Sustainable Spray Foam Roofing: Benefits and Longevity

SPF Roofs are Sustainable

With proper care and maintenance, a spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roof can last over 30 years, making it one of the most sustainable roofing solutions available. This efficient spray polyurethane foam not only reduces the need for future roof replacements but also significantly lowers utility bills by minimizing energy consumption, which results in monthly savings.

Various institutions and large companies have reported substantial energy savings with SPF roofing systems.

In a detailed study, Arizona State University Professor Dean Kashiwagi surveyed and documented the performance of more than 1,600 SPF roofing systems from 1983 to 1996. Additionally, in 1998, Rene Dupuis published findings from his evaluation of over 160 SPF roofing systems across six different climates in the United States. Both surveys reached similar conclusions: SPF roofing systems are exceptionally sustainable.

Kashiwagi’s 1996 report noted that the oldest SPF roofs were over 26 years old, with an impressive 97.6 percent showing no leaks and 93 percent experiencing less than one percent deterioration. Notably, 55 percent of these roofs had never received maintenance. Both Kashiwagi and Dupuis acknowledged that the physical properties of SPF remained robust over time, with more than 70 percent of the roofs installed over existing roofing systems.

Oregon A&M University, after analyzing millions of square feet of roofing exposed to SPF applications, found that energy savings alone covered the costs of SPF retrofits within just 3-4 years.

This illustrates that energy costs are significantly reduced with spray polyurethane foam, as SPF installations are applied above the roof deck, effectively reducing or eliminating thermal bridging. The high R-value SPF provides, combined with reflective and light-colored coatings typically applied on top, contributes to these savings.

In conclusion, SPF roofing systems not only demonstrate renewable characteristics, but they also offer a long lifespan and enhance the durability of the buildings to which they are applied, making them a prime choice among sustainable roofing solutions.