8 Common Misconceptions About Foam Roofs

Foam Roof Insulation: Myths You Should Be Aware Of

Foam roofing is becoming increasingly popular because it offers several advantages over conventional roofing materials. Foam roofs are durable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. Plus, they offer excellent thermal performance and soundproof properties.

Foam roofing offers many advantages not everybody is aware of because of the myths around them. A trusted Phoenix roofing company has found some misconceptions surrounding this roofing choice & debunked them. Read on and learn about the most common misconceptions about foam roofs.

Foam Roof Insulation

Foam Roofing Is A Newer Solution

Polyurethane foam has been around for over a century. It also has been used in roofing applications for about 50 years. Foam roofing is not new to the majority of the modern world.

This roofing style has been around since the early 1960s. Spray polyurethane foam roofing is more recent than the single-ply roofing system called TPO. In 1986, the first TPO roofing membrane appeared. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that TPO started to gain a sizable market share.

Foam Roofing Is Weak

When you think about spray foam, you might think of a weak product. You might even compare it to soap or foam upon your tires.

However, this is not the same foam used on your roof.

Your roof uses closed-cell spray foam, which has a compressive strength of 50–60 pounds per square inch.

In comparison, each of your refrigerator pegs produces a pressure of 50psi; therefore, the foam roofing can sustain a refrigerator sitting on it.

Our Chandler roofing company guarantees that you can walk on a foam roof, and you don’t even need to be a ballerina or ninja to do it! Just leave your cowboy boots and high heels in the truck since soft-soled shoes work best. 

A foam roof can support the weight of a typical person unless you’re walking on a condemned (or soon-to-be condemned) structure.

Foam Roofing Is The Same As Foam Insulation

Following the previous information, you may think that foam roofing material is just like foam insulation. However, closed-cell polyurethane foam used in roofing applications is not the same as internal foam insulation. 

Rooftop polyurethane foam is significantly tougher and more durable than inside foam insulation. Moreover, it satisfies all testing regulations.

Foam Roofing Is Expensive

A spray foam roof may or may not be more expensive than other roofing solutions if you’re considering it for a 5 to 10-year period. Nevertheless, when looking at 15 years or more, the foam roof becomes more cost-effective than other options.

The price is comparable to the cost of a single layer of asphalt shingles. As oil prices rise, the price of asphalt shingles (an oil-based product) rises, whereas spray foam pricing remains relatively stable.

Our Sun City West roofing company claims that foam roofing is not as expensive as many homeowners think, and it can be an excellent choice when looking for quality and affordable prices.

Foam Roofing Is Not Longlasting

Foam goods usually don’t come to mind when you think of “tough” materials. But many of the first foam roofs are still in good shape today. – 50 years and still going! 

Foam roofing has proven to be durable throughout the years, and a foam roof can indeed outlast your building.

Foam Roofing Is Toxic

Spray polyurethane foam is simply a slightly modified kind of plastic used to produce the millions of bottles used in the food business — bottles that contain water, soda, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and thousands of other things consumed across the country regularly.

Polyurethane foam materials are completely inert. Plus, they are as safe as the foam pillows you probably have on the couch in your living room. Their formulation was tailored for roofing applications and optimized for the best combination of thermal resistance and durability, but they are still completely safe.

Foam Roofing Doesn’t Insulate Well

When it comes to protecting your home or place of business from the heat, foam roofing is a great alternative to consider with your Glendale roofing contractor, especially if you have a flat or a slightly sloped roof. 

Foam roofing has one of the greatest R-Values (thermal resistance) of any roofing material on the market thanks to its closed cell structure, which also makes it extremely water and fire-resistant.

Foam Roofing Absorbs Water

“Closed-cell” spray polyurethane foam is the exclusive material used in roofing applications. It is a plastic made of countless tiny, water-proof closed cells. 

A closed-cell SPF block submerged in water will float and stay dry for a long time. If it turns out that foam on a roof system soaks up water, either the wrong material was used, or the material components were not properly applied, both of which are the fault of the applicator.

Find A Reliable Phoenix Roofing Company For More Info

Do you want to know if foam roofing is the best option for your property? Get in touch with Allstate Roofing for more help. Whether you need a roof repair, maintenance checkup, or roof replacement, our team will be ready to help. 

Written by Chad Thomas

“Chad Thomas, born in Arizona and influenced by his licensed roofer father, gained extensive experience in major companies before founding his own licensed roofing business.”

Published On: October 25th, 2022

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