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Commercial Spray Foam

Canal Boat Spray Foam Insulation

Commercial canal boat spray foam insulation for steel craft and hire fleets — closed-cell Enverge foam beats hull sweating and condensation, keeping cabins dry, warm and fit-out ready across the whole fleet.

EnvergeAgrément 09/4610
25-yrProduct Warranty
FleetSpec Consistency
Canal Boat Spray Foam Insulation by ThermoFoam — Duratite Group
Overview

Why spray foam for canal boats

A steel canal boat is essentially a thin steel skin between a warm cabin and cold water. That skin is a continuous cold bridge, and without proper insulation, warm cabin air condenses on it — the familiar 'hull sweating' that soaks linings, corrodes steel from the inside and leaves bilges wet. Closed-cell spray foam tackles this at source by warming the internal surface and sealing it against moisture in one operation.

For fleet operators, consistency matters as much as performance. Spraying Enverge closed-cell foam gives every boat the same monolithic, self-bonded insulation layer regardless of cabin shape or fit-out stage. There are no batts to compress, slip or leave gaps, and no mechanical fixings to work loose with the constant vibration and flexing of a working craft moving lock to lock.

ThermoFoam fits in with builders' and operators' programmes, spraying at the fit-out or re-fit stage before joinery goes back. The foam is sprayed onto prepared bare steel, expands to seal every rib and curve, then is trimmed flush so battens, ply and linings can be installed straight over it — keeping the fleet's turnaround tight between seasons and charters.

Why spray foam

The benefits for canal boats

One Fleet Spec

Apply the same closed-cell insulation across every boat for consistent warmth, dryness and predictable re-fit life.

Beats Hull Sweating

Warms the internal steel surface above dew point so condensation stops forming on cabin sides and the baseplate.

No Fixings To Loosen

Foam self-bonds to the steel and won't slip, compress or work loose under the constant flex of a working craft.

Fit-Out Ready

Sprayed and trimmed flush so battens, ply and linings install straight over it, keeping fleet turnaround tight.

Protects The Asset

A dry, sealed hull resists internal corrosion and rot, extending the working life of each boat in the fleet.

Low Maintenance

Rigid, durable closed-cell foam needs no upkeep between charters, ideal for hard-worked hire and commercial craft.

Closed-cell spray foam applied to canal boats by ThermoFoam
The system

Fleet-Grade Hull Insulation

Operators running multiple steel canal boats need one consistent, durable insulation spec across the fleet. Our closed-cell Enverge foam self-bonds to each bare hull, sealing cabin sides and baseplate against the cold water line so every boat handed back to a hirer is dry, warm and free of the hull sweating that drives re-fit costs.

Sprayed onto prepared bare steel, Enverge closed-cell foam expands and self-bonds to the canal boat hull, forming a rigid, low-permeability layer over cabin sides, baseplate and ribs. Raising the internal steel surface above the cabin dew point removes the cold surface that drives hull sweating — delivered to one repeatable spec across an entire fleet.

  • One consistent closed-cell spec across the whole fleet
  • Self-bonds to bare steel — no slipping batts or fixings
  • Stops hull sweating and protects against internal corrosion
  • 25-year manufacturer-backed product warranty
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Technical data

Enverge Nexseal LE — verified performance

Thermal conductivity λ0.027 W/m·K · BS EN 14315-1
Reaction to fireClass 1 · BS476 Part 7
Compressive strength78 kPa · BS EN 14315-1
Water vapour resistanceμ 62 · BS EN 12086

Typical published values for Enverge Nexseal LE closed-cell foam. Full technical specification →

In detail

Specification & compliance for canal boats

Steel hulls sweat: warm cabin air meets cold plate and condenses, corroding the vessel from the inside and soaking fit-outs. Closed-cell foam sprayed at 25–75 mm bonds directly to the hull and deckhead, following every curve, rivet and weld — surfaces rigid boards simply can't follow — and carries its own vapour barrier, so no separate membrane is needed.

Most narrowboats, widebeams and workboats are completed in one to two days. The foam adds rigidity, keeps condensation off the steel permanently, and is backed by a 25-year manufacturer product warranty.

Applied depth25–75 mm to hull and deckhead
ProgrammeMost vessels completed in 1–2 days
Vapour barrierIntegral — no separate membrane
CorrosionStops hull sweating at source
How it works

From enquiry to warranty

1

Enquire

Tell us about your canal boats & building.

2

Survey

Free survey of your canal boats & condensation check.

3

Specify

The right system for your canal boats.

4

Install

Approved applicators, minimal disruption.

5

Warranty

Handover pack & 25-year warranty.

Recent work

Real canal boats spray foam applications

Spray foam insulation applied to canal boats — real Duratite Group projectSpray foam insulation applied to canal boats — real Duratite Group projectSpray foam insulation applied to canal boats — real Duratite Group projectSpray foam insulation applied to canal boats — real Duratite Group projectSpray foam insulation applied to canal boats — real Duratite Group project
Proof

Commercial projects

Free survey

Get a quote for your project

Send us your building details and our technical team will specify the right system and a clear budget. No obligation.

01208 832 602Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm
info@thermofoam.co.ukWe reply within one working day
25-yr product warrantyDocumented, surveyor-ready installs
Book your free surveyNo obligation · we reply within one working day
FAQs

Canal Boat insulation, answered

Why do canal boats suffer from hull sweating?

The steel hull sits in cold water while the cabin is warm and humid, so the inner steel face stays cold and cabin moisture condenses on it. Closed-cell spray foam raises that surface temperature above dew point, removing the cold face the condensation needs to form.

Can you insulate a whole hire fleet to one spec?

Yes — that's a core reason operators choose spray foam. Every hull gets the same self-bonded, seamless closed-cell layer regardless of cabin shape, giving consistent warmth, dryness and re-fit life across the fleet rather than the variability of hand-fitted batts.

Will the foam handle the vibration of a working boat?

It's well suited to it. Because the foam self-bonds to the steel as it cures rather than relying on fixings or battens, there's nothing to slip, compress or work loose as the craft flexes through locks and runs lock to lock all season.

When in the build is the foam applied?

At fit-out or re-fit, before joinery goes back. We spray onto prepared bare steel, the foam expands to seal every rib and curve, then it's trimmed flush so battens, ply and linings fit straight over it — keeping fleet turnaround tight between charters.

What certification and warranty come with it?

The Enverge closed-cell system (Nexseal LE) is supplied with Duratite as the UK distributor of record. It carries a 25-year manufacturer-backed product warranty — never insurance-backed — so fleet operators have long-term assurance on every boat.

How long does boat insulation take?

Most vessels are sprayed in 1–2 days depending on size and access — far faster than batten-and-board methods.

Will it stop hull condensation completely?

Yes — closed-cell foam seals the steel so warm cabin air never reaches a cold surface, stopping the sweating that drives corrosion.

What depth is applied to a hull?

Typically 25–75 mm depending on the vessel and how it's used — specified after survey.

Insulate your canal boats the right way

Specialist commercial spray foam, installed UK-wide by the Duratite Group's spray foam specialists.

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