Spray foam insulation kits like Froth-Pak 620 and 650 provide a convenient way to insulate areas of your home. But with two options available, how do you choose?
This comprehensive guide examines the key differences between Froth-Pak 620 and 650 to help you decide which is better for your insulation needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
Specs | Froth-Pak 620 | Froth-Pak 650 |
Yield | 1,200 board feet | 300 board feet |
Expansion | Up to 30 times original volume | Up to 30 times original volume |
Foam Type | Closed-cell polyurethane | Closed-cell polyurethane |
R-value | R-6.3 per inch | R-6.3 per inch |
Included Equipment | Hoses, applicator gun | Applicator gun |
Max Thickness Per Layer | 5.5 inches | 3 inches |
Cost Per Kit | Around $1,200 | Around $575 |
Cost Per Board Foot | Around $1 | Around $1.90 |
Best Suited For | Large insulation projects | Small insulation projects |
Availability | Specialty retailers | Home improvement stores |
Overview of Froth-Pak Spray Foam Insulation
Froth-Pak is a popular brand of polyurethane spray foam made by Dow Chemical. It comes in pressurized cans with two chemical components that mix at the nozzle to expand and cure into foam insulation.
Froth-Pak spray foam fully adheres to surfaces and expands to fill cracks and voids. It hardens within minutes to provide a seamless air barrier that insulates and minimizes air leaks.
The two main Froth-Pak options for home use are:
- Froth-Pak 620 – Designed for larger insulating projects
- Froth-Pak 650 – Made for smaller insulation jobs
While the products are similar, there are some key differences in their specifications and performance to consider when choosing between the 620 and 650 kits.
Froth-Pak 620 Overview
Froth-Pak 620 is the larger spray foam kit made for insulating attics, crawlspaces, basements, and more.
Here are the key details on the 620 kit:
- Covers up to 1,200 board feet
- Expands up to 30 times original volume
- Closed-cell polyurethane foam
- R-value of R-6.3 per inch
- Comes with hoses and applicator gun
The 620 kit contains enough material to insulate approximately 1,200 board feet when applied at 1 inch thick. It can cover larger areas by adjusting thickness.
The closed-cell polyurethane foam expands dramatically after spraying. It cures rigid and adds an insulating R-value of R-6.3 per inch.
Froth-Pak 650 Overview
Froth-Pak 650 is a smaller foam insulation kit designed for DIYers insulating smaller projects.
Here are the key Froth-Pak 650 details:
- Covers up to 300 board feet
- Expands up to 30 times original volume
- Closed-cell polyurethane foam
- R-value of R-6.3 per inch
- Comes with applicator gun
The 650 kit contains enough material to cover approximately 300 board feet at 1 inch thickness. It uses the same type of closed-cell polyurethane as the 620, so it provides an equal R-6.3 per inch.
This smaller kit is well-suited for insulating rim joists, ductwork, old windows, and other jobs that require less foam.
Compare Coverage and Yield
One major difference between the Froth-Pak options is the amount of foam they yield:
- Froth-Pak 620 yields approximately 1,200 board feet
- Froth-Pak 650 yields approximately 300 board feet
Board feet refers to the area the foam covers at 1 inch thick. To calculate board feet, multiply length x width.
So, the 620 kit covers around 1,200 square feet when applied at a 1-inch thickness. The 650 kit covers around 300 square feet at 1 inch thick.
You can adjust thickness to expand or decrease total coverage. Adding more inch(es) reduces the total square footage covered.
Consider the size of your insulating project and choose the option that allows at least 15% extra beyond your square footage calculations.
Performance Comparison
While the Froth-Pak 620 and 650 yield different amounts of foam, their insulating performance per inch is the same:
- R-value: R-6.3 per inch for both kits
- Air sealing: Closed-cell foam stops air infiltration
- Density: Around 2 pounds per cubic foot when cured
The R-value measures resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. With an equal R-6.3 per inch, both kits provide the same thermal performance.
The closed-cell structure also blocks air flow for better efficiency. The foam cures semi-rigid for long-lasting insulation.
