The roof is the part of the house that gets exposed to harsh weather elements such as strong wind, hail,
and snow which is why it must be durable enough to withstand repeated exposure to such conditions. One type of commercial material that promises to provide long-term protection for these destructive elements is called spray foam roofing or SFR.
Characteristics
The uniqueness of this material is that some material can only meet its expected lifespan under certain weather conditions; SFR provides that same protection under almost any atmospheric condition including hot, cold and wet conditions. Spray foam is actually made of polyurethane that comes in liquid form and can be sprayed directly into an area and then slowly start to expand and harden into sturdy foam.
Advantages
This unique material has many benefits that should be carefully considered.
- Structural Integrity – One of the advantages of SFR is that it can improve the structural integrity of a roof particularly when using high density and a thick application. Once the solution expands and hardens, it will form a tenacious bond with the surrounding structures and beams, adding to the strength of the entire roofing system.
- Weather Proof – Roofs are expected to provide protection from weather extremes whether it is hail or strong wind; however, not all material can provide sufficient protection; SFR is durable enough to survive extreme battering from the elements. It is soft enough to absorb the impact of hail, while at the same time solid enough to resist uplift during heavy winds. In fact, the Louisiana Superdome now has the very same roofing system because it is so durable.
- Installation – Due to the fact that foam starts out in liquid form makes it relatively fast and easy to install. The solution is simply sprayed into place and allowed to dry. It can also be sprayed underneath conventional shingles to provide additional structural strength to that material and act as a secondary barrier in case water penetrates the shingles.
- Seams – The most common point of origin of leaks are the seams on the roof. The constant movement caused by wind and thermal expansion causes the seams to loosen and become a passageway for water to seep through. With SFR, there are no seams as the material dries as an entire unit so there are no seams through which water can leak.
- Waterproof – Polyurethane foam is virtually water proof, so during the winter when snow is piling up on the roof, water will not seep through because even with standing water, not a drop can penetrate a SPF system.
- Energy Efficient – One of the beneficial characteristic of polyurethane foam is that it is a highly effective insulator. The same material is used as wall insulation to preserve the indoor temperature and keep the outside temperature from penetrating; the same benefit can be enjoyed when using SPF. There is no longer any need to install any additional insulation between the rafters because the foam will already serve as an insulator.
- Cost – The biggest benefit of all is probably the low cost of using SPF. This system only costs $3 to $5 per square foot to install compared to other commercial roofing materials which range $10 and higher. Because of its durability, continuous repairs will be a thing of the past. In addition, SFR can last an average of 26 years before replacement is required.
Spray foam is a relatively new roofing material but has numerous benefits at a very low cost. Hopefully this article has provided helpful information regarding the benefits found with SFR and how it can reap great savings when used!
Are you looking for a Houston commercial roofing specialist? Schulte Roofing of Navasota provides commercial roofing services to the greater Houston area and will take care of all commercial roofing needs!