Spray polyurethane foam is a remarkable material that can provide for a range of benefits when employed as roofing. If the concept of a “spray-on” roof seems odd or gimmicky, we invite you to consider the exceptional range of benefits this material can provide. SPF roofing represents one of the most sustainable, cost-effective, and water-resistant roofing materials available. It also works wonders as insulation, and can save serious money on your monthly energy bills. At Freetail Roofing, we are great proponents of this material, and can provide a complete range of services for the installation and upkeep of foam roofing in Austin, TX. If you’d like contact us to discuss SPF roofing on your commercial structure, call (512) 299-6576.
The Benefits of Spray Foam Roofing
The potential for superior rooftop insulation serves as one of the primary benefits of spray foam roofing. This material can not only contain the treated air within your facility, it can also reduce the impact of UV radiation when properly coated. Many types of traditional roofing simply absorb the heat and radiation that beats down upon them. This absorption leads to a great increase in the surface temperature of the roof. An extremely hot roof will radiate heat down into the structure, raising the interior temperature and increasing the workload on any AC units. For certain facilities, such as those that offer a commercial refrigeration service, any increase in temperature will have a costly impact on energy bills. In addition to its insulating properties, https://www.cocinarepair.com/commercial-hvac-service/commercial-refrigeration-repair-contractors/spray foam roofing provides for a vast assortment of other benefits. If you remain undecided over whether spray foam can ideally serve your commercial structure, consider the following list of benefits.
- Seamless Protection
- No More Flashing Leaks
- No More Ponding
- Lightweight
- Exceptional Versatility
- Rigid and Not Vulnerable to Sagging
- Adjusts to Temperature Extremes
- Watertight
- Long Lifespan
- Easy Install with No Disruption
- Simple to Maintain
One of the most important features of a spray foam roof is that it leaves no joints or seams for the passage of water and air. Since it is seamless and conforms to any surface, foam roofing furthermore leaves no need for troublesome flashing. Flashing generally represents one of the most vulnerable areas on a roof, so its replacement is no small advantage. Foam roofing can also correct and resist ponding through extra application in areas vulnerable to this issue. Once fully cured, spray foam becomes exceptionally rigid, and will resist the development of new ponding areas. Despite this rigidity, SPF roofing remains adaptable to temperature fluctuations, and can readily expand and contract to prevent cracks. This versatility combines with the material’s inherently watertight nature to drastically reduce the appearance of leaks. Spray foam roofing also provides an excellent return on investment, since its thermal resistance and insulating properties allow it to pay for itself through energy savings over the course of five to eight years. As for overall longevity, foam roofing can last for an incredible 50 years if properly cleaned and maintained.
Spray Foam Roof Repair and Installation
Repair needs for SPF roofing are typically minimal, since the material has a great degree of durability, and resists damage from common sources like sunlight and temperature fluctuations. As for storms, they can accomplish little against foam roofing. Thanks to a total lack of seams, the material is highly resistant to high winds. The lack of seams and an overall watertight nature also make it impenetrable to rainfall. As for hail, a serious barrage will only damage the very top of the material. In the face of hailstorms that would devastate any other roof, SPF roofing may require, at worst, a thin re-coat.
As for installation, SPF roofing sprays on quickly to provide a seamless covering for any roof substrate. This material is also highly versatile, and works well as roofing material for new and old structures alike. The lightweight nature of foam roofing can pay major dividends for older structures with an existing roof. When the day finally comes to replace the old roof, you can simply spray SPF directly over the top, with no worries about an added burden to your facility’s structural support elements.
How to Spray Foam Roof Material
The application of spray foam roofing, when done correctly, consists of several steps. In order to ensure proper application and the full value of your roofing investment, you should only trust SPF roof installation to the kind of trained and experienced personnel you’ll find at Freetail Roofing.
- Surface Prep: Foam roofing requires a clean and dry surface for proper adhesion. This can sometimes necessitate the removal of old or rotting roofing material.
- Material Prep: A foam roof requires the proper mixture and interaction of two materials which, when brought into contact with one another, create the chemical reaction that leads to SPF roofing’s 30x expansion.
- Application: A professional installer will determine the necessary thickness for optimal service, along with the need for additional layers in areas prone to ponding. The material is sprayed onto the roof substrate, where it quickly expands and hardens, a process that takes only minutes. For a quality job, a trained contractor will apply the material in multiple 1/2 to 1-inch layers.
- Protective Coating: For the sake of its longevity, a foam roof should always have a protective coating. Generally, the same types of roof coatings used on other commercial materials will suffice for this requirement.
Paint for Foam Roof and Other Features
This last point, the application of a protective layer over the top of SPF roofing, is indispensable for the realization of your roof’s true value. Often mistaken for paint, the thin layer of material applied to most foam roofs is actually an elastomeric coating. Popular options include polyurea, silicone, and acrylic, all of which provide the UV resistance that foam roofing lacks. While SPF is highly resistant to water, it cannot claim the same durability in the face of UV radiation. In the absence of an elastomeric coating, a foam roof will gradually deteriorate and come nowhere close to its full lifespan of 50 years.
Common Questions About Foam Roofing
Can You Walk on a Foam Roof? Yes, you can absolutely walk on foam roofing. The material has a support rating of 50 pounds per square inch, which enables it to support a great deal of weight. How Long Does Spray Foam Take to Cure? Spray foam roofing may harden in minutes, but can take six to eight hours to fully cure. Can You Insulate a Flat Roof? If used as a roofing material, spray foam serves as its own insulation. For other types of flat roofing materials, insulation can prove tricky. However, with proper planning, you can employ spray foam as interior insulation at the earliest stages of the construction process. How Long Does Spray Foam Roofing Last? If properly maintained and covered with an elastomeric roof coating, spray foam can provide quality service as roofing for up to 50 years. Is Spray Foam Safe? Generally speaking, absolutely. You would not want to inhale the fumes that SPF emits throughout the installation process, but after the material dries and cures, it presents no safety hazard whatsoever. At Freetail Roofing, we provide not only for the quality installation of foam roofing, but also its upkeep, repair, and maintenance. If you need support or repairs for your Austin, TX commercial foam roof, give our team a call today at (512) 299-6576. Our friendly staff will happily answer any questions you might have, and can also schedule service appointments.