Improving Roof Performance with

Spray Foam Insulation

Program Registration

Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Copyright Materials

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© Huntsman Building Solutions 2020

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Course Overview

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) has outstanding insulation properties when compared to traditional building materials and creates a monolithic membrane on all roofing substrates. This system will conform to all roof architecture and your creative design styles. Also, spray foam can provide energy savings not only for new construction but to be utilized for existing roof restoration as well. This course will provide an overview of the thermal performance benefits of roofing spray foam, specific applications for the material, and the importance of utilizing qualified applicators for the installation process.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course,

participants will be able to:

Discuss how SPF differs from traditional roof products

List the key benefits of specifying spray foam for new construction

Describe the key benefits and why it makes sense to recover roofs with SPF

Recognize the importance of certified and well-trained installers

Spray Foam and Other Insulation Types

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Common types of insulation Fiberglass Mineral wool Cellulose Rigid foam board Spray foam

ISO Board

Mineral Wool

Cellulose Fiberglass Rolled

Fiberglass Matt

Spray Polyurethane Foam

Spray Polyurethane FoamEPS/Rigid Foam Board

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Spray foam insulation• Low, medium, high density foam (high density cell

foam is used in commercial roofing) • Tested air barrier material; superior air sealing• High R-value possible providing energy savings

for building owners• Closed cell reduces bulk water movement• Monolithic/seamless characteristics creates a

waterproof roof • Eliminates ponding and pooling water• Wind uplift resistance due to self-adhering product

characteristics

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray foam basics • Spray foam insulation becomes a final product on

the jobsite• Truck-based spray rigs or box trucks are used to

install high pressure spray foam• Chemicals delivered in two separate 55-gallon

drums (set)• Chemical reaction between ISO (A-side) and Resin

(B-side) drums at spray gun results in foam creation

Closed Cells of SPF

7 to 10-second Cure Time

Manufactured On-site, SPF RigManufactured On-site, SPF Rig

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

High-density or closed cell spray foam for a roofing application• Harder, rigid foam (density: 2.5 to 3.5

pounds per cubic foot)• R-value: up to R-7.2 per inch• Water resistant barrier and air barrier• Class II vapor retarder typically at 1.5-inch

thickness• Uses a blowing agent, HFO being the

leading in technology for closed cell SPF• Provides building occupants with greater

energy efficiency• Warranties available, vary by manufacturer

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

The benefits of spray foam• Building interior

– Open or closed cell

• Building exterior– Closed cell only

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Many Uses of SPF

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Cost savings• Energy cost savings for the building

structure will provide the Building Owner with an immediate return on their investment

• A seamless roof means zero heat/cooling loss in order to reduce the Building Owners electricity bills

• Low maintenance costs over time and up to 30-year longevity of an SPF roof

Before After

Before After

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

• Eliminate expensive risk of water damage under heavy equipment, such as HVAC due to transitions

• Makes repairs easy due to eliminating the need to “chase leaks”

• An SPF roof leaks at the exact point of water’s entry due to the monolithic and seamless characteristics of the SPF cells

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Air barrier performance• Closed cell spray foam

typically acts as an air barrier at 1 to 1.5 inches

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Water barrier performance• Closed cell spray foam can be

an effective water barrier• No seams or joints means fewer

water intrusion points• Lower maintenance compared to

other roofing materialsHail Damaged Roof

Monolithic, Severe Hail Damage-rated, SPF Roof

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

• Wind uplift resistant

Eye of a Hurricane

Roof Above Commercial Kitchen Contaminants

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Chemical Resistance• Durable material even when

exposed to chemicals• SPF inhibits mold growth on

rooftops • SPF and coating protects

roof from corrosion • Animal fat

Extensive Corrosion of Roof

Mold Growing on a Roof Roof Above a Commercial Kitchen

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

UV Stability• Coatings are required to protect from solar radiation as SPF is not UV stable • The benefits of a roof coating system

– Reflectivity – A low emissivity mixed with increasing reflectivity and UV light resistance add to the system’s ability to perform and deliver key benefits

• Energy Conservation – Reducing a building’s energy load and thermal conductivity can result in a cooler roof and lower interior temperatures

