Your existing commercial building\’s roof is leaking in Wisconsin, and you need a reliable fix — fast. You\’re not the only person in this situation, either.
Research shows that the roofing market worldwide is slated to grow from more than $102 billion in 2020 to $156 billion in 2030 — a growth rate of more than 4%.
If you\’re looking for both an efficient and cost-effective commercial roofing option, consider getting spray foam roofing. Here\’s a rundown on everything you need to know about a foam roof, from how it\’s applied to the foam roof cost.
Let\’s dig in!
What Is a Spray Foam Roof?
A spray foam roof is a roof made from polyurethane foam. The roofing material is sprayed in liquid form, then expands into a sturdy foam. This will create a firm layer across your existing roof.
The foam roof material is produced by pumping isocyanate and polyol/resin from their own containers through hoses that are high-pressure and heated. These two chemicals then go into a spray gun, from which they are applied to your roof.
The spray foam material is used for repairing and reinvigorating a roof by taking out saturated sections, replacing these areas with similar materials, and applying foam to the entire top of your roof.
This type of roofing has been used for decades and offers the advantage of being useful in all climates. When they are properly installed and kept up, they can last for decades.
Benefits of Spray Foam Roofing
One of the top benefits of spray foam roofing is that it has a higher R-value than other roofing materials, like metal roofing, do.
R-values indicate insulating materials\’ capacity to resist the flow of heat. A higher R-value translates to greater insulating power.
This means less cool air or heat will end up passing through the insulating material. As a result, you\’ll use your commercial building\’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system less often, thus minimizing your energy costs.
Your contractor can advise you on the proper foam roof thickness to choose to maximize your energy savings.
Yet another reason to choose spray foam roofing is the fact that it is renewable. That\’s because you can easily re-coat it as needed. However, you shouldn\’t have to worry about re-coating it for a decade or two if the roof if installed correctly.
You\’ll also love the fact that a spray foam roof is seamless. This means it is watertight, therefore reducing your chances of experiencing roof leaks.
On roofs that have seams, the seams begin to separate with time, therefore allowing water to enter the seams. The water can then freeze, thaw out, and break apart your seams even more.
How Foam Roofing Is Applied
Before you can have a foam roof installed, a roofing company will need to prepare your existing roof. Instead of stripping the roof, they will probably remove all contaminants, dirt, and dust. The contractor may do this through sweeping or vacuuming.
The contractor will then apply polyurethane foam to your roof\’s substrate. Afterward, they\’ll put an elastomeric silicone or acrylic coating featuring embedded granules on top of the foam layer. This second layer will help to protect your roof from normal wear, ultraviolet light, and weather.
When the installation is finished, it will produce a durable, moisture-resistant, renewable, and seamless foam covering for your roof. This material can be applied to roofs of all slopes.
What\’s great about spray foam roofing is that your project likely won\’t require any tear-off. In addition, because the roof is spray applied, the material can easily go around any penetrations in your roof. These penetrations range from drains to skylights, pipes, and vents.
Spray foam roofing also requires less equipment and material compared with a traditional roofing system.
How Spray Foam Roofing is Maintained
To maintain your spray foam roof, inspect it regularly, especially after a severe weather event. For instance, look for damage and punctures caused by a hurricane, tornado, or hailstorm. In this way, you can catch these problems early to prevent water from leaking into your facility.
If your foam roof does end up experiencing minor damage, like a tiny incision, you can simply cut out your roof\’s defective area with a knife. Then, dry out the area, place caulk on it, and smooth out the caulk.
Foam Roof Cost
A spray foam roof will cost you a few dollars per square foot for both labor and materials.
Although the roof\’s upfront cost may be hefty, especially for a large building, the roof will quickly pay for itself with its longevity and energy savings. In fact, you can expect your cooling and heating cost savings to pay you back for the roof in under a decade.
Also, because these roofs can be installed quickly, this will lead to less interruption of your business and minimize your labor costs.
How We Can Help
Foam roofing offers the benefit of being energy efficient and a financially good investment long term. It is also quick to install and relatively easy to maintain.
Fortunately, at Yutzy Roofing Service, we can install a new spray foam roof for you to replace a leaky, storm-damaged, or old roof in Appleton, Wisconsin, and other Wisconsin cities. Our roofs hold up well to weather and are the perfect solution if you\’re battling weather-related issues, like ice dams and freezing/thawing.
Contact us to learn more about our spray foam roof options, and get a free quote today!
