How Spray Foam Roofing Systems Benefit Commercial Buildings

Applying spray foam roofing systems and roof coatings to your commercial buildings is a viable common practice. It promotes the longevity of the roof and protects it from a wide range of weather conditions. 

While you might be used to taking care of leaks or maintaining your roofing system every couple of years, there are more cost-effective ways to take care of it. 

Spray foam roofing systems and quality roof coatings prove to be one of the best roofing options for commercial buildings. Here are four significant reasons spray roofing is an affordable and beneficial roofing option for almost all types of commercial buildings.

Requires Little to No Tear Off

When reapplying traditional roofing systems you will likely have to tear up what is already there. This involves not only tedious labor, more time wasted, and added materials to landfills,  but foremost an additional cost to your roofing system application. 

The best thing about a spray polyurethane roof foam is that it doesn’t require a long tear-off, as it can be appropriately installed over most types of roofing systems. Only a few wet areas may be required to be torn off, but that can be adjusted if adequately analyzed in the beginning using infrared or thermal scanning.

A properly installed and maintained spray polyurethane foam roof should not require re-coating for up to 10 to 20 years. 

The first application of the coating is usually applied at a nominal thickness of 20-30 mils.

On average, after 10 years, the coating could be reduced to a thickness of 7-10 mils, depending on the wear of the roof.

Many coating manufacturers offer extended warranties with each re-coat. This option, along with scheduled maintenance, allows a spray foam roof to be a truly renewable complete roofing system. 

Energy Efficient

Spray foam for roofs is specially formulated with closed-cell polyurethane foam, which makes it one of the best insulating materials on the market today. 

Spray foam roofing and coating systems present fewer heating and cooling leaks than traditional systems because of the monolithic seamless application. The entire closed cell spray foam roofing system is nearly impenetrable to water, which can save you more money and time lost to repairs in the long run.

Since no fasteners are required, spray foam roofing solutions represent the best way to eliminate thermal shorting in and out of your building at insulation joints and through mechanical fasteners into the roof deck, and its reflective nature also abates the build-up of urban heat islands, especially when paired up with an elastomeric top-coating.

Spray foam roofing and roof coating systems contain suspended insulating closed cells and a highly reflective elastomeric topcoat that is good at reflecting harmful UV rays and help maintain an optimum indoor temperature. It will keep your building cooler in summer and warmer in winter, improving your energy efficiency and reducing your utility bills. 

This all translates into drastically reduced energy costs for your building.

Easy Maintenance 

Foam roofs can last well over 20 years with proper maintenance. Foam roofs generally require a recoat 5-20 years after they are first installed. Your foam roof will still look new and be in good condition, but this doesn’t mean you can skip a recoat. 

The interval for recoating is based on the initial thickness of the elastomeric topcoat, the quality of the elastomeric topcoat, and how well the elastomeric weathers in the elements.

Spray foam roofing performs much better when reapplication of elastomeric is applied early rather than later. If you recoat late there may be additional roof restoration expenses because of additional potential surface preparation.

As with any roof type, inspection and regular cleaning are imperative to ensure that it can last for as long as possible. The same principle is true for your spray foam roofing system.

Keeping your foam roof clear of debris by sweeping it or gentle pressure washing will help increase its longevity. Also, keeping foot traffic to a minimum and not putting furniture on it will also help you maximize its lifespan.

Weather Resistant 

Following 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) took a close look at how various roofing and insulation materials hold up during extreme weather events… 

They found that spray polyurethane foam insulation is especially durable, serving as a reliable high-wind performer and also being more tolerant of impact, such as from hail, than other systems. 

Spray foam roofs also provide greater uplift resistance because they’re held in place together without fasteners. That means it’s completely 100% attached to the roof deck, so there are no weak points in the roof and it’s less susceptible to wind uplift.  

Because the system is monolithic seamless, wind and the elements have a much harder time penetrating the roof system. Also, because the foam is 100% spray-applied it adheres and seals off any protrusions or special features of the roof system. 

With spray foam, everything on the roof becomes part of the roofing system, which means that pipes, ledges, parapet walls, etc. contribute to the rigidity of the system instead of weakening it as other systems do.

The strength of the foam acts like a shock absorber against the impact of hail. On the off chance the top foam layer is crushed, the lower foam level will remain intact, continuing to act as a moisture barrier. 

A basic SPF roofing system can typically withstand the average size of hail, slightly smaller than a golf ball, with only a small depression left in the foam and no cracks in the coating.   

Rugged Roofing System

Stop wasting your time and money on two roofing products, from two different companies, with conflicting warranties, frustrating customer service teams, and no guarantee they’ll work well together.

Rugged Coatings is providing the same reliable coating products you’re used to, with the industry’s best spray polyurethane roof foam products engineered to work together for superior protection. 

We’ve partnered with our sister company, Accufoam®, to bring you the highest-performing roofing system available.

Protect your work with a unified roofing system created to bond with unwavering strength.