What R-value does foam board insulation provide?

XPS provides around R-5 per inch. EPS is around R-3.8 to R-4 per inch. Polyiso runs R-6 to R-6.5 per inch. Level Home Pros recommends the appropriate type and thickness based on your specific application.

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Foam Board Insulation in Virginia Beach, VA

Q: Can foam board insulation get wet?

XPS and EPS are moisture-resistant and will not lose significant R-value when exposed to moisture. Polyiso can absorb moisture and is better suited for protected applications. Level Home Pros specifies the right type for your conditions.

Q: Does foam board insulation need to be covered?

In living spaces, foam board is typically required to be covered with a thermal barrier such as drywall. In crawl spaces and unconditioned areas, products rated for exposed applications can be used. Level Home Pros follows all local Virginia building codes.

Q: Do you remove old insulation before installing foam board?

If existing insulation is damaged, moldy, or compromised, it must be removed first. Level Home Pros assesses existing conditions and identifies what needs to come out before any new installation begins.

Most insulation is soft. It bends, it sags, and in Virginia Beach’s humid coastal environment, it holds moisture. Foam board insulation is different. It’s rigid, moisture-resistant, and one of the most durable insulation options available for Hampton Roads homes.

We install foam board insulation as part of our full range of insulation services in Virginia Beach. It’s the right call for crawl space walls, basements, foundations, and any area where moisture is a constant factor.

Foam board fits specific applications. Take a look at our complete insulation lineup to find the right material for each part of your home.

What Is Foam Board Insulation?

Foam board insulation, also called rigid foam or rigid foam board, is a solid panel-based insulation product. It comes in sheets that are cut to fit and installed against walls, foundations, or framing members. It doesn’t compress. It doesn’t sag. And it doesn’t absorb moisture the way soft insulation does.

There are three main types used in residential applications:

XPS (extruded polystyrene): The blue or pink boards most people recognize. Good moisture resistance and consistent R-value even in damp conditions. Great for crawl space walls and below-grade applications.

EPS (expanded polystyrene): The white foam material. Similar to XPS but slightly lower R-value per inch. Often used under slabs and in foundation applications.

Polyiso (polyisocyanurate): Higher R-value per inch than the others. Usually foil-faced. Best for above-grade walls and applications where space is limited.

For most Virginia Beach applications, XPS and EPS are the workhorses. They handle our coastal humidity without losing performance.

Where We Install Foam Board

Foam board is not right for every spot in a home, but where it works, it works well.

Crawl space walls: This is one of the best applications in Virginia Beach. Rigid foam holds its R-value even in damp crawl spaces where fiberglass batts would fail. We often pair foam board wall insulation with a vapor barrier and crawl space insulation as part of a complete moisture control project.

Basement and foundation walls: Foam board applied to the interior of basement or foundation walls stops moisture from moving into the living space and adds meaningful thermal performance.

Rim joists: The band joist area at the top of your foundation wall is one of the biggest air leakage points in most homes. Cut-and-cobble foam board with spray foam around the edges is one of the most effective fixes for this area.

Under slabs and over concrete: Foam board under a concrete slab or over an existing concrete floor stops cold from radiating up. Helpful in garages and lower-level living spaces across Virginia Beach.

Why It Works Well in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach’s coastal climate is hard on soft insulation. Salt air, humidity, and occasional flooding events mean that materials need to be tough to last.

Fiberglass batts in a damp crawl space soak up moisture, lose R-value, grow mold, and eventually fall down. We replace them regularly in homes across Great Neck, Chesapeake, and the older neighborhoods along Shore Drive.

Foam board doesn’t do any of that. It doesn’t absorb water. It doesn’t harbor mold growth. It keeps its shape and its performance for decades. That makes it a smart choice for any below-grade or crawl space application in this area.

How We Install It

Every foam board installation starts with an inspection. We assess the space, identify any existing moisture problems, and make sure the surface is ready before we install anything.

Then we cut the foam board to fit the application and secure it. In crawl spaces and basements, we typically use construction adhesive and mechanical fasteners. At the rim joist, we cut the foam to fit snugly and seal the edges with spray foam insulation to eliminate air gaps.

The process is clean, relatively fast, and doesn’t create the dust or mess that some other insulation types do. All of our work comes backed by our Lifetime Labor Warranty.

Foam Board vs. Other Insulation Types

People often ask how foam board compares to spray foam or blown-in insulation.

Spray foam is better for odd-shaped cavities and for applications where you need both air sealing and insulation in one product. Foam board is better for flat surfaces and large areas where you need predictable, consistent R-value.

Blown-in insulation works well in attics and wall cavities but isn’t suitable for crawl space walls or below-grade applications where moisture is present. Foam board is.

The right choice depends on where the insulation is going and what conditions it’ll face. We’ll tell you honestly which product makes sense for your project.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Foam board makes sense for a lot of Virginia Beach homes, especially in crawl spaces and basements where moisture is a constant challenge. Schedule your free consultation and we’ll show you exactly where it fits in your home. We serve Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and all of Hampton Roads. Call 757-834-2059 or book online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What R-value does foam board provide?

It depends on the type and thickness. XPS typically provides around R-5 per inch. EPS is around R-3.8 to R-4 per inch. Polyiso runs R-6 to R-6.5 per inch. We’ll recommend the appropriate thickness for your application.

Can foam board get wet?

XPS and EPS are moisture-resistant and won’t lose significant R-value when exposed to moisture. Polyiso can absorb moisture and is better suited for protected applications. We’ll specify the right type for your conditions.

Does foam board need to be covered?

In living spaces, foam board products are typically required to be covered with a thermal barrier like drywall. In crawl spaces and unconditioned areas, products rated for exposed applications can be used. We follow all local Virginia building codes on every installation.

How does foam board compare to spray foam?

Both are effective insulators. Spray foam expands to fill irregular gaps and provides air sealing in one step. Foam board is better suited for flat surfaces and provides a predictable R-value. For crawl space walls and rim joists, we often use both together.

Do you remove old insulation before installing foam board?

If the existing insulation is damaged, moldy, or compromised, yes. Installing new insulation over damaged material doesn’t work. We’ll assess what’s there and let you know what needs to come out first.

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