We work hard to put a roof over our heads. Therefore, a roof should be a symbol of safety, stability, durability and protection from Mother Nature. According to the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roofing systems are noted for their long life, renewable and energy saving characteristics, as well as their ability to help control moisture in buildings.
As one of the home’s most important features for protection from nature’s harshest elements, roofing systems should be equipped to handle a variety of environmental conditions. SPF roofing systems are resistant to leaks caused by hail, wind-driven debris, and high wind blow-off. The Underwriters Laboratories conducted research on SPF roofs due to their performance during Hurricanes Allen, Hugo and Andrew. The SPF’s wind uplift resistance exceeded the capacity of UL’s equipment—validating SPF roofing systems’ excellent wind up-lift resistance.
Furthermore, SPF roofing systems can provide significant energy savings. SPF eliminates thermal bridging by providing a continuous layer of insulation over existing thermal bridges in the roof deck. Also, SPF roofing systems typically are coated with light colored, reflective coating, which reduces the amount of heat transported inside the building through thermal bridges.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory notes that roofing is one of the largest contributors of solid waste, as it is a building element that needs to be replaced. SPF roofing systems are often used to re-cover an existing roof, which can eliminate the need to tear off the roof completely. This then reduces the amount of construction material in landfills. SPF can also be applied to a variety of substrates and in various degrees of thickness to add slope and fill in low areas.
Watch Video on Plastics, Roofing, and Home Energy Efficiency
Jack Armstrong, of BASF’s Global Building Materials, shows how energy efficiency can be enhanced by smart uses of the many varieties of plastic insulations, expanded polystyrene, polyurethanes, stabilization foams, and much more. Originally given at a press Conference on the Mall in Washington, DC for the Solar Decathlon, the subject matter goes to the heart of Near Zero Energy Homes.
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