RICS release new spray foam consumer guide

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) today launched an impartial and comprehensive guide written by subject matter experts to update consumers on the latest guidance about the use of spray foam as a method of insulating residential properties.

Thermal improvements can be made to many homes and if your main goals are to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions, then installing insulation and draught-proofing can achieve this. Spray foam is just one type of thermal insulation which can be applied to various parts of a building as part of a wider thermal improvement plan.

However, this popular form of insulation, which has been widely used for several decades, can all too often be marketed as an easy and simplistic fix, when in fact the installation of spray foam should really be seen as a significant and fundamental alteration to a home which needs careful consideration and planning.

The RICS spray foam guide educates the public on the pros and cons of spray foam installation, following many years of research into the effects of this material,  helping consumer confidence in  making informed decisions.

This informative guide covers topics such as what effects spray foam might have on a property’s roof structure, thermal performance and value - do’s and don’ts when installing insulation to your home, and how RICS-accredited members can help assess your property.

The guide has been produced to inform the public about spray foam insulation after several high-profile Trading Standards cases recently reported in the media highlighted poor standards of work, illegal modifications to listed buildings and high-pressure selling to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly.  Moreover, there has been concern within specific sectors of the lending market, such as equity release mortgages, which is now having a wider impact on lenders.

Sam Piplica, Senior Specialist in Building Standards at RICS, said:

“We are pleased to present this free consumer guide on spray foam insulation to the public.  RICS’s remit is to serve the public, therefore, the guide’s main focus is to educate and raise public awareness of potential issues surrounding spray foam, so that people can make informed decisions based on research and due diligence.

“RICS is also part of an industry working group on this issue to help not only our members but the wider industry improve their products and services.”