Roof replacements are costly on any structure, but replacing the roof on a commercial facility can be particularly expensive. Unfortunately, roof replacements are simply a fact of life. Your roof is constantly exposed to the elements, and it is forced to stand up to wind, rain, snow, sweltering heat, and freezing cold. When it eventually succumbs to these relentless onslaughts, you want a replacement that is reliable, durable, and cost-effective. Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roofing systems offer a potentially attractive option with several advantages.
What Is SPF Roofing?
As the name implies, spray polyurethane foam roofing systems make use of a spray-on foam that coats the surface of your existing roof. The spray expands and hardens after it is applied, forming the actual roofing surface. While there are a few restrictions to when and where SPF roofing can be used, in general it is suitable for most commercial roofs. SPF roofing is not a structural element, however, so the underlying roof must be sound. If there are serious structural flaws in the existing roof then they will need to be repaired before the SPF coating can be applied.
The Advantages of SPF Roofing
SPF roofing has become common on commercial buildings because it offers many advantages over other, more traditional roofing surfaces. Perhaps most importantly, SPF roofing is highly energy efficient. The foam itself acts as a highly effective insulator, helping to keep heat out of your building during the summer and to trap heat inside during the winter. Additionally, SPF roofing makes use of UV-resistant top coats since the foam itself is not UV resistant. These top coats help to reflect thermal energy away from the roof, going one step further to keep your building cool.
While better energy efficiency will save you money on long-term energy costs, it's not the only way that SPF roofing can help your bottom line. Foam roofing is also very low maintenance when compared to other types of roofing. Your foam roof should be inspected once every few years to look for problems but otherwise requires no regular upkeep. When problems are found, they can almost always be fixed with simple spot patches.
SPF Roofing Installation
Installing a foam roof is a fairly quick process, especially when compared to other, more traditional roofing styles. Since the foam is sprayed directly onto the existing roof surface, it is generally not a disruptive process for workers inside the building aside from the need to shut down the HVAC system during installation. This means that installation can be scheduled during normal business hours and there is no need to close up shop for one or several days as roofing installation takes place. The short installation time also helps to reduce labor costs.
Is It Right for You?
Foam roofing offers many advantages and is a great choice for flat roof commercial structures. Its energy-efficient characteristics and low maintenance costs are great for your long-term bottom line, and the straightforward installation means that roofing replacement need not be disruptive to your business. While installation can be more costly than some alternatives, the maintenance and utility savings will usually recoup those costs in 4–5 years.
Call a foamroofing system installation service today for more information.
After struggling with the appearance and structural integrity of my home, I realized that I had to do something to make a difference. I realized that part of the issue had to be the roof, since the home had been in my family for years and nobody had ever addressed the roof before. I met with a roofing team to talk about the problem, and they were instrumental in helping me to get things sorted out. After a few renovations, things had really improved, and I felt like things were on the up and up. I wanted to start a blog that focused on finding roofing for your home, so check out this blog.