Spray Roofing

[Bainbridge]

I was wondering if anyone here has experience with or has looked into spray roofing. I had actually never heard of it, but received a postcard and thought it looked interesting, plus they say it is longer lasting and less expensive than a traditional rubber roof. Does anyone have thoughts? Thanks!

[Eastcoast]

Hmmmmm, I wonder if it's something like the rhino coating used for pickup truck beds...

I have always wondered if a fiberglass roof would work here in the city...I have been on plenty of elevated fiberglass coated decks down the shore that double as a roof to the porch below. If they can withstand the elements down there I can't imagine they wouldn't work here.

Plus I like the idea of simply having a more rigid roofing material that I can just drop some planters on, roll out the outdoor rug and place a couple adirondack chairs on. Permits for a roof deck? I don't need no stinking permits...this is my roof, no deck!

[Bainbridge]

Well, I am not sure about the pickup truck bed thing, but here is a site that describes it:
Spray Foam Roofing, Roof Coatings and Reflective Coatings - Spray Foam Information Directory - SprayFoam.com

Can't really gather how it differs from spray insulation, other than a layer of "gravel-like" coating is applied after.

And if I had decent access to my roof, I would try to make a cool porch area too!

Anyway, I emailed the company from the postcard I got and will report back any findings

[Braveheart]

That's the way to go, decide your own specs and material before you let out for bids.

Finding a qualified residential installer may be your biggest chore.

[Eastcoast]

Well, I am not sure about the pickup truck bed thing, but here is a site that describes it:
Spray Foam Roofing, Roof Coatings and Reflective Coatings - Spray Foam Information Directory - SprayFoam.com

Can't really gather how it differs from spray insulation, other than a layer of "gravel-like" coating is applied after.

And if I had decent access to my roof, I would try to make a cool porch area too!

Anyway, I emailed the company from the postcard I got and will report back any findings

Looks interesting and of course the idea of applying an insulating layer to the outside is really attractive to me as I'm sure that the small space (14") between my ceiling and the roof decking has zero insulation.

[qvgirl]

please do share what you learn... a number of years ago I had someone who wanted to go with the fiberglass option to replace my roof and deck, he said he had done many down the shore... I didn't get a quote, but felt it was over my budget (was only patching roof at time)... needless to say I later had to have the entire deck torn off and a new roof with some replacement beams put in & still haven't replaced the deck. *Now* I might be able to swing it.

[Braveheart]

Roofing Talk - Professional Roofing Contractors Forum :

Your Right Robert, very few foam applicators are qualified to even step foot into a foam rig let alone spray the stuff. Personally I think an applicator should watch it sprayed by a qualified applicator for at least 1 year before he even get's to clean the gun! This is what a quality foam roof should look like http://arizonaroofer.net/my-project-...bum=1&photo=28

Nice work,i once watched a guy spray a hotel here he was with centimark and his work was impeccable. He actually sloped the roofs to drain as they were sloped into roof drains, very nice work. But we have another local guy spraying his roofs look like the surface of the moon when hes done and a few have been removed because of leaks.

[Bainbridge]

well...
for anyone who is interested, the company that sent me the card (American Roofing and Spray Foam Insulation Contractor - Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia) quoted me $2700 for a typical rowhouse roof, approx 14'X30'. They say they have done south philly rowhouse roofs for this price in the past. Needless to say, that is NOT 50% less than a "regular rubber roof" as their postcard advertised. It's more like double the price I was quoted for a brand new rubber roof. I also asked me to provide me with some information regarding their services and they didn't elaborate or seem enthused by the possibility of my business. So, uh, no...don't think I will be trying this out.

[Braveheart]

well...
for anyone who is interested, the company that sent me the card (American Roofing and Spray Foam Insulation Contractor - Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia) quoted me $2700 for a typical rowhouse roof, approx 14'X30'. They say they have done south philly rowhouse roofs for this price in the past. Needless to say, that is NOT 50% less than a "regular rubber roof" as their postcard advertised. It's more like double the price I was quoted for a brand new rubber roof. I also asked me to provide me with some information regarding their services and they didn't elaborate or seem enthused by the possibility of my business. So, uh, no...don't think I will be trying this out.

Is that just to sweep it and spray it?

What is your present roof material? $600- a square does seem a little high.

[Bainbridge]

Is that just to sweep it and spray it?

What is your present roof material? $600- a square does seem a little high.

I believe that is the whole price, beginning to end. They just spray it over the existing roof. Currently my roof is tar with a (old) silver coating. I purchased my house less than a year ago, so I didn't put the previous roof on. I don't know many specific details.

[Eastcoast]

He actually sloped the roofs to drain as they were sloped into roof drains, very nice work.

I was wondering about this, it can't be easy to keep the current pitch and slope to get the water to the rain head when the foam has to have enough dimension/depth to actually add some decent insulation.

[boblee]

I have a sad old roof that leaked like anything. I've been using this-

36" x 150' ROLL RESIN COATED YELLOW FIBERGLASS FABRIC

in combination with this-

koolseal.com: Elastomeric Roof Coatings

and I've stopped almost all the leaks. I still have a problem I haven't solved, as I have a stairway roof access shed which seems to be leaking somehow and I haven't solved that problem yet. But all my other leaks are gone.

The fiberglass fabric I order from Arizona, I couldn't find it locally in 3 foot width, but the white elastomeric coating I found at Lowe's for about $75, which does over half my roof. When ordering the fabric, choose UPS ground for shipping, it's the cheapest.

[Braveheart]

I believe that is the whole price, beginning to end. They just spray it over the existing roof. Currently my roof is tar with a (old) silver coating. I purchased my house less than a year ago, so I didn't put the previous roof on. I don't know many specific details.

I just consider myself a building mechanic with a strong carpentry background that over the years knows alot about
alot, but not a roofing mechanic. I noticed while studying up on roofing the other night one site differentiated
between roofers and roofing mechanics ~ a roofer does your typical shingle work while the mechanic is trained in
specific flat and often commercial roof systems.

In your case I wouldn't invest in an expensive coating over an unknown entity, but maybe just keep it sealed until
you can afford to have the old stripped off and start fresh. Roofers use 'square' for estimate purposes which is a
10 x 10 ft area. You being about 14 x 30 ft I'd call that 4.5 squares.

As the Web is our friend we can research the best new roof, but I'm seeing that rubber EPDM is obsolete in light of
better systems as well. Our place is mainly shingled but I do have a 16 x 9 ft rear area to decide on something
permanent.

Eastcoast ~ I only posted the link and can't say about R value. If the OP has 14" in the ceiling I'd consider blown in
though you need a hole in each rafter bay that needs to be patched. It could be done from above in conjunction with
a roof tear-off if the roofer/weather agree.

boblee ~ I'll look into that for my small section.

[stock]

I've seen this, never used it. It's closed cell, but it still requires a weather proof coating I'm pretty sure.

[Ronnie]

Sprayed polyurethane foam based roof systems are not a good system to invest your money in. There are many other systems that are far more superior.

If you’re looking to simply restore a roof then an acrylic or urethane coating is a good choice. Coatings can be applied by either rolling or spraying.

[drewpy]

Yes, it requires a primer and two coats of elastomeric coating. If you don't coat it, it will fail as it has no protection from the sun. If treated properly, it's actually a highly effective system.

[Alana]

Here are some benefits of spray roofing which i hope help you in choosing the right option:
1: Reduced Heating Bills
2: Seasonable Control
3: Extended Roof Life
4: Reduction of Loft Dust
5: Increased Roof Strength
6: Noise Reduction
7: Elimination of Roof Condensation