Today we will be discussing "PUF" - Polyurethane Foam which is also commonly referred to as "SPF" - Sprayed Polyurethane Foam. Sprayed Polyurethane Foam has been used as a flat roofing system since the 1960's and have demonstrated service life well beyond 20 years. I believe this is a roofing system who's time has come and we'll discuss the many reasons why later in this article.
So what is Polyurethane Foam?
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Sprayed Polyurethane is comprised of two products; Iso ("a") and Resin ("b"). These two products are applied using plural component spray equipment. The two liquid components mix at the nozzle of a high pressure gun at a 1:1 ratio. Once the combined product hits the roof deck an exothermic reaction takes places and millions of individual closed foam cells form. These cells rise 30-35 times the original liquid volume and form a hard, closed cell monolithic roof surface that is fully adhered to the substrate. The product dries in seconds, and because it is lightweight, it adds very little load to the structure.
After 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 normal maintenance. SPF is tough, however, it must be protected by elastomeric coatings (acrylic, silicone, urethane) or other coverings (such as aggregate) to prevent ultra-violet-induced surface degradation. Such coverings can also be used for other purposes, including, inhibiting moisture vapor transmission, enhancing the aesthetics of the system, increasing the impact and abrasion resistance of the system, achieving non-flammability, meeting code requirements, or increasing energy efficien
cy.Benefits of Spray Foam Roof Systems
- Leak free monolithic seal over your entire roof . No seams, no heat welding, no glues.
- Self flashing- forms a tight weatherproof seal as soon as applied, eliminating the need for counter flashing.
- High insulation value - Approximately R-6 per inch - higher than any other product on the market. .Also because there are no fasteners, gaps or seams like other insulation products - there is no thermal bridging. You get TRUE insulation value over the entire roof.
- Reduces or Eliminates Standing water - Polyurethane Foam can be applied to create slope to drain, substantially reducing standing water and creating positive slope.
- Rapid payback with energy savings- High Insulation value combined with High reflectivity and high emissivity make this roof system extremely energy efficient.
- Strong adhesion and wind uplift resistance- because the system is fully adhered it is nearly impervious to high winds. A recent study conducted in Florida (where Hurricanes have created the toughest wind uplift standards in the country) concluded that Polyurethane Foam Roof systems are the best choice.
- Weather resistant- the tough Elastomeric Surfacing combined with embedded granulation make todays Polyurethane Foam Roof systems as tough as nails.
- Lightweight and high strength- Sprayed Polyurethane Foam roofs weigh less than 1lb per square foot and have a high density of 2.8 - 3.0 lbs per square foot - easily capable of withstanding the toughest conditions.
- UL, FM, Energy Star, and "Cool Roof" approved.
- Renewable - Foam roof systems have a proven service life of 20 years and longer. When properly maintained these systems can be resurfaced with an additional layer of Elastomeric sealant and continue to protect the structure.
When it comes time to re-roof your building make sure you consider Polyurethane foam. It may be the best choice!
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