100

Now you know about how much RetroFoam costs. However, the real question is how much does it save you? Most customers report a 30% to 50% decrease in utility costs. Plus, you can keep your interior temperatures more comfortable while running your air conditioner and heater less. You also won’t hear the neighbor’s dog barking as much! Overall, most homeowners get their money back in three to six years based on utility cost savings. On top of all that, RetroFoam can increase your home’s marketability as future home buyers are becoming increasingly energy-conscious.

Thanks for considering our work. We really appreciate your interest. We look forward to helping you start saving money with RetroFoam. Call or text us now!