So you can expect equivalent insulation, air sealing, and durability from both the 620 and 650 formulas.
Ease of Application
Applying Froth-Pak foam involves a straightforward process:
- Attach hoses to canisters
- Shake/rotate canisters to mix components
- Insert into applicator gun
- Adjust nozzle and dispense foam
- Allow foam to fully cure before trimming
The main difference in application is the 620 kit includes longer hoses and an applicator gun to make spraying large areas easier. The 650 kit only comes with the gun.
Also keep in mind the 650 formula needs to be applied in layers no thicker than 3 inches. The 620 can be applied in layers up to 5.5 inches.
Let the foam fully cure for several hours before excess trimming. Consider wearing PPE to minimize exposure to chemicals.
Overall, both kits are relatively easy for DIY application. The 620 may offer a little more convenience for large insulation jobs. But the process is essentially the same. Also watch the review video!
Curing and Dry Times
Froth-Pak polyurethane foam dries rapidly after application. Cure times are approximately:
- Tack-free: 30-60 seconds
- 90% cured: 15 minutes
- Fully cured: 1 hour
The foam reaches a tack-free state in 30-60 seconds after spraying. It cures to 90% full strength in about 15 minutes. Allow 1 hour or more for the foam insulation to become completely cured.
The 620 and 650 have equivalent cure times. Cooler temperatures may slow curing slightly. Both kits should be applied when ambient temperatures are between 60-100°F.
Cost Comparison
When comparing the cost of Froth-Pak 620 Vs. 650, consider both material prices and the yield per kit:
- Froth-Pak 620: Around $1,200 per kit
- Froth-Pak 650: Around $575 per kit
The 620 kit costs about double the 650 because it contains more material. However, the yield is four times greater (1,200 Vs. 300 board feet).
So the cost per board foot is lower for the 620 kit:
- Froth-Pak 620: Around $1 per board foot
- Froth-Pak 650: Around $1.90 per board foot
If insulating a larger area, the 620 provides more foam insulation for your dollar. For smaller projects, the 650 may be more cost-efficient.
Pros and Cons Comparison
To recap the key differences between Froth-Pak 620 and 650:
Froth-Pak 620 Pros:
- More foam yield (1,200 board feet)
- Lower cost per board foot
- Includes hoses for convenient application
Froth-Pak 620 Cons:
- Higher upfront cost per kit
- Only available at specialty retailers
Froth-Pak 650 Pros:
- Lower upfront kit cost
- Sold at many home improvement stores
- Ideal for small insulation projects
Froth-Pak 650 Cons:
- Less foam yield (300 board feet)
- Higher cost per board foot
- No hoses included
Also Read: Is Froth-Pak 200 Better Than 210?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The main differences are the size and coverage. Froth-Pak 620 is a larger kit designed to insulate about 1,200 square feet, while the 650 kit covers around 300 square feet. Both contain closed-cell polyurethane foam with an R-value of R-6.3 per inch.
The Froth-Pak 620 kit contains enough material to cover approximately 1,200 square feet at a thickness of 1 inch. Coverage can be adjusted by changing thickness.
Froth-Pak 620 provides an insulating R-value of R-6.3 per inch. So a 1 inch application gives R-6.3, while a 3 inch application provides around R-18.9.
Froth-Pak 650 covers about 300 square feet when applied at a 1 inch thickness. As with the 620, varying the thickness changes the total coverage.
Conclusion
Here are some recommendations on selecting between Froth-Pak 620 and 650 spray foam:
- For large insulation jobs (over 500 sq ft), the 620 is more cost-efficient.
- For small projects (under 200 sq ft), the 650 may be the better choice.
- Consider the convenience of included hoses with the 620 kit.
- Check local availability – 650 is more widely sold in home stores.
- Allow for 15% extra foam beyond calculated sq footage.
Be sure to read all instructions and take safety precautions when working with either Froth-Pak kit. Proper PPE is essential.
With their professional-grade insulating power, both the 620 and 650 kits are great options for air sealing and adding R-value to your home. Choose the size that best fits your specific insulation project requirements.