Roofing in Lebanon PA

Nov 9

When you think about a flat roof for a business, you might picture black tar being swept across it. You now have many options to meet your performance and pricing requirements.

What is the difference between Spray Polyurethane Foam and "conventional" built-up roofing?

Roofing Systems wants our clients to have the latest information. We have written an essay explaining the differences between SPF and built-up roofing systems to help you make informed decisions about which roof would be best for your company.

Tar and Gravel roofing

Built-up Roofing Systems are used in the United States for more than 100 years. These roof systems are commonly known by their common names, "Tar and Gravel" roofs. Built-up roofs consist of layers of asphalt and tar that are applied directly onto the roof. You can choose the number of layers or plies that you want to install. The final layer of a roof structure is made up of stone or gravel.

Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing Spray (SPF) Polyurethane foam is a liquid that's sprayed onto an existing roof. It swells to foam and forms a solid layer.

Although SPF roofing may not be the most popular type of roofing material, it has been used in industrial, commercial, and residential buildings since the 1960s.

Installation and Performance of Spray Polyurethane Foam Roofing

COST

A roof that has been installed

An average built-up roof system for a business roof will cost between $5.50 to $8.50 per square foot in materials and labor. This price range can fluctuate depending on which materials you choose.

SPF Roofing is a roofing company.

For a typical 20,000 square-foot business roof, an SPF roofing system costs between $4.00 to $7.00 per square foot in materials and labor. This price range assumes a typical-thickness SPF roofing system and the structure of the building.

Spray foam roofing can be paid off in energy savings over 5-10 years.

INSTALLATION

Roofing Systems installed an SPF roof on the Parma Ice Rink Building.

You can adhere the initial layer directly to the roof substrate. If necessary, a base sheet can also be attached to the roof in order to create a flat and safe space. In a built-up roofing system, layers of bitumen are alternated with reinforced fabric. Property managers have the option of choosing between three, four, or five-ply roofs to meet their budgets and needs.

The final layer, made of rock or stones, protects the layers below from ultraviolet rays, extreme heat or cold, and wind damage. A gravel coating can be used to make the roof more attractive. The roof must first be cleaned with a pressure washer at 3500 PSI.

Instead of ripping off the entire roof, the contractor will only remove the saturated areas. A roofing in lebanon pa will prepare the substrate by cleaning away all dirt, dust, and pollutants.

The contractor will lay the polyurethane foam as the first layer. The foam is created by mixing two liquids together and spraying them onto a roof substrate. When the liquid is sprayed onto an existing roof, it expands and forms a solid foam layer. Once the SPF layer has dried, it can be coated with an elastomeric silicone or acrylic coating with embedded grains.

ADVANTAGES

If properly installed and maintained, a commercial built-up roof will last up to 40 years. Built-up roofing systems also offer other benefits:

Seamless and waterproof -- The continuous solid surface is waterproof and has no seams or joints, so leaks are prevented at the most vulnerable locations.
UV Rays are Reflected -- UV protection provided.
Low maintenance -- Once installed, very little maintenance is required.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association has more information.

SPF Roofing is a roofing company.

If properly maintained and installed, a business spray foam roof will last for many years. SPF roofing systems offer many other benefits:

SPF delivers thermal, air, and moisture barriers, giving it the highest R-value of 6.6 per sq inch.
Durable -- The foam material can expand and contract during construction. This makes cracks and splitting less likely. SPF has a compressive strength of 50 PSI/square inch, making it sturdy enough for walking.
Seamless and waterproof -- The continuous solid surface is waterproof and has no seams or joints, so leaks are prevented at the most vulnerable locations.
It is environmentally friendly - Most roofs are only lightly raked, which eliminates the need to tear down expensive roofs. SPF roofing materials are environmentally friendly. They have zero ozone depletion potent (ODP), no volatile organic compound (VOC), no chlorofluorocarbons, and an ultra-low global warming potential.
It is easy to repair -- Finding areas that need attention is easy. Keep an eye out to see if there are any flaws in your paint. Now you can clean the area and dry it. Then, fill the crack with coating. Finally, smooth the surface.
Installed quickly - Only the saturated areas of the roof need to be removed and replaced during installation. This saves time and money.
Water can't travel laterally. Therefore, if there is a break, the water will stay trapped within it. Water cannot travel further due to the closed-cell nature foam.

There are disadvantages

Although built-up roofing systems are well-known for their durability, they can only be used as long as the roof remains in good condition. Built-up roofing systems also have their drawbacks:

Installation can take longer.
It can produce dangerous gases and vapors when it is installed.
Weight - This increases the structural weight of a building.
Installation costs - A spray foam roof is more expensive than a traditional roof.
UV Rays -- UV rays without the top layer gravel can quickly degrade the membrane.
It's difficult to find leaks in a roof that is full of gravel and stones.
Allows Water to Migrate Laterally. Water can migrate laterally through insulation and cause many leaks throughout a building.