Commercial roof coatings are a smart way for building owners to protect their investment in their roof.

More specifically, commercial Roofing materials such as spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation will not only protect a roof from damaging UV rays, but they also can shield your structure from the elements and prevent leaks.

Because roof coatings are a newer type of roofing system to some building owners, many ask the question of why they should use a roof coating in the first place.

Why should I use SPF in my roofing projects?

For starters, a roofing material’s main objective is to protect what is beneath it. SPF provides durable protection for a commercial building, costs less than traditional fiberglass insulation, and weighs less than a pound per square foot upon installation. It is self-flashing and seamless, highly resistant to inclement weather conditions, and performs well across all geographic climates.

In fact, not only does SPF protect against water and moisture, but it also minimizes air movement through a roof system, enhancing indoor air quality and reducing a building’s energy usage.

Finally, you install an SPF roof by spraying a liquid onto an existing roof and allow it to expand into a foam. The advantage of this process is that the foam can conform to all roof shapes. Additionally, as long as you properly clean a roof, you can apply SPF directly over asphalt, shingles, concrete, metal, and wood.

Commercial Roofing System Application Considerations

While the advantages of SPF insulation are vast, as an SPF contractor, you can optimize the benefits for your roofing customers with safe and proper installation. Here are some special guidelines and measures that you should take into consideration so your customers can experience ultimate product performance:

• Roof Coating Spray Equipment Care. The care of your sprayfoam equipment is vital to ensure safety, proper installation, and optimal performance of SPF. Regularly inspect your equipment, and clean and repair it when necessary. Proper equipment storage and maintenance are essential to keeping it in running order, too. Also, keep a supply of spare parts in your mobile rig to reduce downtime should your sprayfoam equipment break down on the job.
• Proper Storage. Always store SPF chemicals and roof coating spray equipment within the manufacturer’s recommended temperature range. Storing SPF outside of these parameters can make the product difficult to apply correctly.
• Safety Precautions. As a roofing contractor, you prepare and apply SPF on a job site. You form the product by mixing equal volumes of two liquid components, known as the “A-side” and “B-side.” Manufacturers provide sets of A-component and B-component, typically in 55-gallon drums. Be sure to consider the chemical vapors and aerosols that arise during application, as well as for short periods thereafter. Employ appropriate protective measures to reduce risks associated with overexposure. Examples of safety precautions include adequate ventilation, safety training, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and a medical surveillance program for field crews. Also, in accordance with OSHA regulations, all roofing contractors must use proper fall protection devices and methods.
• Surface Evaluation. SPF adheres beautifully to a wide range of substrates, including BUR, shingles, metal, clay and concrete tile, and wood. Prior to installation, make sure that existing roof surfaces are dry and free of oils, grease, and debris that may impact adhesion.
• Prep and Prime. It is important to prime any substrate surface before application. Primers can significantly improve adhesion between the SPF and existing substrates, or between new SPF and protective coatings. Primers can also help seal porous

Which Coating is Right for Your Project?

A wide range of SPF products is available in various densities and reactivity, with each boasting different performance characteristics, like temperature limitations and compressive strength.

The foam you select also impacts installation characteristics, such as the maximum lift thickness per pass, and allowable substrate temperatures that in turn impact performance. The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) provides some useful resources to help you pick the right roofing foam product for your jobs. Our team of experts at Intech Equipment & Supply can also provide commercial roofing materials recommendations.

Remember that your choice of coating should depend on your climate and the type of weather you anticipate, including extreme wind, rain, and hail, as well as solar exposure during installation.

Shop for Your Commercial Spray Foam Roofing Equipment

As the versatility of commercial roof coatings has been tested and pushed to the limit over the last several years, more building owners and SPF contractors are realizing how incredibly valuable SPF has become when it comes to ultimate building protection. Choose Intech for all your sprayfoam roofing jobs.

Intech Equipment & Supply can provide you with all of your spray foam roofing equipment. Finding the Right Coating for Your Commercial Roofing system needs. Browse through our wide selection of commercial roofing materials and equipment in our online store. Contact us today.