The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published a consumer guide about the use of spray foam as a method of insulating residential properties.
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 guide covers topics such as what effects spray foam might have on a property’s roof structure, thermal performance and value, plus do’s and don’ts when installing insulation and how RICS-accredited members can help assess a 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.
