Arizona Foam Roofing
Have you ever wondered what foam roofing is, or where it started? Below is a brief explanation of where foam roofing came from.
Urethane foam technology emanates from polyurethane chemistry, a unique branch of chemistry developed in the 1930’s. During the 1950’s, urethane foam became commercially available in the United States, and by the early 1970’s, urethane foams were being specifically designed for roofing applications. Urethane foam, also commonly referred to as PUF, is a remarkable roofing material that functions as both structural insulation and waterproofing. During application, special equipment combines separate chemical components causing a chemical reaction that produces foam on whatever surface the chemical mixture is sprayed. The reaction produces a monolithic membrane, meaning there are no seams or joints. This membrane contains both closed cells filled with an insulating gas and open cells that allow the passage of gases including water vapor. Urethane foam is not UV stable and must be covered or coated.
Left uncovered, the strong Arizona sunlight will deteriorate the “skin” and cell surfaces of foam roof coating causing a gradual disintegration or “vanishing” of the foam. The foam coating or covering is extremely important to the long-term effectiveness of the urethane foam roof. It must protect against sunlight (UV) deterioration, physical damage, water penetration, and must allow the foam to breathe.
Some urethane foam roofs in Arizona that were installed in the 1970’s are still functioning perfectly due to proper maintenance and re-coating. However, there are many more urethane roofs that have deteriorated due to external damage or lack of maintenance.
In Arizona, our unique desert foam roofs will deteriorate and fail over time if not properly maintained. The strong UV rays will eat through Elastomeric coatings. Here at Canyon State Roofing & Consulting, we take the time to properly complete recoats on our unique Arizona foam roofing systems. Weather it’s a repair, residential roof maintenance, or a completely new foam re-roof, we can provide your roof with the services it needs!
Below are some pictures of some foam roofs that failed due to improper maintenance or lack of proper coating maintenance:
