Roofing
As mentioned in the Insulation section urethane foam roofing systems over the years also have experienced negative opinions in there functionality and performance. We believe this comes solely from the fact that the applicator was not qualified. For some reason there are applicators that believe their foam can be applied up and over, around and under, and on whatever is attached to the roof, many times creating more problems than originally being paid to fix.
As with any roofing system there are designs for a foam roof system that need to be followed including flashing details, expansions joints, curbing on penetrations etc. an applicator like K-5 Contracting that knows and institutes the proper design can provide a complete urethane foam roofing system for either new construction or re-roofing that will outlast and out perform any other roof system on the market today.
Why a urethane foam roof system?
- Seamless – Sprayed polyurethane foam forms a seamless insulated roofing system. It has no joints or seams that often allow outside water and air to pass through the roofing system into the building structure.
- Eliminates flashing leaks – Sprayed polyurethane foam conforms to the substrate and when installed, is a seamless system, it is ideal for flashing parapet walls, equipment, skylights, and cooling towers. Many roof leaks are caused by faulty flashings. Sprayed polyurethane foam solves this problem.
- Elimination of troublesome ponding water – In re-roofing applications, ponding water may be eliminated by adding an increased thickness of polyurethane foam in low areas. Building up the low areas and sloping the roof so that it drains properly will eliminate ponding water and the additional load factor that is caused by water accumulation.
- Lightweight – The weight of polyurethane foam is between 2-3 pounds per cubic foot. One inch of polyurethane foam roofing weighs approximately 60 pounds per 100 square feet, as compared to approximately 600 pounds per 100 square feet for a typical conventional four-ply built-up roofing system. This makes a sprayed polyurethane foam system ideal for re-roofing, as it is often possible to apply over an existing built-up roof without removing it.
- Highest “R” value – Sprayed polyurethane foam has an aged “R” value of 6.2 – 6.5, enabling it to provide more thermal resistance with less material than any other insulation. In most cases, a polyurethane roof will pay for itself in just a few years in energy savings.
- Chemically stable – Sprayed polyurethane foam, although inert, must be protected from sunlight by a U.V. resistant elastomeric coating. It is odorless, resists attack by either mildew or fungi and has no nutritive value.
- Minimizes thermal shock – Because a polyurethane foam roofing system is seamless, has a high “R” value and is covered by a reflective elastomeric coating, it greatly reduces the thermal shock to which a building is subjected because of fluctuating outdoor temperatures.
- Versatility – It can be used on both new and replacement roofs, whether flat, pitched, saw-toothed, domed or having unusual slopes or configurations. It is also ideal for spray application to tanks, freezers, coolers, piping, ductwork and various projects.
- Rigidity – While sprayed polyurethane foam is very lightweight, it is strong and will not pack down or sag.
- Flexibility – It has the ability to withstand a structure’s normal expansion and contraction without affecting the ability to keep the structure protected from the outside elements.
- Watertight – Polyurethane foam is made of billions of minute closed cells which resist the penetration of water and vapor. It must, however, be protected by an elastomeric coating suited for use in that particular environment.
- Long lasting – The elastomeric coating system, which protects the polyurethane foam, can be rejuvenated by the re-application of additional coatings when the initial coatings system has weathered after many years of service.
- Ease of application – A sprayed polyurethane system can be applied in a relatively short period of time with little or no disruption of building operations by an experienced, qualified polyurethane foam contractor.
- Ease of maintenance – Minor repairs or modifications to a polyurethane system can be made by in-house maintenance personnel at minimal cost. All that is needed is a hand caulking gun and a tube of caulking.