I’m Kayla. I’ve used spray foam in my own house. More than once. It looked easy. It was. And it wasn’t. For an even more in-depth play-by-play of tackling spray foam solo, I also read through this candid recap of another homeowner’s adventure, and it gave me the confidence to press the trigger myself.
What I’m covering
- What I used and why
- Three real jobs I did
- What worked, what stung
- Gear I wore, costs, and simple tips
Why I Picked Spray Foam at All
Our place is old. Drafts sneak in like they pay rent. The basement rim joists were the worst. Cold air, musty smell, spider parties. I wanted a tight seal. I also didn’t want to wait weeks for a crew. So I went DIY.
Honestly, I was nervous. Foam expands. It sticks to everything. But I kept hearing, “It makes a huge difference.” I wanted that. If you’d rather see the full process broken down into photos and bullet-points first, check out this straightforward how-to on spray foam installation.
What I Used
- Froth-Pak 210 kit for the big work (two tanks, a gun, and a bunch of tips). Mine was about $500.
- Great Stuff Big Gap Filler cans for small holes and weird corners. I used six cans.
- A cheap Tyvek suit, nitrile gloves, a half-mask with organic vapor filters, goggles, and a painter’s cap. I looked like a marshmallow. A safe one.
I also kept a spray bottle of water, a roll of plastic, and two old sheets. You’ll see why. If you’re still weighing which kit to buy, this side-by-side look at popular foam insulation DIY kits is a great warm-up read before you place an order.
Job 1: Basement Rim Joists (Cold Feet No More)
The rim joists run around the top of a basement wall. Cold air loves that spot. I cleared cobwebs. I stuffed a few big gaps with backer rod. Then I warmed the tanks.
Little tip: warm tanks make better foam. I sat them in a tub with warm water for 10 minutes. Not hot. Just warm.
I taped plastic over the floor and the washer. I snapped on a fresh tip and did short sweeps. Thin passes, like frosting a cake with too little frosting. I let it rise. Then I misted a tiny bit of water and did a second pass. It grabbed the wood fast. It got firm in about 10 minutes.
What I saw next week? The basement didn’t smell damp. The floor above felt less cold. My kid even played down there without complaining. That was new.
I did mess up one beam. I sprayed too thick in one go. It puffed into a weird blob. I had to shave it with a cheap bread knife. Not graceful, but it worked.
Job 2: My Weekend Van Project (Careful With Metal)
I know, foam in vans can be tricky. You can warp the panels if you go wild. I just did the floor voids and some ribs. I used light passes and kept the gun moving. No pressure spots. No bows.
I used Tiger Foam once in a friend’s van. This time I stuck to my Froth-Pak leftovers and a few Great Stuff cans for the ribs. I taped everything I didn’t want foam on. Music on. Windows open. Slow and steady. It cut road noise more than I thought. Summer heat felt softer too. Not cool like A/C, but softer.
Job 3: The Drafty Knee Wall (Quick Win)
We have a little attic knee wall. It was leaky like a cardboard box. I stapled up foam board pieces as baffles first. Then I sealed the edges with Great Stuff. The board gave me a guide, and the foam locked the edges. It took a Sunday afternoon and two cups of coffee. After that, the hallway didn’t whistle on windy nights. My neighbor asked, “Did you fix something?” That felt good.
What I Loved
- It seals odd shapes. Pipes, wires, ugly corners—no problem.
- It works fast. You feel the change the same week.
- Closed-cell foam adds a bit of strength. Things feel tighter.
- Less mildew smell in our basement. That surprised me most.
What I Didn’t
- It’s messy. It sticks to hair, shoes, pride—everything.
- Tips clog if you pause too long. Swap fast, or it’s toast.
- It’s not cheap. I still saved money, but it stung a little.
- Disposal is awkward. Those empty tanks aren’t tiny. Check your city rules.
Also, the smell during spraying is real. It fades fast, but air the place out. I ran a box fan and cracked two windows. My dog tried to “help.” I sent him upstairs with a chew and a stern look.
Safety Gear I Actually Used
I wore the suit, gloves, goggles, and a half-mask with organic vapor filters. An N95 wasn’t enough. My skin did fine, but I don’t like risks. I taped my sleeves to my gloves like a goofball. It worked.
One more thing. Foam near living areas needs a fire coat. I rolled on a special paint over the basement foam the next day. It wasn’t hard. Kinda boring, but fine.
Tips I Wish I Knew Before
- Warm the tanks and the room. Cold foam looks sad and wastes money.
- Do thin passes. Let it rise. Then add a little more.
- Keep spare tips in your pocket. If you pause over 30 seconds, swap.
- Mist a tiny bit of water between passes. It helps cure.
- Cover everything. Overspray is clingy and rude.
- Cut cured foam with a bread knife or a pull saw. It’s oddly fun.
- Don’t block vents or touch hot flues. Leave space.
- Label areas you’ve sprayed. It’s easy to miss a gap.
Cost Check
A local crew quoted me about $2,400 for the rim joists and knee wall. My DIY total was around $650, plus the safety gear I can reuse. I spent time, yes. But I kept cash in my pocket.
Cans for small stuff cost me about $8 to $10 each. I used six. Worth it.
Results That Stuck
Winter drafts dropped. Our furnace cycled less. Floors felt warmer. The van got quieter. The attic hallway didn’t howl. I’m not saying it fixed every leak. It didn’t. But it fixed the loud ones. And if insulation success gets you thinking about other energy-saving upgrades, like installing your own mini-splits, this no-fluff story of putting in two DIY units shows what that leap looks like in real life.
Who Should Skip DIY Foam
If you hate suits and masks, skip it. If you need a thick, full attic job, call a pro. If you have bad allergies, maybe don’t. And if your home has big moisture issues, fix those first. Foam isn’t a magic wand. It’s a seal and a boost.
For folks leaning toward hiring out, the vetted pros listed at Service Center Team can quote the job and save you the hassle.
One Oops, Then a Win
Halfway through the basement, a tip popped and sprayed my goggles. I said a word I won’t print. I swapped the tip, wiped my face, and kept going. It dried clean on the joists. No harm done. Honestly, I felt proud when I saw that tight, even line. Simple things, right?
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Final Take
Would I use DIY spray foam again? Yes. With drop cloths, fresh tips, and a calm pace. It’s fast, strong, and kind of fun once you find a rhythm. Just respect the gear. Go light, go slow, and let the foam do the work.
You know what? Warm toes are worth a little mess.