San Francisco Building Code: New Home Insulation Requirements & Best Options

Insulation Building Code for New Constructions in San Francisco

Are you building a new home in San Francisco and struggling to work out the requirements for insulation? Find the answers to your questions in USA Spray Me's guide on building codes!

>>Read the full guide here: https://www.usasprayme.com/blog/article9-SanFranciscoBuildingCodeNewHomeInsulationRequirements&BestOptions.html

In the guide, you'll find a breakdown of fiberglass and spray foam insulation and which one aligns best with the new building codes in San Francisco.

Why the State Regulates Insulation

San Francisco’s building codes are part of the California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which are put in place to reduce the environmental impact and energy use when constructing new buildings. With the new guide, USA Spray Me wants to help you and other homeowners make informed decisions before deciding on which insulation option will provide the highest comfort while adhering to regulations.

“USA Spray Me provides high-quality insulation solutions that meet San Francisco's building code requirements," a company spokesperson said. "Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you choose the right insulation material for your home - and making sure it’s installed to the highest standards.”

New Energy Code in 2025

As of January 1st, 2026, the 2025 Energy Code will be in full effect, with building code publication and market readiness activities starting on the 1st of January 2025. 

Here are some of the regulations you should know about:

U-Factor

One of the measures for energy efficiency is the U-factor, with lower values indicating better insulation performance. The maximum U-factor varies depending on the type of wall type, with heavy mass walls allowing for the highest value at 0.690 and wood-framed walls having the lowest value of 0.110. The U-factor is also used to determine the insulating properties of windows. 

R-Value

R-value is another important aspect that Title 24 regulates. Depending on the climate, wood frame constructions require at least R-30 to R-38 in roofs and ceilings but can be as high as R-49 in cold climates. For metal frame constructions, the R-value is also typically higher due to thermal bridging. 

For walls, the minimum R-value for external insulation is R-3.5 or a combined R-16 for internal and external insulation. 

Material Requirements

San Francisco’s building codes also prohibit the use of urea formaldehyde foam insulation unless it’s used for exterior side walls and has a 4 mm plastic polyethylene vapor retarder or a plastic sheathing vapor retarder to separate the material from the outsides.

“At USA Spray Me, we use polyurethane foam - a safe and reliable material that adheres to all current regulations and ensures high performance and long-lasting insulation for your property,” the company spokesperson explained.

>>Get expert help picking the right insulation at: https://www.usasprayme.com/blog/article9-SanFranciscoBuildingCodeNewHomeInsulationRequirements&BestOptions.html

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