FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Real answers to the questions Canadian SPF contractors ask most often about pricing, financing, delivery, chemical storage, rig maintenance, safety, and brand compatibility.
Pricing & Ordering
How much do spray foam chemicals cost per set in Canada?+
Chemical set pricing varies by system (open-cell vs. closed-cell), formulation, and order volume, and it shifts seasonally with raw material costs. Contractor accounts get volume-tiered CAD pricing rather than a single list price — request contractor pricing and our team will quote your account based on your typical order size.
Is there a minimum order quantity for chemicals or parts?+
Parts and small components can generally be ordered individually. Chemical sets are sold by standard set sizing (55-gallon drum pairs) with pallet and bulk order options for higher-volume accounts — there is no requirement to buy a full pallet on your first order.
Do you offer contractor/wholesale pricing accounts?+
Yes. Contractor accounts qualify for volume-based chemical pricing tiers and net-terms invoicing on repeat orders. Setting up an account takes a short verification of your business, after which pricing is applied automatically to future orders.
Can I lock in pricing ahead of the spring/summer busy season?+
We offer seasonal pre-buy programs that let established contractor accounts lock in chemical pricing ahead of the spring rush, when demand and raw material costs typically climb. Ask your account rep about pre-buy timing before the season starts.
Do you charge in CAD, and are there cross-border duties on any products?+
All pricing is in Canadian dollars. Because our chemicals, parts, and equipment are warehoused domestically, contractor orders are not subject to the cross-border duties, customs delays, or currency conversion that come with ordering directly from a U.S. supplier.
Financing & Getting Started
Can I finance a spray foam rig if I'm a new/startup contractor?+
Financing is available to new and startup contractors, though approval terms typically differ from an established multi-year business. Lenders generally look at your business structure, personal or business credit, and a down payment — our team can walk you through what a first-rig application looks like.
What's the typical down payment for a financed spray foam rig?+
Down payment ranges depend on the lender, the contractor's credit and time in business, and whether the rig is new or refurbished. Established contractors with strong credit history typically see lower down payment requirements than first-time buyers — ask for a pre-qualification estimate specific to your situation.
Do you offer lease-to-own options on proportioners?+
Yes, lease-to-own structures are available as an alternative to a traditional term loan, letting contractors spread out equipment cost while building toward ownership. This can also be bundled with a chemical supply agreement for contractors who want predictable monthly costs.
How much does a fully equipped spray foam rig cost in Canada in 2026?+
A fully equipped rig — trailer or truck-mounted, proportioner, generator, heated hose, and gun — commonly runs in the $150,000 to $250,000+ CAD range depending on proportioner brand, output rating, and new vs. refurbished condition. Get a specific quote based on your target daily output and crew size.
What's the difference between buying new vs. a refurbished rig?+
A new rig carries a full manufacturer warranty and the latest proportioner technology at a higher upfront cost. A refurbished rig costs less upfront and can be a strong option for a first rig or a second crew, provided it has been properly serviced and comes with documented maintenance history — we can help evaluate total cost of ownership either way.
Delivery & Logistics
How long does chemical delivery take across Canada (Ontario vs. Alberta vs. remote areas)?+
Delivery timelines vary by region: urban centers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia typically see the fastest turnaround through established freight lanes, while Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and more remote or northern job sites run on longer standard freight schedules. Your account rep can give you a specific estimate for your delivery postal code.
Do you ship to northern/remote job sites?+
Yes. Remote and northern deliveries are handled through freight partners equipped for longer routes and less frequent service schedules. These shipments typically require more lead time than urban orders, so we recommend planning chemical and parts orders ahead of a remote job start date.
Is there a free-freight order threshold?+
Orders above a set volume threshold qualify for free freight, with the exact threshold depending on your region and product mix. Ask your account rep for the current threshold that applies to your delivery area.
How are temperature-sensitive chemicals shipped in winter without freezing?+
Chemical shipments moving through winter conditions are handled through temperature-controlled freight to keep A-side and B-side drums within a safe viscosity range during transit. This is especially important on longer routes to colder or more remote regions, where an uninsulated shipment risks arriving with degraded material.
Can I get emergency/rush delivery on parts if my rig goes down mid-job?+
Yes. Rush and emergency delivery options exist specifically for contractors whose rig is down mid-job — gun tips, mix chambers, pump repair kits, and hose components are stocked with same-week shipping in mind. Call our support line directly for downtime situations so we can prioritize the shipment.
Chemicals & Storage
What's the shelf life of open-cell vs. closed-cell spray foam chemicals?+
Shelf life varies by formulation and manufacturer, but both open-cell and closed-cell A-side and B-side chemicals degrade over time even when unopened, and B-side (resin/polyol) components are generally more sensitive to prolonged storage than A-side (ISO). Rotate stock on a first-in, first-out basis and avoid holding chemical inventory longer than the manufacturer's stated shelf life.
