Building a commercial kitchen takes more than selecting equipment and creating recipes.
The building itself needs to support a comfortable, efficient environment that can handle changing temperatures, humidity, and daily operations.
That’s exactly what the owners of Hidden Spruce Lavender Farm in Michigan had in mind when they built a brand-new commercial kitchen on their property.
Known for producing lavender-based products ranging from skincare items and oils to soaps and body washes, the farm is expanding into baking and beverages. Soon, visitors will be able to enjoy lavender-infused cakes, cookies, muffins, and even freshly squeezed lavender lemonade made with ingredients grown right on the farm.
Before any of that could happen, however, the building needed to be properly insulated.
That’s where open cell spray foam insulation came into the picture.
• Hidden Spruce Lavender Farm chose open cell spray foam insulation for its new commercial kitchen.
• Open cell spray foam creates an air seal that helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
• Commercial kitchens benefit from insulation that can help manage heat and humidity.
• Open cell foam is flexible and easier to work with when future wiring or plumbing changes are needed.
• Proper insulation can improve comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term operating costs.
• Agricultural building insulation can help farm businesses create more usable and efficient spaces.
Many people think of lavender as something used in candles or essential oils, but lavender is surprisingly versatile.
At Hidden Spruce Lavender Farm, the owners already produce a variety of products using lavender and other flowers grown on-site. As the business continued to grow, they decided to expand their offerings by building a commercial kitchen.
The new space will allow them to create baked goods, beverages, and other specialty products using ingredients sourced directly from their farm.
Like many small business owners, they viewed the new building as an investment. To protect that investment and improve long-term energy efficiency, insulation became a critical part of the construction process.
Interestingly, this wasn't their first experience with foam insulation.
In fact, this was the third building they had insulated by the same RetroFoam dealer over the last five years, demonstrating the confidence they have in the product's performance.
For this project, the insulation crew installed open cell spray foam insulation in the wall cavities and ceiling.
When homeowners and business owners compare insulation materials, they often focus solely on R-Value. While R-Value is important, it doesn't tell the whole story.
One of the biggest spray foam insulation benefits is its ability to create an air seal.
As the foam expands during installation, it fills cracks, gaps, and voids that other insulation materials can leave behind. This reduces uncontrolled air movement through the building envelope.
In a commercial kitchen, controlling air movement can be just as important as thermal resistance.
With ovens, cooking equipment, refrigeration systems, and changing occupancy levels, indoor temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day. An air-sealed building helps create a more consistent indoor environment.
Commercial kitchens are unique spaces.
Unlike many other buildings, kitchens regularly deal with:
Because of these factors, maintaining a stable indoor temperature can be challenging.
This is why insulating a commercial kitchen requires more than simply meeting minimum code requirements.
By creating an air seal, open cell spray foam helps reduce air leakage that can contribute to uncomfortable temperature swings. The result is a building that is easier to heat and cool throughout the year.
For business owners, that can translate into greater comfort and potentially lower energy costs over time.
One question people often ask when they see a wall cavity completely filled with spray foam is:
"What happens if I need to add wiring or plumbing later?"
This concern is understandable, especially when looking at a newly insulated structure.
The answer depends on the building type.
For this commercial kitchen, electrical systems must remain visible and accessible to comply with commercial building codes. Because of that, wiring runs outside of the insulated wall cavities.
In residential homes, pole barns, and many agricultural buildings, the situation is different.
One advantage of open cell spray foam insulation is its flexibility. The material remains soft and pliable after installation, making it easier to work around if future modifications are needed.
Electricians and plumbers can often fish wiring or piping through open cell foam more easily than they can through rigid insulation materials.
Although this project focuses on a commercial kitchen, many of the same benefits apply to farm building insulation projects.
Agricultural buildings often serve multiple purposes. A single structure might be used for storage, processing, retail sales, workshops, or event spaces.
As farms continue to diversify their operations, insulation becomes increasingly important.
Open cell spray foam insulation can be an excellent choice for:
By creating an air seal, spray foam can help these buildings remain more comfortable and energy efficient throughout the year.
For farm owners looking to maximize the usefulness of their buildings, insulation is often one of the smartest upgrades they can make.
Once the foam has been sprayed into the wall cavities, the work isn't finished.
A crew member returns to trim excess foam so it sits flush with the wall studs.
This step is important because drywall must sit flat against the framing. Any foam extending beyond the studs could create installation issues later.
During trimming, a significant amount of foam is removed from the wall cavities. While this can temporarily make the job site look messy, a quality contractor will clean up the debris before leaving the project.
When the trimming and cleanup are complete, the building is ready for the next phase of construction.
Small business owners understand the value of every dollar spent.
Whether it's upgrading equipment, improving operations, or investing in a new building, every decision affects the bottom line.
That's one reason why energy-efficient improvements are often a priority.
The owners of Hidden Spruce Lavender Farm recognized that building a comfortable, efficient space today can provide benefits for years to come.
When a structure is properly insulated and air-sealed, heating and cooling systems don't have to work as hard to maintain indoor temperatures.
For many businesses, this can help reduce energy waste while creating a more comfortable environment for employees and customers alike.
Every building is different, but open cell spray foam insulation can be an excellent option for many commercial and agricultural applications.
If your goals include, then open cell spray foam may be worth considering.
From commercial kitchens and farm stores to workshops and pole barns, properly installed spray foam insulation can help create a building that performs better year-round.
The new commercial kitchen at Hidden Spruce Lavender Farm is a perfect example of how thoughtful building decisions can support long-term business goals.
By choosing open cell spray foam insulation, the owners are creating a space designed for comfort, efficiency, and year-round performance.
Whether you're building a commercial kitchen, upgrading a farm building, or planning a new agricultural facility, insulation is about more than R-Value. Creating an effective air seal can make a meaningful difference in how a building performs for years to come.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of foam insulation, check out our Learning Center.
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The best insulation depends on the building's design and goals.
Open cell spray foam insulation is often chosen because it creates an air seal while helping maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
Commercial kitchens experience frequent temperature changes, humidity, and heat generation.
Air sealing helps reduce unwanted air movement, making it easier to maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
Yes.
Open cell spray foam is commonly used for agricultural building insulation in pole barns, farm stores, workshops, and processing facilities because it helps improve comfort and energy efficiency.
Compared to more rigid insulation materials, open cell spray foam remains flexible after installation, making future wiring and plumbing modifications easier in many applications.
One of the primary spray foam insulation benefits is reducing air leakage.
When less conditioned air escapes the building, heating and cooling systems can operate more efficiently.