Spray Foam Roofing and Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam is fast becoming a phrase that keeps popping up in conversations. Spray foam roofs were some of the first applications for spray polyurethane. The most popular growing applications today for spray foam insulation are walls, foundations, attics, joists and crawl spaces. It's amazing how many people are getting the blower door test and other types of energy efficiency tests on their homes only to have trouble locating a company that has certification, experience, knowledge and equipment to apply spray polyurethane foam (SPF).

There are some very unusual applications of SPF that are new in commercial and industrial buildings as well. A great example of a spray foam company is Kohl's Foam Systems www.kohlsfoamsystems.com who has been in the spray foam business since 1987. The company is owned by 2 brothers from Minnesota and has sprayed foam on countless buildings throughout the nation, so they were the first people that I went to when I was trying to find out information on SPF contractors. They have a lot of great pictures of roofs and tons of technical information that is very helpful if you are researching spray foam roofing or insulation for a commercial application. www.kohlsfoamsystems.com

Some Industrial Applications for Spray Foam Insulation and Roofing:

Winery tanks
Water tanks and towers
Grain storage tanks
Poultry houses
Freezers and cold storage facilities operating at -40 below zero
Encapsulating old chimney stacks
55 foot dome on a Department of Transportation road salt shed
Repurposed shipping containers become 2 story modular homes with the help of spray foam insulation
Waste digester tanks

Closed-Cell Spray Foam Insulation Benefits (residential or commercial):

Provides stability, close-cell spray foam insulation prevents shrinkage and settling in your building.
Reduces energy use by lowering heating costs
High R values- on 3 inch thickness R value is R19 or higher and 6 inches of closed-cell insulation is about R38.
Spray foam is an excellent sound deadener and lessens sound transfer between walls
Less labor cost to apply spray foam than asphalt shingles or other types of roofing material.
Fire retardant
Air barrier blocks air infiltration
Vapor barrier helps prevent moisture

No matter if you are looking to use spray foam on your roof or in your interior for insulation it is important to include all costs involved when estimating payback. When comparing spray foam to fiberglass insulation it's good to keep in mind that fiberglass does not fill up the cavities where the air is coming from - it just puts a blanket over the hole. Here are some other points to remember:

Fiberglass insulation also does not seal out condensation or water infiltration, so if you are not properly sealed then water damage can occur under your insulation. This can lead to all kinds of unforeseen costs down the road.
Remember the high cost of heating and cooling bills will be dramatically reduced by approximately 40% - 50% or more - make sure you factor this in when calculating your payback.
Operating wear and tear on your HVAC systems will be lessened, increasing the system's life span.
Spray foam prevents mold and mold spore growth by preventing condensation and water infiltration.
SPF keeps dust and pollen out by eliminating air transference. This increases indoor air quality and leads to less allergies and lost days from work.
Buildings with electrical equipment, product warehouses and computers should consider what a little water or condensation would cost them if it should ruin a computer system or a warehouse of expensive stock.

So if you are looking at insulation in a new addition, an unfinished attic or you're tearing down walls of a room check out spray foam insulation for your next project you'll be glad you did.

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