As one of the first foam roofing contractors in the San Francisco Bay Area, Armstrong Foam Roofing has had to answer frequently asked questions (FAQ) about spray foam roofs and what they have to offer owners of flat roof homes and commercial buildings. Spray foam roofing may have been around since the 1970s, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that people began to notice it and realize its great potential as a roofing system for low-sloped and flat roofs including the Eichler homes of Northern California. Foam roofing, or Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF), has gained popularity over the years because it offers excellent waterproofing and insulation in one application and with proper installation and maintenance, your foam roofing system can protect your home for a lifetime.
Some of the Most Important FAQs about Foam Roofing In San Francisco
Is spray foam roofing energy efficient?
Foam roofing is one of the most energy-efficient roofing materials available today. As a matter of fact, it is over 500% more efficient than conventional roofs. San Francisco Bay Area homeowners who replace their BUR roofs with foam roofing often reduce their heating and cooling costs by up to 40%. Research by Texas A&M University has shown that the energy savings from foam roofing’s high energy efficiency levels can pay for its cost within 3 to 4 years. It’s the first intelligent roofing technology for flat and low-sloped roofs, combining insulation and roofing into one material.
Is spray foam roofing durable?
Spray foam roofs that Armstrong Foam Roofing installs are durable enough to withstand regular maintenance of HVAC units, compressors, skylights, and whatever other systems may be installed on them. The roofing system is formed using solid closed-cell sprayed polyurethane foam that is protected with special UV layers and white ceramic granules. The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) and National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) state that SPF roofs can sustain up to 50 pounds per square inch (PSI) which is strong enough to support the weight of any person. The foam density used by Armstrong Roofing is rated at 3LB which means that our roofs have the highest quality roofing foams available today. The 3LB foam used offers high insulation values, strength, and exceptional longevity.
Is spray foam roofing waterproof?
One of the main reasons spray foam roofing is ideal for flat roofs is the fact that it is seamless. This is extremely important since it eliminates the issues resulting from expansion and contraction that permit water and microbes to seep in and damage your roof. What’s more, foam roofing eliminates the possibility of roof leaks caused by faulty flashing because SPF roofing conforms to any substrate when installed. This makes it ideal for flashing parapet walls, equipment, skylights, and cooling towers.
How long does foam roofing last?
With proper installation and maintenance, your spray foam roofing system can protect your home for a lifetime. You only have to recoat it every 20 years to ensure it keeps performing like new. Studies conducted by Dr. Dean Kashiwagi, and Dr. Renee Dupuis, between 1983 and 1996, found that the physical properties of foam roofing do not diminish over time. Kashiwagi found that 97.6% of roofs that were over 25 years old did not leak and 93% had less than one percent deterioration! These statistics are even more impressive when we take into consideration that 55% of those roofs were never maintained.
Is spray foam roofing environmentally friendly?
According to Oak Ridges National Laboratories (ORNL), foam roofing is also classified as a sustainable or green roofing system since it has “a long life, low maintenance, saves energy, adds durability to buildings, controls moisture in buildings, and contributes very little to the waste stream.” SPF roofing systems comply with every criterion referred to by ORNL.
How often do you have to recoat a foam roof?
Cleaning and repairing may be necessary since weather conditions, dust/dirt and foot traffic can cause the coating to break down after a 20-year period. Recoating with elastomeric coating and durable granules can help you avoid UV, rain, and wind damage and enable you to protect the original layer of your foam roofing with a super-strong seamless impenetrable waterproof system that will behave like new. Your new recoat layer will act as a shield against the sun, wind, and rain while at the same time, the original foam roof will continue to perform just as if it were new for another 20 years.
Can foam roofs get damaged by bad weather?
In 2006, the National Institute of Standards and Technology presented findings of a study that indicated that the damage incurred by foam roofing systems was little to no damage during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. However, built-up roofing (BUR) with three-tab shingles sustained damage to as much as 50% or more of the roof area. Additionally, if a wind-driven missile damages the roof, it will rarely cause a leak and the damage can be easily repaired without compromising performance. Foam roofing also provides high wind uplift resistance, proven by field observations of spray foam roofing performance during Hurricanes Allen, Hugo, and Andrew.
What is the cost of spray foam roofing?
The cost of any roofing system is based on the cost of material and labor cost. However, spray foam roofing has one significant advantage over traditional roofing systems – research by Texas A&M University has shown that the energy savings from foam roofing can pay for its cost within 3 to 4 years!
Do I have to remove my existing roofing system before installing foam roofing?
Spray foam roofing is a lightweight roofing system with incredible adhesive properties that can often be applied over existing, single-layer roofs. As a result, this translates into faster installation time and lower installation costs.
Do you offer warranties for Armstrong’s foam roofs?
At Armstrong Foam Roofing, we offer our clients 15-year warranties on foam roofs because we always install our foam roofing systems according to the specifications recommended by the manufacturer. What’s more, we have developed an installation process that leaves nothing to chance and ensures excellent results.
Choosing the Right Foam Roofing Contractor
There are few foam roofing contractors in the San Francisco Bay Area who can match Armstrong Foam Roofing in terms of experience and performance. We have more than 40 years of experience in installing foam roofing systems! We are also proud to claim that we have installed more residential foam roofing than any other company in America.
You must keep in mind that your foam roofing system will only be as good as the individuals who apply it. Consequently, you should contact professional local contractors with years of proven expertise and a high degree of technical knowledge.
Only trust the best, that’s why you should contact the experts at Armstrong Foam Roofing. We offer a no-obligation Satellite Roof Estimate and you can also arrange a remote free consultation, either by phone at 1-887-777-1234, computer, Skype, or email. Along with all the virtual ways we are providing estimates, we also offer at-home (outside) estimates for your convenience. To find out more about our foam roofing systems and our installation process, contact Armstrong Foam Roofing today.