Can You Walk on a Foam Roof? 6 Questions (+ Answers) - Cleveland, Ohio | Commercial Roofing Contractor (2024)

FAQs

Can spray foam support weight? ›

Spray foam isn't your average foam. It's extremely hard, durable, and can withstand substantial weights. In most cases, the weight limit of spray foam roofing is around 50 pounds per square inch.

Foam roofing consists of polyurethane foam and elastomeric coating. Polyurethane foam is a material with many uses. It's used in foam roofs as a high-density insulation material.

The average life-span of a spray foam roof is 15 to 20 years. BUT, we've personally walked on spray foam roofs that are 55+ years old. Unlike other flat roofing materials, SPF roofs can be infinitely renewed. This is certainly one of the many advantages of a foam roof.

The majority of foam roofs are composed of a material called "Spray Polyurethane Foam" or SPF for short. This is typically composed of a combination of two chemicals, we'll let Wikipedia explain more below. SPF is essentially the same exact material as the foam you see used on the interior of buildings for insulation.

Question #1 – Can you walk on a foam roof? Yes. Spray foam that's used for roofing is much stronger than the foam that's used for insulation or between walls. In fact, the foam that's used for roofing is closed-cell and has a density of 2.5-3.2 pounds per cubic foot.

The average roofing installation price for a spray foam roof costs anywhere between $6,000 to $7,200 depending on the slope, pitch, and size of your roof. You can expect to pay $2.50 to $3.00 per sq. foot or $250 to $300 (1″ of Foam) per square installed on a standard sized single story home.

A: Dura-Foam roofs are a minimum of 1″ thick on most commercial and residential roofs. Standard thickness over occupied areas on residential roofs usually is a minimum of 1.5″. Thickness may be greater to meet insulation or drainage requirements.

Foam roofs should be recoated every 5-10 years, depending on the quantity and quality of coating previously installed. Common foam roof problems include: Weather damage. Bird droppings & pecking.

Regular clean-up and upkeep of your foam roof

As with any roof type, regular cleaning is imperative to ensure that it can last for as long as possible. The same principle is true for your foam roofing system. Thoroughly examine all signs of roof damage at least once every year, especially after any storm or heavy rain.

How do you care for a foam roof? ›

To clean your spray foam roof, start by using pressurized water at a maximum of 3000 PSI to remove any debris. If you have any grease or oil stains on your roof, simply use a non-acidic cleaner to scrub them away. Lastly, remove any debris from your roof's drains, gutters, and other structures.

It just so happens that foam roofing meets all of that criteria. So what is a foam roof? Famously referred to as sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF), it is a foam plastic that has been insulated with spray.

The average cost of spray foam roofing is between $5.00 to $8.00 per square foot (or $400 to $700 per square) with general material and labor included.

Covered with a Silicone Cool Roof Coating, the spray foam roof has superior insulation, waterproofing, and reflective capabilities and is unmatched for energy-efficiency.

The hardened foam can also warp wooden beams. This has led to many mortgage and equity release firms refusing to lend to homes with this type of loft insulation.

Class A Foam can be made of non-corrosive, non-toxic, biodegradable materials, and thus be environmentally benign when it comes to disposal. So in many jurisdictions, Class A Foam is considered non hazardous and may be hosed into the local sewer system.

Foam however, like most materials, is not immune to unwanted microbial growth or the problems that accompany it.

Studies show that open-cell spray foam is risky in colder climates. Indoor moisture diffuses through the foam and comes in contact with the cold roof sheathing. The spray foam traps the moisture against the roof, which results in eventual decay.

No spray foam will not rot your roof.

Can you walk on foam insulation? ›

This is a question I get all the time. “Can I walk on a spray foam roof?”. The answer is “yes, you can!”.

Flat Roof Surfaces You Can Walk On

Sometimes referred to as tar-and-gravel roofs, BURs are designed with alternating layers of hot tar and waterproofing material. It's then ballasted with a final layer of gravel. Some modern types of BURs, however, use fiberglass membranes as opposed to tar paper.

Can you walk on Insulated Roof Panels? Yes, it is possible to walk on insulated roof panels, as the supported section of the roof can easily withstand weights up to 150kgs.

How much R-value does spray polyurethane foam provide? Spray polyurethane foam has an average R-value of 6.5 per inch of thickness. If you install 3 inches of spray foam on a roof, it will gain an R-value of approximately 19.5 (6.5 x 3).

Advantages of Using Spray Foams on Existing Roofs

We know that spray foam can be installed over an existing roof, but what are the benefits of doing so? If you can add insulation to your existing roof, you don't have to pay to tear it down and build a new roof.

Did you know spray foam can be installed over most existing roof systems? This can reduce tear-off costs. It's also good for the environment as you aren't contributing to landfills. And since spray foam roofs can be recoated after their warranty expires, they are a better long-term cost play.

When using closed-cell foam in walls, it is generally considered sufficient when 2 to 3 inches are sprayed. Open-cell foam in walls would not be sufficient with just 2 inches, requiring at least 3.

Now generically speaking, we usually recommend open cell spray foam to be 6- to 10-inches on a roof deck or ceiling and 3-inches in the walls. Closed cell spray foam should be 4- to 5- inches on the ceiling and 2- to 3-inches in the walls.

So, let's get to it, how much does spray foam weigh? Spray foam that's used for a roofing system weighs about one pound per square foot.

Every spray foam roof needs to be recoated and they all cost differently. But on average, the cost of a spray foam recoat on a commercial roof is between $3-$6 per square foot.

How long does construction foam last? ›

Both types of spray foam insulation can last anywhere from 80 years to 100 years, with closed cell spray foam having a slight edge in terms of durability. For most families, this represents the lifetime of the house and then some!

