When considering replacing a traditional built-up roofing system (BUR) with spray foam roofing, also known as sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF), many homeowners in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland, and Berkeley often wonder whether the durability and lifespan of spray foam roofing can match that of their existing BUR roofing system. At Armstrong Foam Roofing, we have been installing foam roofing systems since the early 1980s, and have always assured our clients that the durability and lifespan of spray foam roofing are far superior to BUR roofing.
The Durability of Spray Foam Roofing
Commercial flat roofs need to be durable since they have a host of features and electrical/mechanical equipment that may need frequent service and/or repairs. The commercial spray foam roofs that we install are durable enough to withstand regular maintenance of HVAC units, compressors, skylights, and whatever other systems may be installed on them. The same applies to residential SPF roofing systems since they are both 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.
Adhesion and Strength
The adhesion properties of spray foam roofing also add to its strength and durability. This is especially important in locations where residents can experience severe weather such as hail storms, strong winds, and other conditions that could cause structural damage to a BUR roof. However, foam roofing or SPF roofing systems provide superior hail impact absorption and protection against strong winds.
Performance Under Extreme Conditions
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. In fact, groups such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and research by the University of Florida, support the effectiveness of SPF roofing in resisting flood, extreme wind forces, and structural damage.
Additionally, 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, BUR roofing systems with three-tab shingles sustained damage to as much as 50% or more of the roof area.
The Lifespan of Spray Foam Roofing Systems
Unlike BUR roofing systems which have an average lifespan of 15 to years, Armstrong’s foam roofing systems can last a lifetime by only having to recoat them approximately every 20 years.
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 per cent deterioration! These statistics are even more impressive when we take into consideration that 55% of those roofs were never maintained.
In 1974, the Physical Plant Department of Texas A&M Laboratories replaced the BUR roofing systems of several buildings located on the A&M campus with foam roofing systems. The Davis-Gary dorm was one of the first buildings reroofed with spray foam roofing and after decades of only minimal maintenance, the building has not experienced any leaks. Texas A&M was so satisfied with spray foam roofing that over 90% of the 10 million square feet of roofs at their campus are protected with spray foam roofing. Today, roofs coated with foam roofing over 40 years ago are still performing well with only minimal maintenance. Once a spray foam roofing system is installed, it will only need periodic recoating for decades of service!
Contact The Experts In Foam Roofing
Foam roofing is only as good as the foam roofing contractor who installs it. It’s not as simple as laying some plywood and nailing shingles on your roof. It takes specialized training, skill, experience, and quality material to properly install foam roofs that will stand the test of time. That’s why you need to choose a foam roofing contractor like Armstrong Foam Roofing. We are family-owned and have been serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1966 – that’s over 50 years of dependability. During our over 40 years of installing energy-efficient foam roofs, we managed to install more residential foam roofing than any other company in America!
Put our 40-plus years of knowledge and experience in residential and commercial foam roofing to work: our extensive experience in SPF roofing coupled with some of the best, longest-lasting warranties available means that you won’t go wrong with 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, and email. Along with all the virtual ways we are providing estimates, we also offer at-home (outside) estimates for your convenience.