FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Foam Roofing, Insulation, Water Proofing and Coating Systems
What is polyurethane foam?
Polyurethane Foam is a two part liquid that when spray-applied, expands up to 30% to form a monolithic, seamless, lightweight roof surface normally used in low slope roofing systems.
Will spray polyurethane foam insulation lose R-value over time?
When first installed, spray polyurethane foam's R-value is about 10 for a one-inch thickness. Over time, the R-value drops to about 7.0 (per inch) and stabilizes at that value. The time it takes to reach an R-value of 7.0 depends on a variety of factors, including total foam thickness. We report a six-month aged R-value. Many industry studies indicate that a one-inch thick sample of foam will stabilize after six months and maintain that approximate R-value for decades.
Will spray polyurethane foam deteriorate over time?
Not that we're aware of. We've looked at 20-year old spray foam projects and we have not observed any signs of deterioration. We expect the polyurethane foam system to insulate and seal your home for the life of the house.
What are the advantages to using Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation?
It acts as a seamless insulation making it more efficient than any other material used in the industry Because SPF is light and versatile and has strong adhesive properties, it easily fills difficult to reach places and adheres to most clean surfaces
What is Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Insulation?
Quite simply, it is "insulation plus sealant". As a rigid cellular plastic with over 95% closed cell content, Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation acts as insulation, an air barrier and, in some cases, also a vapor barrier. Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation will cut energy costs and improve comfort levels in any building.
What are the acoustical properties of Spray Foam Insulation?
Spray Foam Insulation has excellent sound absorption properties and sound transmission properties. For a 2" x 6" wood cavity insulated with Spray Foam Insulation the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) is 75 and the Sound Transmission Coefficient (STC) is 49.
Is Spray Foam Insulation environmentally certified?
Yes. Spray Foam Insulation is an ecological product certified by an independent agency: "the Environmental Choice Program (EPC-40) of Environment Canada".
Are there health concerns with Spray Foam Insulation?
No. Spray Foam Insulation is a clean product. It meets off gassing requirements of CGSB 51.23-92 for new residential construction. No toxic or carcinogenic products were detected.
What is an R-value?
R-value is an assigned number derived from a specific testing procedure to determine a materials (or building assemblage) "resistance to conductive heat transfer". The higher the R-value, the more resistant a material (or building assemblage) is to conductive heat transfer.
How much will roof insulation and polyurethane foam save on my heating bills?
It all depends but you can expect to save about 75% of the heat that would otherwise escape from the roof which might translate to a 10 to 40% saving on your heating bills. You will notice a big difference to the comfort of your home in winter due to the excellent roof insulation. Roof insulation has a payback typically between 3 to 10 years depending on the current thermal efficiency of your home.
What innovative energy saving techniques does spray polyurethane foam allow?
You won't need house wrap with spray foam. The air and moisture sealing effects of the spray polyurethane foam are far superior to what house wraps can do. Don't waste your money on house wraps if you are insulating with spray foam. You can encapsulate your entire exterior house shell with spray foam. In effect, this creates conditioned space everywhere including attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
What smells does spray polyurethane foam produce in my home?
A slight odor will be present during installation of spray polyurethane foam insulation. This will rapidly dissipate after the spraying operation stops. After that, the installed spray polyurethane foam will be odorless.
How long has spray polyurethane foam been used to insulate houses?
Spray polyurethane foam was commercially developed in the United States in the mid-1960's. Homes have been insulated with spray foam since that time.
How long does it take to install spray polyurethane foam?
A typical 2000 sq ft house can be fully insulated with spray polyurethane foam in a day or two. Large houses or houses with complex design features could take longer.
What is Polyurethane Foam?
Polyurethane Foam is a two part liquid that when spray-applied, expands up to 30% to form a monolithic, seamless, lightweight roof surface normally used in low slope roofing systems.
Is it necessary ti coat spray-applied (SPF) Foam Coating?
Yes, Polyurethane foam must be coated to protect the foam from the destructive U.V. rays from the sun. Polyurethane roof foam must always be coated with high- reflective acrylic, silicone or urethane coatings for foam protection and energy savings benefits. These are available in three standard colors: white, gray or tan.
Is Your Roof Coating Energy Star Approved?
Yes, our coatings have been tested and meet the ASTM Reflectance Standards for Initial Solar Reflectance and are shown on The Energy Star and California Qualified Product Lists. These coatings meet the requirements for California Title 24.
Is a Spray-Applied Foam Roof System expensive?
The price of a SPF system, although higher than common built-up roofs can actually be 30 % less when considering the life-cycle costs of the roof over a period of time. Heating and cooling costs can drop dramatically with SWD reflective coatings that may reduce energy bills up to 50%.
How long does a typical Foam Roof System take to apply?
Most domestic property foam installations take 2 to 3 days if the roof is in reasonable condition and scaffolding is not required.
How long does polyurethane foam last?
Polyurethane foam has been shown to last 25 years without internal degradation. G&W Contracting Services, Inc. has been successfully installing foam roof systems since 1979.
Does Polyurethane foam insulate my roof?
Most definitely. It has an R-value of 7 per inch of foam and may be spray-applied at a greater thickness for additional insulation values.
Can I walk on my SPF Roof?
Yes, SPF has a normal compressive strength of 40-50 psi. at 2.8 pounds per square foot and can be walked on within 24 hours. Tell your tradesmen however, they must check with us prior to doing any work on your roof in order to maintain your warranty.
What about fire ratings?
LPA 2800 is an HFC blown rigid polyurethane spray foam system with high insulation efficiency and an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. These properties, combined with the outstanding fire testing results, make this product an ideal choice for use in roofing applications.
