1. Massachusetts and Florida Are Completely Different Climate Zones

Florida = Climate Zone 1–2
Massachusetts = Climate Zone 5–6

These zones decide:

• What R-values you need

• What types of foam are allowed

• Whether you need a vapor retarder

• How moisture moves inside the home

• How the roof and walls behave seasonally

Florida homes need to keep heat OUT.

Massachusetts homes need to keep heat IN.

Florida foam is not “bad.”
It’s just made for the wrong job.

2. MASSACHUSETTS REQUIRES MUCH HIGHER R-VALUES

Most Florida installs are:

• Open-cell spray foam

• 5–6 inches

• R-18 to R-22 in roof decks

• R-13 in walls

• R-6 in rim joists

Those numbers do NOT meet MA code — not even close.

Massachusetts Code Requirements:

• Attic/Roof: R-49 to R-60

• Walls: R-21+

• Floors: R-30

• Basements: R-10 continuous (or R-15 cavity)

If you spray a Florida-style job in Massachusetts:

• Your attic fails

• Your walls fail

• Your basement fails

• Your HERS score fails

• Your inspection fails

• Moisture forms behind the foam

• Roof sheathing becomes cold and wet

A Florida-style R-22 roof deck is less than HALF of what you need in Worcester.

3. Moisture Behavior Is Opposite in Cold Climates

Florida Moisture

Moisture moves from outside → inward
Houses must breathe outward

Massachusetts Moisture

Moisture moves from inside → outward
Warm indoor air hits cold surfaces → condensation

Open-cell foam in the North:

• Lets vapor through

• Gets wet

• Holds water

• Allows roof sheathing to rot

Massachusetts requires:

• Vapor control (class II or class III)

• Closed-cell foam in many locations

• Proper R-value to keep sheathing warm

Florida foam has none of those protections.

4. Massachusetts Bans Certain Blowing Agents

MA is one of the states that prohibits HFC blowing agents
because of environmental laws.

Florida still allows products that Massachusetts completely bans.

So even if the foam type is the same (open-cell, closed-cell),
the chemical composition is not.

Massachusetts requires ultra-low GWP blowing agents only.

If a contractor uses foam purchased in Florida:

• It may be illegal here

• It won’t pass inspection

• It won’t pass Mass Save

• It may void manufacturer warranty

This is a big reason “Florida foam” fails immediately.

5. Open-Cell Foam Cannot Be Used the Same Way in Massachusetts

Florida installers LOVE open-cell foam.
It’s cheap, easy, fast, and great for hot climates.

But in Massachusetts, open-cell can only be used:

• With an added vapor retarder

• At thicker R-values

• NOT on cold roof decks

• NOT in basements

• NOT in crawl spaces

• NOT in metal buildings

Using Florida-style open-cell in an MA attic causes:

• Wet sheathing

• Mold

• Frost

• Dripping roof

• Rotting plywood

• Failed roof integrity

Closed-cell foam is required in many key areas because MA homes face:

• Snow loads

• Freeze/thaw cycles

• Subzero nights

• High humidity in summer

Florida foam simply isn’t built for that.

6. The Sheathing Must Stay Warm — Florida Installs Don’t Do That

In Massachusetts, if the roof sheathing gets too cold,
condensation forms behind the foam.

Florida-style thin open-cell installs do not keep sheathing warm enough.

To prevent moisture in MA:

• Closed-cell foam must be thick enough to meet dew point control

• Roof deck must stay above certain temps

• Vapor flow must be blocked

Florida foam does NONE of that.