Debunking the Polyurethane Foam Roofing Fort Worth TX Myths

Commonly known as SPF, Spray Polyurethane Foam is a kind of insulating foam plastic that is spray-applied on the roofs in the liquid form. After it settles down, the foam expands many times than its initial size in the liquid state. SPF has several physical properties and the density of the foam can be adjusted depending on the application. The polyurethane foam roofing Fort Worth TX experts are experienced and have technical training for using specialized equipment for applying it on the roofs in order to get the best possible results.
For roofing purposes, SPF insulates and removes thermal bridging between the gaps or fasteners in decking, all the while maintaining the integrity of the roofing systems, and ensuring their durability. According to the polyurethane foam roofing Fort Worth TX professionals, the life of the roof can be extended by recovering or re-coating in an average of 10 to 15 years period.

The Benefits of Using SPF for Roofing

According to the research conducted by the National Roofing Contractors Association, the National Roofing Foundation, and polyurethane foam roofing Fort Worth TX professionals, there are many benefits of using SPF for roofing, such as:

• Offers 15 to 30 years of leaf-free performance, as well as low maintenance
• The lowest lifecycle cost as compared to a wide range of roofing materials
• Is sustainable through re-coating
• Can be installed directly over existing substrate in a majority of retrofit situations, which in turn reduces landfill waste and costs.
• Offering the best wind uplift and resistance to hail in the market
• Known for improving building energy efficiency notably because of its capability to eliminate thermal bridging and superior insulation properties.

Polyurethane Foam Roofing Myths

The Polyurethane Foam Roofing Fort Worth TX experts recommend using SPF in a diverse range of applications. Although there are so many benefits of using this material for roofing purposes, there are a lot of misconceptions that keep people from considering this material for their roof system. In this post, we are going to debunk all those myths and bring out the real picture.

1.   SPF has not been used a lot for commercial roofing and doesn’t have a consistent reputation

The main reason behind this misconception is that even the reputable companies have made grave mistakes in the installation process. According to the polyurethane foam roofing Fort Worth TX professionals, either the commercial roofing companies have installed this roof system incorrectly or poorly, which is why this misnomer has emerged as a misconception in the industry. However, there are multiple studies and scientific research backing the point that SPF technology is highly effective for commercial roof protection. In 1995, the National Roofing Foundation conducted a research at Arizona State University that indicated durability and customer satisfaction is tied to SPF when used as a roofing material. The campus of Texas A&M University used this material on the roofs of its various buildings, utilizing over 7 million square feet of SPF, and said to have performed really well for over a period of 30 years.

2.   Walking on a SPF roof is dangerous and nearly impossible

This is not true at all. People can easily walk on a SPF roof and it’s not dangerous at all. Trust us, you don’t need to have ninja skills or spiked boots to walk on this roof, and just plain sneakers will be enough. Unless the building you are walking on is damaged internally and has weak supports, the SPF roof can easily sustain the load of a normal person.
The polyurethane foam roofing Fort Worth TX professionals recommend that people should wear soft sole shoes when they are walking on the roof, as sharp objects can penetrate or damage the foam. This is because the structure of SPF comprises of millions of tiny closed cells, and a hole poked among these cells can result in the penetration of the underlying substrate, which can result in a leak. The polyurethane foam roofing Fort Worth TX experts advise that if there is a hole in your SPF roof, you should apply a proper type of caulking or coating on it, as UV rays from the sunlight can cause damage.

3.   SPF roofing doesn’t last long

As mentioned above in the benefits section, SPF roofing can last for more than 30 years if they are maintained. Moreover, when elastomeric foam roofing is coated after regular intervals of several years, their life is extended to over 50 years. Not only that, you may only need to reapply elastomeric roof coating just once to achieve the desired service life.

4.   SPF roofing absorbs water

This is another popular myth regarding the SPF roofs. According to the polyurethane foam roofing Fort Worth TX experts, the SPF roofing material comprise of closed cells. This means that the millions of tiny closed cells don’t have gaps large enough to let the water penetrate and are immune to absorption. Even if you put a piece or block of SPF under water, it will remain dry and buoyant indefinitely. This is one of the reasons why SPF is used by polyurethane foam roofing Fort Worth TX experts in the hulls of sea vessels and flotation docks.
However, if the SPF roof is found to be soaking up water, this can mean two things, either the material components weren’t applied properly with specialized equipment and trained individuals or wrong material was used.

5.   SPF roofs are very costly

One of the decisive factors for choosing a roofing material is the cost of its installation, and a popular myth regarding SPF is that it is expensive. However, in reality, they are among the most affordable roofing systems that are available today, especially when you consider the reduced maintenance and repair costs and costs savings in terms of energy efficiency. Hence, if you are out in the market for purchasing roof system for your new or existing home or building, one of the best materials you can choose is SPF. However, make sure that you ask the polyurethane foam roofing Fort Worth TX experts providing the installation services about whether they are a viable option for your specific needs.