Caddo Parish seat on the Red River
Spray Foam Insulation in Shreveport, LA
Most homes here were built before 1980, long before today's energy code. We seal and insulate them for 90-degree summers.
- Free on-site estimates
- Written quote naming foam type, thickness and R-value for each area
- Moisture and air leaks checked before anything gets covered
Insulating a City Built Mostly Before 1980
Spray Foam Insulation in Shreveport usually means catching up an older house to a hot, humid climate. Census estimates for 2019-2023 put the median year a Shreveport home was built at 1973, and roughly 64% of the city's housing went up before 1980. The 1960s and 1970s alone account for about 38% of homes. Most of those houses were framed before Louisiana had a statewide energy code, and many still have their original attic insulation, settled down to a few inches.
What summer does to these houses
Shreveport's 1991-2020 climate normals at the regional airport show an average July high of 94.3F and an average August high of 94.9F, with about 91 days a year reaching 90F. Average relative humidity is 72%. In that weather, a roof in direct sun heats the attic far past the outdoor temperature, and ductwork running through that attic picks up heat before cool air ever reaches a vent. Gaps around recessed lights, plumbing stacks and the attic hatch let that superheated, damp air drift into the rooms below.
Where we start in a Shreveport house
In neighborhoods full of postwar ranches and split-levels, the first stop is the attic. We measure what is there, look for the stained, dirty patches in old insulation that show where air has been moving, and check the ducts. Then we seal the ceiling and either blow in insulation to depth or, where the air handler sits in the attic, foam the underside of the roof deck. Houses on pier-and-beam foundations get a look underneath too, because humid air under a cool floor can soak batts and rot sills.
Code targets and what they mean for you
Louisiana adopted the 2021 International Residential Code effective July 1, 2023, treating the whole state as Climate Zone 2 for energy purposes. New homes need R-38 in the ceiling and R-13 in wood-frame walls under that summary. Existing homes do not have to upgrade, but the Department of Energy's recommendation for an attic in this zone is R-49 to R-60 when it is empty, or R-38 to R-49 added over 3 to 4 inches already in place.
Rain, ice and the occasional freeze
Shreveport gets about 51 inches of rain a year and has seen temperatures from -5F to 110F. Winter ice and sleet storms show up often enough that pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls deserve attention. Spray foam around exposed plumbing in an outside wall or a crawl space helps on both ends of the thermometer.
Tell us which rooms are hard to keep cool. Get a free estimate or call (318) 378-5233.
What to Know in Shreveport
- Housing age. The median Shreveport home was built in 1973, and about 64% of homes predate 1980, per 2019-2023 American Community Survey figures reported by Point2Homes.
- Summer heat. Shreveport's 1991-2020 normals list average highs of 94.3F in July and 94.9F in August, about 91 days a year at 90F or hotter, and 72% average relative humidity (Wikipedia climate table).
- Housing mix. The 2020 census counted 89,523 housing units in Shreveport, and about 73% of its housing is single-unit detached homes (Wikipedia).
- State energy code. Louisiana's 2021 IRC took effect July 1, 2023; the whole state is Climate Zone 2, with R-38 ceilings, R-13 walls and a 7 ACH50 air leakage limit for new homes (Insulation Institute).
- Utility help. SWEPCO's weatherization page says it helps pay for insulation and air sealing through approved contractors, at no cost for households meeting federal poverty guidelines.
Shreveport Questions
Is spray foam worth it in an older Shreveport ranch house?
Often in parts of it, not always everywhere. In a 1960s or 1970s ranch, sealing the ceiling and blowing in insulation to R-49 can be the best value, while foam pays off under the roof deck if the ducts are in the attic, or in a damp crawl space. We price the options side by side.
How much does spray foam insulation cost in Shreveport?
National guides put installed spray foam at about $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot (HomeGuide), and an attic in an existing home at $2,500 to $12,000 (Fixr). Your price is the written estimate we give after measuring.
Do I need a permit to insulate my attic in Shreveport?
Insulation-only work in an existing home often does not need one, but rules change and remodels or roof work may. Check with the city's permit office for your project, and we will tell you if the scope we quote usually needs one.
Is open-cell or closed-cell foam more common in Shreveport homes?
Under roof decks, open cell is the usual choice in this climate because it costs less per inch. Closed cell shows up on crawl space walls, rim joists and metal buildings, where moisture is the bigger concern.
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