Cheap Today, Costly Tomorrow

Spray Foam Magazine – Late Summer 2026 – When spray foam contractors consider buying non-compliant spray foam materials, it’s a violation of trust and the penalties are severe. In the spray foam insulation industry, contractor/installer buying decisions carry risk and may violate the law.

As the North American spray foam industry moves through a period of tight material supply (raw materials, packaging, Isocyanate and blended systems), contractors (the installers of the spray foam systems) can get “creative” with sourcing their chemical systems as well as avoiding local building code compliance. Both decisions bring enormous risk and liability to the contractor company, their employees, and the families those company’s support.

Let’s look at the chemical, specifically the SPF resin purchasing decision. Polyurethane spray foam resins are blended in most countries around the world. Each country has their own testing and approval processes for application in their country, which vary from country to country. Even our closest neighbors, Mexico and Canada have different test methods to determine similar physical properties as well as different market approval processes.

In the United States, spray foam products are governed by several recognized standards and evaluation criteria, including ASTM C1029, ASTM D7425 (specific to roofing foams), ICC 1100, IAPMO ES 1000, and ICC-ES AC377, along with the specific test procedures referenced within those standards. These product standards establish the required test methods, performance criteria, and evaluation requirements that manufacturers must meet. They are also referenced by model building codes and serve as the basis for determining code compliance and product acceptance in the marketplace.

Canada for example has a single product and installation standard which identifies test methods and performance criteria – CAN/ULC S705. One is for products, and S705.2 for the installation. Although Canadian spray foams meet the requirements of the Code in Canada, they do NOT meet the requirements for the U.S. market, unless they have been tested and evaluated by a U.S. approved, third-party testing facility and evaluated by a third-party for code compliance. Most resins blended in Mexico, have not been tested or evaluated by U.S. evaluation services. The decision to purchase and install materials which have not been tested or evaluated for the U.S. marketplaces putting the “importer of record”, the contractor and the installer at risk.  

Recently the Spray Foam Coalition has issued a statement in support of the White House Executive Order aimed at strengthening Customs Enforcement to protect domestic manufacturing and support supply chain integrity. Accountability and Compliance of imported materials is the responsibility of importers and the focus of the Executive Order.  

When evaluating code compliance and purchasing decisions in Canada, contractors and installers should be aware that most provinces now require all spray polyurethane foam (SPF) used in agricultural applications, including storage buildings, to be an approved product with CCMC or UL certification. Contractors/installers are encouraged to verify provincial requirements with local building officials and chemical manufacturers. If a structure is intended for residential occupancy, such as a barndominium or a converted storage building, the foam must be evaluated and approved by CCMC or ULC.

In the United States, code compliance requirements are less clearly defined, creating additional risk for contractors/installers. One of the most significant decisions involves whether a building permit is required for the installation. When a permit is not obtained, as is common in many retrofit applications, the responsibility for performance and compliance falls squarely on the contractor or installer.

If the installed material does not have the required U.S. testing and approvals, including recognized evaluation reports (ICC-ES or an approved equivalent) and compliance for residential applications through standards such as VOC emissions, AC 377, and NFPA 286, the contractor or installer assumes full liability for the installation. According to attorneys familiar with these cases, the potential consequences can extend well beyond product liability claims and business insurance disputes, escalating to allegations of individual criminal fraud in certain circumstances.

Insulation business owners consistently identify price and product availability as the two primary factors driving high-risk purchasing decisions. While opportunities and pricing vary, consider a scenario where non-compliant materials offer a cost advantage of $300 USD per set. On a six-set job, that translates to approximately $1,800 in material savings.

For illustration purposes, let's assume a typical six-set project is sold to the building owner for $40,000 USD. Actual pricing will vary, but this example helps put the savings into perspective. The $1,800 material cost advantage represents less than 5% of the total project price charged to the building owner. When typical operating costs and overhead burdens are applied to the revenue, the resulting increase in profit is closer to 2%, roughly equivalent to the cost of two or three mixing chambers.

Now consider the risk. Choosing to install non-compliant SPF materials could jeopardize your company, your ability to maintain insurance coverage, and your professional reputation. In the event of a catastrophic failure, the consequences may extend beyond product liability claims and insurance disputes to potential criminal charges. Such an outcome could place both your business and personal assets at risk, not to mention the possibility of incarceration. For a gain of approximately 2%, the potential consequences are simply too severe. It is not a risk worth taking.

Over the past 60 years, the spray foam industry in North America has built a strong and reliable manufacturing and supply infrastructure. This network includes more than 20 resin manufacturing plants, established distribution channels, extensive field technical service teams, and highly skilled chemists and engineers dedicated to developing advanced foam systems. These products are supported by rigorous third-party testing, certification, and approval processes, all while being delivered at a fair market price.

Choosing to risk your company, the safety of home and building owners, and the integrity of a fully functioning domestic supply chain for the sake of saving a few dollars is a short-sighted decision. Such actions not only jeopardize your business and your customers but also undermine the credibility of your company and the reputation of the spray foam industry as a whole.

As business owners and professionals, every purchasing decision reflects our values, our integrity, and our commitment to those who place their trust in us. The spray foam industry plays a vital role in creating safer, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient buildings. Protecting that mission requires us to hold ourselves to the highest ethical and professional standards. A small cost savings today is never worth risking your company, your reputation, the safety of building owners, or the future of our industry. Let’s continue building trust, delivering quality, and making decisions that strengthen our businesses and the spray foam industry for years to come.

For any questions or more information regarding this article contact Tom Harris tom@letstalkpur.com

Published by Spray Foam Magazine

SprayFoam / Spray Foam Insulation