Are Foam Roofs Any Good?

Are foam roofs any good?

Foam roofs provide many advantages, among which is the ease of installation. Foam roofing requires no tear-off of old roofing materials. It is easily sprayed over the current roof and can be sprayed on almost all roofing materials.

Other advantages of foam include:

• Energy efficiency: The material provides better insulation for the building, especially keeping out the heat in the summer by reducing heat absorption. This will reduce energy costs.
• Easily maintained: Outside of a semi-annual inspection for any problems, very little maintenance is needed. Usually, maintenance means recoating the foam with a top layer of roof coating.
• Seamless: Spray foam eliminates the roof’s vulnerability to leaking by sealing up seams and other areas where leaks most often occur.
• Environmentally friendly: Foam generates little waste when applied. Little to no roofing material is removed when the foam is installed.

What are the disadvantages of a foam roof?

Like all roofing materials, foam roofing does have its disadvantages. One of the big disadvantages is poor installation. If the material is poorly applied all of its advantages such as extending the roof lifespan become detrimental to the roof. Poor installation can be avoided if you choose a contractor with high professional standards like those at Lafferty Roofing & Construction.

Spray foam roofing also must be applied when it’s at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Like many other roofing materials, it can’t be installed when it’s icy or when there is visible moisture on the roof. You also have to take a great deal of care to make sure property like cars in parking lots is covered or otherwise protected as winds can cause the foam to overspray.

What does a foam roof look like?

Because foam roofing is made from polyurethane, it’s typically white, which is advantageous because the color and material help reduce heat absorption on the roof. Once it’s sprayed on the roof, the material expands into a seamless covering that’s about one- to two inches thick. After the foam is sprayed on, an elastomeric coating like silicone or acrylic is sprayed over it for additional protection. Although these coatings come in a variety of colors, it’s usually best to choose a lighter coating to get the full effect of heat absorption.

How long does a foam roof last?

With proper maintenance, foam can last 50 years or more, although most warranty terms are set at 20 years.

Can you recoat a foam roof?

One thing that makes spray foam coating such a good option is that it can be recoated with an elastomeric coating like acrylic or silicone at any time. This type of roofing material can last a long time though we recommend recoating it before the warranty term–usually 20 years–expires. Before you have your roof recoated, make sure to have it inspected for any areas that might be damaged or wet or have leaks. If any repairs need to be made, they need to be made before a new coat can be added. Moreover, there’s almost no limit as to how often a roof can be recoated.

Can you put a foam roof over shingles?

Spray foam can go over almost any type of roofing material, including shingles. Before applying the foam over the shingles, you want to inspect the roof and determine the condition of the shingles. If you notice shingles that are curled or degraded so much that nails are showing, foam won’t help. In this case, the shingle roof needs to be torn off and a new roof needs to be installed.

But, for shingles that are in good shape, then spray foam can be added as it would over other types of roofing systems. If the shingles are in good shape, but you have leaks, foam is a great option to seal up leaks. Once the foam and roof coating is added, leaks will be sealed and it’s less likely your roof will develop leaks in the future. You’ll also benefit from better energy efficiency.

Foam roofing for mobile homes

Foam roofing is actually a good option for a mobile or manufactured home. That’s because these roofs are often flat roofs and will experience problems like ponding common to flat roofs on commercial buildings. Foam for mobile homes will help alleviate such problems and prevent issues like leaks from occurring just as it would on a commercial roof. A foam application can also extend a mobile home’s roof life, which can save homeowners from expensive repairs or a total replacement.