The Process of Foam Roofs

March 6, 2013 – Scottsdale, Arizona
Foam roofing is a efficient and cost effective choice of roofing material. Polyurethane roofs provide more insulation and protection. These roofs are water proof and have a layer of protective coating that lengthens the life-span of the roof. It allows home owners to elongate the life of their roof without having to replace it.

Many people think of foam roofing as a new invention. The fact is that Spray Polyurethane Foam has been used as a roofing and insulation material for nearly 50 years. In the beginning it was discovered that mixing resin with a surfactant would create an excellent water barrier as well as insulator. During the subsequent years, foam roofing systems have proven themselves to be durable, affordable, and good for the environment.

Foam roofing systems are especially well suited to the Arizona heat. A Polyurethane Foam Roofing system offers energy savings on both cooling and heating costs, with savings as much as 50% on monthly energy bills. Studies performed by Texas A & M on their own roofs show the energy cost reduction obtained by applying Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing paid for the cost of the roofing in a little over three years. Spray foam roofing systems provide many benefits to building owners, such as; waterproofing, insulation, and superior compressive strength, yet they are lightweight, self-flashing, and durable. In addition, Polyurethane Foam Roofing can be installed over concrete, wood, steel, even your and other existing roof systems which may save you the expense of roof removal and dumpster or landfill fees.

Post by Arizona Native Roofing.

What is a foam roofing system?

The Process of Foam Roofs With Arizona Native RoofingA foam roofing system is applied as a liquid by a roofing professional. It quickly dries to a solid, seamless blanket of insulation that covers your entire roof surface. It is designed to provide a waterproof, weather resistant covering for your building. It has no seams so it is impossible for your roof to leak. Your roofing professional will finish off with a protective elastomeric top coat which is usually sprayed on as well. A Polyurethane Foam roof will expand and contract do to temperature changes, so the elastomeric top coating must be able to stretch with the foam and then return to its normal shape later. The elastomeric top coating produces a durable weather resistant surface that can be walked on for normal maintenance and is also strong enough to withstand the Arizona elements. Using a reflective, Energy Star qualified roof coating product will bounce sunlight and radiant heat away from your building, helping the structure stay cool and reducing energy costs by up to 50%. The Cool Roof Program sets certain standards for reflectivity in roof coating systems. These light colored roof coatings reflect the suns heat and UV rays and can lower the temperature of the roof by nearly 100 degrees. Traditional roofing can absorb as much as 90% of the sun’s rays!

Not only does a Polyurethane Foam Roofing system save you money on energy costs, it also reinforces your roof, and prevents future leaks.

The New Orleans Super Dome is roofed with sprayed Polyurethane Foam that withstood winds of 200 miles per hour. It is also used by NASA to adhere to the surface of the external fuel tank of the space shuttle and withstand wind shear over 1000 miles per hour. Polyurethane Foam is a self-adhering, waterproof, insulating membrane.

Today there are foam roofs that have been in place for decades, and there is no reason they can’t last indefinitely if they are properly maintained. Maintenance consists of simply recoating every 15-20 years. A Polyurethane Foam Roofing system provides a permanent solution for both residential and commercial buildings and is often 100% tax deductible in the first year as a maintenance or repair deduction.