Product Information

Detailed Overview
How Spray Polyurethane Foam works

Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is a simple two-component system. It functions on the principle reaction of a resin with an expanding agent to create a seamless waterproof membrane.

SPF starts as two separate chemical compounds in separate 55 gallon drums, often referred to as “A” and “B,” which come from the industry’s highest rated manufacturing plants. The “A” and “B” compounds are pumped through a series of heaters and direct proportioning pumps to create a perfect 1:1 mixture. Forced out at high pressure as a hot liquid, the mixture hits the roof deck and immediately begins to react. The product becomes a rock solid material with a weight rating of 40 psi (compressive strength). Calculated times 1 square foot, this allows more than 5,760 pounds per square foot.

This seamless, closed cell, waterproof membrane is the ultimate solution for both the average and the unusual roofing application. As the only product whose shape and form are unlimited by conventional means of construction, SPF is the most adaptable and versatile roofing system available.

Qualities of an SPF roof

Green: SPF roofs improve indoor air quality, produce no HCFCs or CFCs, and provide the highest insulating value in the industry. SPF roofs also contribute to a LEED certification. Click here to read more.

Highly Energy Efficient: An SPF roof system is the most energy efficient roof available. Most heat enters industrial and commercial buildings through the roofing system. The roof acts like a giant heat sponge soaking up all the heat from the sun. That heat is then slowly transferred into the entire building. The heat transfer process can take time, and it continues long after the sun has set. The building may only be exposed to the sun an average of 12 hours per day, but the heat continues to move throughout the entire building long after the sun has gone down.

Due to thickness and insulation value, the SPF roofing system blocks all of this heat before it has a chance to move into the rest of the building. SPF has over one million closed cells per square inch, and amounts to a value of R-6.5 per inch. This reflects significant lower energy costs. Below are examples of how well a good SPF roof insulates:

1.   In a Texas study, a school district in southern Texas installed some new, one-room relocatable classroom buildings.

During the late spring and early fall, these classrooms were using their air conditioners an average of 50 minutes every hour. The school district installed foam roofs on some of these classrooms in order to see if it would provide an energy savings.

The roofs consisted of three pound density foam, 1.5 inches thick with an acrylic coating system. The air conditioner usage was cut down to fifteen minutes every hour. That’s a fifty-eight percent savings on energy costs.

2.   Texas A&M studies indicate that an SPF roof in Texas and other Southern climates can pay for itself in 5 years, 2 months.  To read more, click here.

Rugged: Rigid SPF exhibits superior compressive strength and provides excellent resistance to mechanical damage from outside elements.

Seamless: Because SPF is self-adhering and sprayed in place, there are no seams, channels, complex flashings or overlapping edges for water to seep through. The product keeps liquid water out, but allows water vapor to escape so that there are no moisture traps in the building.

Weather Resistant: SPF roof systems provide the best possible protection from the elements. This roof system evenly disperses precipitation and ice in the winter and enhances evaporation in the summer.

Wind up-lift resistance: Properly applied, an SPF roof creates a chemical bond with the surface to which it is applied creating a tight “bite” into the steel deck. This eliminates the possibility of SPF separating from the deck as there are no opportunities for the wind to penetrate underneath. These roofs do extremely well in hurricanes, as noted regularly by our customers. To review testimonials, click here.

Low Maintenance: All these factors and more combine to make SPF the easiest system to maintain. With proper installation, an SPF roof will last indefinitely with periodic renewal of the coating. The cost of recoating an SPF roof every 8-10 years over a thirty-year period comes out to a fraction of the cost of maintaining or replacing most conventional systems.

SPF Roofing – Top Benefits Elimination of air infiltration – the major reason for loss of energy. Impressive insulation of R-6.5 per inch initial value and R-7 per inch aged value. Real strength without significantly increasing weight on roof. Works with virtually all existing roof surfaces. Highly resistant to hurricane-force winds. Corrections to damaged and/or poor drainage. Non-absorption of water due to the foam’s closed-cell roofing system. Reduced sound transmission. Cost effective to install and maintain over many years vs. traditional roofing systems. Texas A&M studies indicate that an SPF roof in Texas and other Southern climates can pay for itself in 5 years, 2 months. To read more, click here.