Spray Foam Insulation in Largo, FL

Spray foam insulation in Largo serves a city that grew from 1,547 residents in 1950 to 57,958 in 1980, according to Wikipedia, turning farmland into a bedroom community. ACS figures on Point2Homes put 34% of homes in the 1970s, with a median build year of 1978, and about 26% of the housing stock (about 12,198 of 46,806 units) is mobile homes.

Housing and values

The 2020 census counted 47,694 housing units, 15.1% vacant at the time. Census QuickFacts lists 61.7% owner occupancy and a $229,100 median owner-occupied value.

Flood-prone basin

Wikipedia notes that the McKay Creek basin in southwest Largo is prone to flooding. Homes in low areas should be checked for moisture before insulating walls or floors.

Climate

Largo's climate data list a 100F record high on July 5, 1995, a 22F record low on December 13, 1962, and about 49.58 inches of rain a year. Cooling dominates, but cold snaps do happen.

Code baseline

Pinellas County is in Climate Zone 2 under the 2023 Florida energy code, which lists R-38 for ceilings, R-13 for frame walls and R-6 interior or R-4 continuous for block walls. The Department of Energy suggests adding R-38 to R-49 over 3 to 4 inches of existing attic insulation.

Duke Energy Florida customers

Duke's posted prerequisites for its attic insulation program include a Home Energy Check within 24 months, an existing attic averaging R-19 or less and a Duke-approved contractor. Multifamily and manufactured homes are not eligible, which matters in a city with so many mobile homes.

Additions and Florida rooms

Many Largo homes have a family room or porch addition with a low-slope roof. Foam under the deck or a spray foam roof, plus sealing the joint with the main house, helps those rooms.

What 1970s homes need

Settled attic insulation, leaky ceilings and ducts in the attic are the common pattern. Sealing and insulating to R-38 or more, or roof deck foam where ducts are present, is the usual plan. Get a free estimate