Spray Foam Roofing

Spray foam roofing (SPF) is an innovative technology revolutionizing the roofing industry. Spray foam provides a highly durable, energy-efficient, and flexible system of insulation and protection for your home or business. The application involves spraying a mixture of polyurethane foam directly onto the roof’s surface, creating an airtight seal that will last for years. This sealing action also helps to reduce energy costs by trapping heat inside during colder months and keeping cool air in during hotter ones.

The most significant advantage of spray foam roofing is its longevity; it can last up to 50 years with proper maintenance, making it one of the most cost-effective long-term solutions on the market today. Additionally, it requires minimal preparation or installation time before becoming operational because it’s applied directly onto existing surfaces – such as asphalt shingle roofs.

SPF adheres to just about everything, so it can be installed over concrete, wood, steel, and most existing roof systems, saving on the expense of roof removal and landfill fees. SPF Roofing installers can spray apply a tapered roof system with the foam, eliminating the need for costly tapered insulation systems. The cants and vertical wall terminations are also spray-applied to make them an integral part of the roof system and to minimize additional component costs.

Learn More About Austin SprayFoam Roofing Benefits

  • Leak-free monolithic seal over your entire roof deck
  • Self-flashing
  • High insulation value / rapid payback with energy savings
  • Strong adhesion and wind uplift resistance
  • Weather resistant
  • Lightweight and high strength
  • UL and FM-approved systems

Turns from Liquid to Solid Monolithic Protective Roof Shell

Sprayed Polyurethane Foam is applied as a liquid using plural-component spray equipment to fill cracks and crevices. It then expands approximately 30 times its original liquid volume to form a hard, closed-cell monolithic roof surface. The Polyurethane Foam dries within seconds after being applied to the roof surface, and its expansion results in a weather-tight roofing membrane that is fully adhered to the substrate. Because polyurethane’s lightweight adds little additional weight to the structure and is often used in remedial applications. Polyurethane Foam has a history of more than 35 years as a maintainable roofing medium. Polyurethane Foam adds excellent insulation value to the structure, and utility bills can reflect the difference. Once the SPF has been applied to the proper thickness and finish specifications, a protective layer of elastomeric coating or gravel is applied. This protective layer produces a durable, weather-resistant surface that can be walked on for regular maintenance.

Durability

When most people hear of a “foam” roof, they automatically think of the type of soft foam similar to that used for seat cushions and are concerned that they won’t be able to walk on it without causing problems or damaging the roof. Foam roofs are durable and can handle foot and construction traffic, as well as other shelters. They are still susceptible to damage from dropped tools, just like any other roof, but the damage is more easily seen and can most often be repaired with simple polyurethane caulking.

Density & R-Value

The density of SPF is essential when it comes to strength and Thermal Resistance. Higher density means increased power and higher R-value. Most SPF roofs have densities ranging from about 2.5 pounds per cubic foot to 3 pounds per cubic foot. Three-pound density foam has a compressive strength of about 50 psi and an R-value of 7.14 installed and 6.86 aged (these numbers may vary slightly depending on the foam manufacturer).

Here’s an example of how well a good SPF roof insulates. A school district in southern California had recently installed some new, one-room relocatable classroom buildings. During the late spring and early fall, these classrooms were using their air conditioners for an average of 50 minutes every hour. The school district installed foam roofs on some of these classrooms to see if they would save energy. The tops consisted of three-pound density foam, 1.5 inches thick, with an acrylic coating system. The air conditioner usage was cut down to fifteen minutes every hour. That’s a fifty-eight percent savings on energy costs.

Does this mean an SPF roof pays for itself? Absolutely! Texas A&M studies indicate that an SPF roof in Texas and other southern climates can pay for itself in approximately four and a half years.

Lifespan

If the coating for an SPF roof is maintained correctly, then an SPF roof can last a very long time. Depending on the type and amount of coating installed every ten or fifteen years, the roof will need to be cleaned, primed, and recoated. If this is done, then a quality SPF roof could last 50 years or longer.

Cost

As with all other roof systems, the cost depends on several factors. These include building accessibility, the project’s complexity, foam thickness, foam coating system, and geographical location. Prices may start at about $2.50 per square foot for a cheap system and go up.

Protective Coatings for Spray Foam Roofs

Once the SPF has been applied to the proper thickness and finish specifications, a protective layer of elastomeric coating or gravel is applied. This protective layer produces a durable, weather-resistant surface that can be walked on for regular maintenance. More…

Energy Star – Cool Roofs Program and Benefits

ENERGY STAR-qualified roof coating products reduce the amount of air conditioning needed in buildings and can reduce energy bills by up to 50%. The Cool Roof Program defines specific standards for reflectivity and maintenance of reflectivity in roof coating systems. These light-colored roof coatings reflect the sun’s heat and UV rays and often lower the roof’s temperature by up to 100 degrees. More…

SPF Roofing Installation

Installation of SPF involves different procedures based on the existing roof structure. It is essential to be familiar with all state and local building codes to ensure the appropriate materials and processes meet the requirements in your area. More…