When you think of foam, you may think of something that is lightweight and soft; you probably don't think of roofing material. However, one common roofing material for commercial roofing is spray foam roofs. Spray polyurethane foam roofs are a solid option if you have a commercial building.
1. Mixing Chemicals make spray Foam
Spray foam is created by mixing together two different chemicals. It is made by mixing together isocyanate and polyol, and resin. These two chemicals are mixed together in an equal ratio directly at the job site. The chemicals are stored in large containers connected to high-pressure hoses that are heated up and then mixed when the chemicals reach the spray gun.
The mixing takes place inside of tubes and the spray gun; you don't literally have to pour the chemicals into a container and mix them together.
2. The Roof Has to be Prepared
Second, you need to prepare the space for the spray foam. The roof has to be dry, and it has to be in sound condition. You need to ensure that there are not any wet areas where moisture will accumulate on the roof. If there are any wet areas, you are going to want to fix them.
You need to ensure that the roof is insulated from below. This will help strengthen its integrity. You also need to ensure that you have a fully interactive substrate. If you don't have a fully adhered substrate, one can be created by applying a cover board. It can be applied over a wide range of different roofing systems.
3. The Application Process
Once the roof is clean, the spray will be sprayed onto the roof. When it is sprayed, it will look like a very thin layer of foam. However, within seconds, the foam will greatly expand. It is designed to expand in both width and height within seconds of being sprayed.
Generally, the overall thickness is determined based on building codes and other factors, such as how much insulation you want the roof to have.
4. The Protection Process
After the spray foam is applied, then the foam will be protected with an additional coating. An elastomeric coating is applied as a basecoat within hours after the spray foam is applied. Then, once the basecoat has had time to cure, another application of silicone is placed on the roof, creating a topcoat. After that, granules are placed on the topcoat while it is still wet. The granules help to provide the roof with stability and strength.
Maintenance is Simple
Finally, with a spray foam roof, the maintenance is pretty simple. You are going to want to get a professional visual inspection at least two times a year. You are going to want to clean the roof off to prevent debris damage and water pooling. If a crack develops, you will need to fill it in with caulking.
A spray foam roof can last for at least a decade or two, depending on various factors such as maintenance and climate. You can also apply more coating to strengthen the roof.
