Last week we discussed The Building Code & Foam Plastic Insulation.
This week I want to give you some insight into the big picture of the spray foam insulation industry because as Bob Dylan sang:
The Times They Are a Changin’
A few weeks ago, I went to the ICAA Convention in Denver, it’s the Insulation Contractor’s Association of America annual event that brings together insulation contractors, insulation manufacturers, suppliers and equipment companies.
Historically, this tradeshow has been dominated by fiberglass and cellulose manufacturers, of course, because the contractor membership has primarily been fiberglass and cellulose contractors for many years.
However, over the past few years, there has been a significant rise of the spray foam insulation presence at this tradeshow, both in the exhibitor booths and in the business of the attendees.
This year more than 50% of the tradeshow offered, represented or, was somehow associated with spray foam insulation, and I find this absolutely fascinating.
When I think back just 10 year ago, the average spray foam contractor was an owner/operator with only one or two rigs. He focused on the custom residential construction market and came from significantly varied backgrounds. Some of them had construction experience but many of them just had investment money and a dream to be in business for themselves; this included professionals with enough money to hire a team, retired military vets and a number of airline pilots.
These entrepreneurs got involved in the relatively new and upcoming industry of spray foam insulation, knowing that the target market was very focused, custom residential construction.
And to think how the industry has changed.
Today the use and applications of spray foam have grown so significantly that there are several distinct markets:
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Custom Residential
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Production Residential
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Residential Retrofit
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Light Commercial
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Large Commercial
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Commercial Retrofit