Polyisocyanurate (polyiso), XPS, and spray closed-cell foams substantially degrade over time as the insulating blowing agent gases diffuse out and plain air diffuses in.

The thicker the foam is applied, the longer it takes to cure throughout. Spraying a mist of water on the substrate or/and between layers of foam can speed up the curing process. Typically, it can take between 5 and 60 minutes for the foam to become tack-free.

Polyurethane roof coatings are the most impact-resistant of all the coating options, so if you expect your roof to have a higher than average amount of traffic, polyurethane may be your best bet. There are two primary types of polyurethane roof coatings: aromatic and aliphatic.

Moisture trapped while foam is being applied can cause high spots, or “blisters” in the foam. If the blister is sound enough structurally and is not broken, it is a cosmetic issue, unless it is creating severe ponding.

If you find a puncture or hole in a spray foam roof, the first thing you'll want to do is to cut around the area with a knife. After that, you'll need a towel and heating element to dry off the area. Finally, expert roofers will then fill the area with silicone or caulk coating and smoothen the area.

Yes, there are open cell spray foams on the market that will absorb water, but that doesn't mean they all do. The spray foam used here at RetroFoam of Michigan does get wet and water even moves through it, but it doesn't trap moisture indefinitely. This means it will dry out.

Whether your spray foam insulation is waterproof depends on the type of material you use. In short, closed cell spray foam is waterproof while open cell spray foam is not. This is because closed cell spray foam insulation is a denser material, while open cell spray foam is lighter and expands more.

Foam Roofs are Lightweight, Durable, and Seamless

Foam roofing bonds around roof penetrations such as pipes, vents and edges forming an impenetrable wedge, leaving these penetrations “high and dry.” Additionally, the roof surface is built up in ponding areas to eliminate heavy standing water and improve drainage.

Foam roofing combined with solar power is an excellent way to “go green”. SPF foam with solar can improve the comfort of your home, save money on long-term heating, cooling and electricity costs, and greatly reduce your carbon footprint (foam both insulates and makes roofs leak-proof).

What is a foam flat roof? ›

Spray Polyurethane Foam, more commonly referred to as SPF, is a liquid that is sprayed on the existing roof and expands into a foam, creating a solid layer across an existing roof.

Flat Roofs

A flat roof is less precarious than a pitched one, but you still run the risk of damaging the felt and potentially going through the membrane. You're less likely to cause damage on a warm day, and it's generally advisable to lay boards across it to walk on.

Luckily, the way that spray foam insulation is installed means that it can easily accommodate the unique needs of a flat felt roof. Not only that, but there is more than one way that it can be installed…

Open-cell spray polyurethane foam or closed-cell spray polyurethane foam (ccSPF) insulation can be sprayed along the underside of the roof sheathing to provide a conditioned and insulated attic space that can be durable and efficient in all climate zones (see Figure 1).

Yes. Great Stuff™ and Great Stuff Pro™ products can be used outdoors. However, cured foam will discolor if exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. If left exposed, the foam will eventually crumble.

Spray Polyurethane Foam, more commonly referred to as SPF, is a material that's sprayed as a liquid so it can expand into a foam, creating a solid layer across an existing roof.

When spray foam is applied, it is sprayed directly into the interior of the walls and sticks to the building materials. This means that as the walls shift, or are under load, the insulation moves as the walls do. Spray foam adds structural strength because of the second advantage: it hardens.

This expanding foam can lift 6,000 pounds of concrete per square foot.

In many cases, polyurethane spray foam insulation can provide that needed support. Spray foam insulation offers many benefits as a structural support option. First, it is lightweight, which makes it a good choice in situations where the weight of concrete would further damage a structure.

Since water weighs 62.4 lb / cubic foot, one cubic foot of foam (assuming no water enters foam, for very dense foam this might be nearly the case) should support a maximum weight of 62 lbs.

Is 2 inches of spray foam enough? ›

When using closed-cell foam in walls, it is generally considered sufficient when 2 to 3 inches are sprayed. Open-cell foam in walls would not be sufficient with just 2 inches, requiring at least 3.

Question #1 – Can you walk on a foam roof? Yes. Spray foam that's used for roofing is much stronger than the foam that's used for insulation or between walls. In fact, the foam that's used for roofing is closed-cell and has a density of 2.5-3.2 pounds per cubic foot.

Furthermore, while pests can damage or even eat other types of insulation such as fiberglass or cellulose insulation, closed-cell spray foam insulation hardens into a strong barrier that most pests cannot break through.

Even if water is sprayed directly onto it, it won't allow it to travel through, acting instead as a barrier between it and the property within. This thermal resistance keeps cold air and water out: leaving the property within a comfortable temperature and, most importantly, completely dry.

Spray foam acts as a great insulator and vapour barrier, but it's made up of chemicals and needs to be handled with care. While kits are available at hardware and big box stores that allow homeowners to install it themselves, experts recommend people hire professionals to do the work.

Concrete provides a strong support for these products. Expanded foam has nowhere near the density or rigidity. It is plenty strong enough to hold the post up under normal circ*mstances, but has little structural strength.

Instead, the foam cures (as a single component) by reacting with humidity. As such, it takes about 45-60 minutes to complete its curing and expands only about 2-3 times its original dispensed size.

Latex foam is one of the most durable types of foam available. Latex mattresses and mattress toppers long outlast those made with memory foam and polyurethane foam.

These materials have a load bearing capacity of 4,000 psf and 12,000 psf respectively (National Homebuilders Association). Our lifting foams yield a compressive strength of up to 100 psi in a free rise state or put another way, 14,000 psf.

The ratio of the 65 percent IFD divided by the 25 percent IFD is called the foam's support factor. Support factors for foam range from about 1.5 to 2.6. The higher the number, the better the ability of the foam to provide support.