Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing

Whether you are currently planning new construction or reroofing an existing roof, Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing is for you. This is because it lends itself well to all types of roofing situations, from traditional flat roofs to unusual designs. Foam roofing systems can be applied rapidly, with little or no disruption to the facilities. In most reroofing situations there is not even a need to remove the existing roof.

Spray Polyurethane Foam has been used as a roofing and insulation material for over 40 years. At one time it was considered to just be an alternative to built-up roofing; foam roofing now protects a wide range of buildings. During this time, foam roofing systems have proven themselves through comprehensive, independent studies to be dependable, long lasting, and very affordable. Today there are foam roofs that have been in place for over 4 decades, and by all appearances they should be able to last indefinitely as long as they are properly maintained.

Replacing an Existing Roofing System

Because of its light weight, Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Roofing can be applied over already existing roof installations. It can be applied directly over asphalt, shingles, built-up roofs, clay tile, concrete, metal, and wood. This saves the need for tear-off, reducing the amount of time, disruption to the business, even the debris in landfills. The roof has to be properly prepared by cleaning off any loose debris and aggregate, and by making sure that it is completely free of moisture.

Repairing a SPF Roof

When a foam roof gets minor mechanically induced damage from equipment or personnel, repairing the roof can be done with a caulking gun. Larger penetrations into the roof can be temporarily sealed with caulking as well, but it is recommended that the contractor should permanently seal the area with a new layer of topcoat.

Polyurethane Foam roofing can sometimes develop blisters, the most common cause of which is due to the presence of moisture. The majority of blisters do not pose a threat to the integrity of the foam roofing system. Unnecessary repair attempts can result in leaks and premature roof problems. If repairs are warranted, it should be left to the roofing contractor to properly repair them.

• Seamless: Polyurethane foam is applied as a liquid, creating a single monolithic membrane that covers the entire roof. There are no seams or joints, the source of the majority of leaks in traditional roofs.
• Conforming: The foam can be sprayed onto virtually any surface, irregularly shaped roofs and protrusions are readily taken care of.
• Lightweight: Foam roofing typically weighs around 50 lbs. per square, versus 800 lbs. for a built-up roof and 100 lbs. for ballasted single-ply roofs.
• Thermal Insulation: SPF has the best insulating properties available for commercial construction today.
• Sustainability: Foamed roofs require a minimum of upkeep, creating little waste and have an indefinite lifespan.

The Texas A&M Testimonial

In 1980, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas began reroofing their facilities using polyurethane foam. Texas A&M kept careful records on the performance of their new roofing system and found they have reaped reductions in maintenance costs as well as decreased energy expenses. Now with over 7 million square feet of polyurethane foam in place, Texas A&M uses nothing else for new or remedial roofing.
For a number of years, Mr. Gerald Scott, P.E., was in charge of roofing and energy conservation within the Texas A&M Physical Plant Department. After achieving their main goal of preventing roof leaks, Mr. Scott began monitoring the energy savings of the sprayed polyurethane foam roofs (SPUF). Mr. Scott monitored the energy savings on 27 different buildings that had received a SPUF roof from 1980 to 1984. The results were astounding. TAMU was able to recover the complete cost of the roof application through energy savings in an average of four and one-half years.

Quoted here is Mr. Scott’s conclusion which is shared by today’s Physical Plant Department:
“From the time of their construction, and throughout the life of the roof, built-up roofs were major maintenance and repair items. The experience that the Texas A&M University Physical Plant gained since 1974, when the program began, indicates that no major problem, and very few minor ones, exist in the polyurethane roof systems. As a result of this experience, all new construction includes the foamed polyurethane roof system. To date some 16 new facilities have this roof system totaling nearly one million square feet.”