New Construction Spray Foam Insulation

Whole-house spray foam insulation for new construction in Oklahoma City. REScheck energy compliance, blower door testing, builder coordination. Meeting 2018 IRC air leakage requirements at 5 ACH50 or less.

Building It Right the First Time

New construction is the one chance to get the building envelope right without tearing anything apart. The framing is open, the cavities are accessible, and every penetration can be sealed before drywall goes up. Spray foam insulation in new construction is not a retrofit — it is the insulation system the house is designed around.

At Bo’s Spray Foam, we work with builders across the Oklahoma City metro to deliver whole-house foam insulation that meets energy code, passes blower door testing, and performs for the life of the structure.

The Whole-House Approach

A spray foam new construction project typically covers every component of the thermal envelope:

Attic — Roof Deck

Open cell at 5.5 inches (R-20.35) or closed cell at 3 inches (R-19.5), applied to the underside of the roof sheathing. This creates an unvented attic per IRC R806.5. The HVAC system, ductwork, and any attic-mounted equipment now operate inside conditioned space. In Oklahoma’s Climate Zone 3, no vapor retarder is required for this assembly.

Exterior Walls

Closed cell at 2 inches (R-13) in 2x4 framing, meeting the 2009 IECC prescriptive R-value for Climate Zone 3. Or open cell at 3.5 inches (R-12.95) filling the full 2x4 cavity — passing via performance path. In 2x6 framing, closed cell at 3 inches delivers R-19.5, or open cell at 5.5 inches provides R-20.35. The choice depends on the builder’s wall assembly design and the overall energy compliance strategy.

Rim Joists

Closed cell at 2 inches on every rim joist bay. This is the most air-leaky component in the framing system. Sealing it with closed cell foam eliminates a major source of infiltration and provides a vapor retarder at the foundation-to-framing transition.

Crawlspace or Basement Walls

If the home has a crawlspace or basement, closed cell foam on the foundation walls brings that space into the conditioned envelope. Two inches of closed cell on concrete or block walls delivers R-13, seals against moisture, and eliminates the need for floor insulation above.

Energy Code Compliance in Oklahoma

Oklahoma City enforces the 2018 IRC. The rest of the state operates under the 2015 IRC. Both reference the IECC energy provisions for Climate Zone 3.

Prescriptive Path

The prescriptive R-values for Climate Zone 3 are R-30 ceiling, R-13 wall, and R-0 floor (for slab-on-grade). If every component meets or exceeds its prescriptive value, you pass without additional analysis. Spray foam walls at R-13 meet prescriptive. The roof deck, insulated at R-19.5 to R-20.35, does not meet the R-30 prescriptive ceiling value — which is why we use the performance path.

Performance Path — REScheck

REScheck evaluates the home as a system. A roof deck at R-20 combined with well-sealed walls, efficient windows, and tight construction can pass where the individual components would not. We run the REScheck analysis during the design phase so the builder knows the compliance status before insulation is installed. The report is filed with the building department.

Blower Door Testing

The 2018 IRC requires new homes in Climate Zone 3 to test at 5 ACH50 or less. This is measured after the home is substantially complete — drywall, windows, doors, and HVAC installed.

Spray foam homes outperform this requirement consistently. The foam creates a continuous air barrier at the roof deck, walls, and rim joists. Combined with proper window and door installation, typical results fall in the 1.5 to 3.0 ACH50 range.

We coordinate with third-party blower door testers and are present for testing when needed. If an area needs additional sealing, we address it on site.

Builder Coordination

We work with your construction schedule, not against it. That means:

  • Pre-construction: We review plans, run preliminary REScheck, and confirm the insulation specification meets code and budget.
  • Scheduling: We slot into the schedule after rough inspections are approved. Most homes take one to two days for full-envelope foam.
  • Quality: We leave clean, uniform foam at the specified thickness. No overspray on surfaces that need to be finished. No foam in junction boxes or on window flanges.
  • Documentation: REScheck report filed. Thickness verified. Ready for insulation inspection.

What the Builder and Homeowner Get

A tight, well-insulated home that meets Oklahoma energy code, passes blower door testing, and performs in the real conditions of an Oklahoma climate — 100-degree summers, ice storms in winter, and wind every day in between. The envelope does its job, the HVAC system does less work, and the homeowner feels the difference from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is REScheck and do I need it?
REScheck is the U.S. Department of Energy's software for demonstrating residential energy code compliance. In Oklahoma, when your insulation strategy does not meet prescriptive R-value requirements at every component (for example, R-20 at the roof deck instead of R-30 at the ceiling), you use REScheck to show the home passes via the performance path — evaluating the entire building envelope as a system. We file the REScheck analysis for every new construction project. It is submitted to the building department as part of the permit documentation.
What is a blower door test and will my home pass?
A blower door test measures the air leakage rate of a completed home. A calibrated fan is mounted in an exterior door, depressurizes the house to 50 Pascals, and measures how much air leaks through the envelope. The result is expressed in air changes per hour at 50 Pascals (ACH50). The 2018 IRC requires 5 ACH50 or less for Climate Zone 3 new construction. Spray foam homes routinely test well below this threshold. We have seen results in the 1.5-3.0 ACH50 range on properly detailed homes. The foam does the heavy lifting, but window installation, door weatherstripping, and penetration sealing all contribute.
When in the construction schedule does spray foam get installed?
Spray foam is installed after rough framing, rough plumbing, rough electrical, and rough HVAC are complete — and after those trades have been inspected and approved. We need the framing cavities clear of debris, all penetrations drilled, and wiring/plumbing in final position. The foam encapsulates everything in the cavity, so nothing can be moved after application. We coordinate with your builder to schedule our work in the correct window, typically arriving within a day or two of rough inspection approval.
Is spray foam worth the extra cost over fiberglass in new construction?
Spray foam costs more per square foot than fiberglass batts. What you get for that cost is a combined insulation and air barrier in a single product, significantly lower air leakage rates, better real-world thermal performance, and reduced HVAC sizing requirements. Many builders find that the HVAC system can be downsized in a spray foam home, which offsets part of the insulation cost. The energy savings over the life of the home typically exceed the upfront cost difference. We can show you the numbers for your specific project.

Ready for a spray foam quote?

Tell us about your project and we'll get back to you within one business day. No pressure, no upsell — just honest numbers from the family whose name is on the truck.

Get a Free Quote (405) 437-0146