How should I store A-side and B-side drums over a Canadian winter?+
Drums should be stored in a heated space that stays consistently above the manufacturer's minimum storage temperature — generally above 50°F (10°C), with 70–90°F (21–32°C) preferred for spray-ready material. Uninsulated trailers, garages, or job-site storage that swing below freezing overnight are the most common cause of viscosity problems and off-ratio spraying come job time.
What temperature range keeps SPF chemicals viscosity-stable?+
Most SPF chemical systems perform best when held in the 70–90°F (21–32°C) range at the point of spraying, with a hard minimum storage temperature around 50°F (10°C). Below that range, viscosity climbs, pumps have to work harder, and ratio control becomes less reliable.
Which chemical formulation is best for cold-weather (winter) spraying in Canada?+
Winter-grade or cold-weather-rated formulations are designed to maintain more stable rise and yield characteristics when ambient and substrate temperatures drop, which matters for outdoor or unheated job sites through a Canadian winter. Ask your account rep which formulation in our catalog is rated for the temperature range you are spraying in.
What's the difference between HFO and older blowing-agent chemical systems?+
HFO (hydrofluoroolefin) blowing agents are the current generation of low-global-warming-potential formulations, replacing older HFC-based systems as regulatory requirements phase down higher-GWP chemistries. HFO systems are the standard we stock going forward, and we can advise on compatibility if you are transitioning an existing rig from an older formulation.
Can open-cell and closed-cell chemicals from different manufacturers be mixed or swapped mid-job?+
No — A-side and B-side components are formulated to work together as a matched system, and mixing components across manufacturers or between open-cell and closed-cell systems risks off-ratio spraying, poor yield, or equipment damage. Always run matched sets from the same manufacturer and formulation line.
Equipment & Rig Maintenance
Graco Reactor vs. PMC proportioner — which is better for a Canadian climate?+
Both Graco Reactor and PMC proportioners are used successfully across Canadian climates; the better fit for your crew depends more on output rate needs, parts availability in your region, and which system your crew already knows how to service. We stock parts and support for both, so the decision usually comes down to your typical daily output target and field-service preference.
How often should proportioner pumps and hoses be serviced?+
Pumps and hoses should be inspected on a regular schedule — many contractors check daily before spraying and perform deeper service at set hour intervals per the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. Heated hoses in particular should be checked for wear at connection points, since a failure there is one of the most common causes of unplanned downtime.
What generator size (diesel vs. gas) do I need to run a spray foam rig in Canada?+
Generator sizing depends on your proportioner's power draw and any heated hose or ancillary equipment running off the same unit, but diesel generators are the more common choice for Canadian rigs due to better cold-weather starting reliability and fuel efficiency over long job-site hours. Your rig or proportioner spec sheet will list the minimum generator output required.
How do I winterize my spray foam rig for cold-weather jobs?+
Winterizing typically means insulating or heating the chemical storage area of the rig, confirming heated hose systems are functioning at full wattage, checking generator cold-start reliability, and verifying that pump and gun seals are rated for the temperatures you will be working in. A pre-season winterization check catches most cold-weather failures before they happen on a job site.
What causes ratio/off-ratio spraying issues and how do I troubleshoot it?+
Off-ratio spraying is most commonly traced back to cold or improperly stored chemicals, worn pump components, clogged filters, or a hose that isn't heating evenly along its length. Start by checking chemical temperature at the gun, then work backward through the hose and pump — our technical support line can walk through troubleshooting steps by phone.
Safety & Compliance
What PPE is required by Canadian regulations for spray foam application?+
PPE requirements typically include chemical-resistant coveralls, gloves rated for isocyanate exposure, and appropriate respiratory protection based on the application and ventilation conditions, in line with provincial occupational health and safety rules and WHMIS requirements. Specific requirements can vary by province and job type, so crews should confirm current provincial OHS guidance for their work.
Do I need supplied-air respirators for closed-cell spraying?+
Supplied-air respirator (SAR) systems are commonly required or strongly recommended for closed-cell spraying, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces where isocyanate exposure risk is higher. Cartridge respirators may be acceptable in some open-air or well-ventilated conditions, but SAR systems are the safer standard for most professional closed-cell work.
What WHMIS/SDS documentation do you provide with chemical orders?+
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for every chemical product are available on request and provided with chemical orders to support your crew's WHMIS compliance obligations on site. Contact our support team if you need current SDS documentation for a specific product ahead of a delivery.
Brands & Compatibility
Are your guns and hoses compatible with both Graco and PMC proportioners?+
Yes — we stock guns and heated hose systems compatible with major proportioner platforms, including Graco Fusion/AP and PMC AP-2 configurations. Let your account rep know which proportioner your rig runs so we can confirm exact compatibility before you order.
Which chemical brands do you carry, and can I switch brands without changing my rig?+
We carry chemical systems from established manufacturers used across the Canadian SPF industry, and in most cases contractors can switch chemical brands without modifying their proportioner or gun setup, since the equipment is designed to run standard A-side/B-side systems. Ask our team about compatibility if you are considering a brand switch on your current rig.
Still Have Questions?
Talk directly to a specialist who understands chemicals, rigs, and parts — not a general call center.