• Life-cycle cost reduction – The roof of a commercial building likely has the highest cost risk of the entire assess. Ensuring the long-term performance and extending the longevity of the roof means significant potential savings and a reduction of lifecycle expenses

• Weather Durability – A building's roof does much more than provide shelter, it insulates and waterproofs the property, protecting the valuable contents within. A good coatings systems will act as a protectant, are algae and mildew resistant and reduce the Heat Island Effect

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

• Solar Reflective Index (SRI)• Solar Reflectivity• Thermal Emittance

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings Video

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSupport of traditional commercial roofing styles

Monolithic and Self-Adhering Characteristics

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

High R-value

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Before

Re-roofing with spray foam

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

After

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Freeze, Thaw Cycle

In colder climates ice develops on flat roofs and when the ice thaws, moisture develops under the substrate to then zipper through to create holes

Moisture Damage Due to Ice

Reduce waste and GWP chemicals

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Reduces Landfill Waste

Eliminate ponding water

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Liquid Applied Roof Coatings

• Spray foam can not be installed without a protective topcoat

• Coatings provide UV protection

• Coatings can be applied by squeegee, roller, spray gun – it varies by manufacturer

• Types of Coatings Include

– Acrylic Coatings

– Silicone Coatings

• Some coatings require primers, some do not

Reduced disruption to building owner

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

“No downtime or interruption to my business was needed to reroof my building with spray foam.”

– Business Owner

Selecting the right team for installation

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Roofing Certified Installers

• Importance of certified installers provides– Increases speed of project completion – Reduces liability

• Building owners should request documents from installers proving their certification

• Avoiding the risk of overspray is of great importance and properly trained applicators will take protective measures to completely prevent it

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Understanding installation conditions• Substrate must be dry and above

minimum specified temperature• Spray foam components must be kept

within specified temperature range• A-Side and B-Side components must be

kept at required temperatures, as stated by the manufacturer (can be found on the manufacture’s technical documents)

Roof with SPF and Acrylic Coating

Timing of installation is critical

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings

Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsBenefits of a spray foam roofing system

• A spray polyurethane foam roofing system is suitable for a wide range of commercial, agricultural, industrial and residential applications. This advanced insulation and roofing system is applied to any shape and substrate. The system seals the building envelope to stop heat transfer through the roof deck, minimize air conditioning from escaping, and restrict unconditioned air from

entering the building

• Weather durability – over time, a traditional roof will be affected by the partial vacuum created by the wind blowing over the edge onto the field of roof, which pulls the room assembly away from the substrate, making the roof system vulnerable to gusts of wind.

Independent laboratories have performed tests showing that spray foam significantly enhances wind uplift resistance.

• Energy conservation – Spray foam insulation minimizes energy consumption by controlling heat loss and heat gain through the roof system, system, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the building while keeping temperature extremes to

a minimum.

• Repair vs. replace – Spray foam roofing offers an option to either re-cover or repair exiting roofs. The cost savings is realized by eliminating the construction cost of tearing off the entire roof and closing a facility/building for roof repairs.

• Life-cycle cost reduction – Spray foam insulation eliminates the need to dozens of other components typically used in traditional roofing, providing slope to drain and self-flashing performance. The system is fully adhered eliminating the need for

mechanical fasteners, stop[ping all thermal bridging without compromising the integrity of the substrate. Also adds value in a

retrofit application by alleviating the need for expensive tear-off and disposal costs.

ConclusionThank you for your interest in improving roof performance with spray foam insulation. This concludes the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Course.

Spray Polyurethane Foam offers numerous opportunities to contribute to the performance of several different project types.

Please contact Huntsman Building Solutions directly if you have any questions about the material presented here.For questions: 877-547-2468roofing@icynene-lapolla.comlapolla.com/architects-designers

mailto:roofing@icynene-lapolla.com

Improving Roof Performance with Spray Foam InsulationProgram RegistrationCopyright MaterialsCourse OverviewLearning ObjectivesSpray Foam and Other Insulation Types�Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings VideoSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSlide Number 25Slide Number 26Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial Buildings�Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSlide Number 29Liquid Applied Roof CoatingsSlide Number 31Slide Number 32Roofing Certified InstallersSpray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsSlide Number 35Spray Foam Insulation for Commercial BuildingsConclusion