North Central Insulation: Sustainable Roofing Systems
Sustainable & Energy Efficient Roofing Systems
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Qualifies as a Sustainable Roofing System.
Sustainability of buildings and roofs has become a popular concept. A sustainable and energy efficient roofing system as a part of a fully sustainable building addresses the following issues:
 In general, a sustainable roofing system is one that provides high performance, requires limited maintenance and is easily restored – and spray polyurethane foam meets this criteria very well. For example, spray foam exhibits a high R-value and may be coated with a reflective coating. The benefits here are energy efficient buildings lowering heating and cooling costs, positive impact on urban air quality, and a long life. Spray foam is also easily maintained in most situations and can be easily restored to provide an extended service life.
The high performance coatings of acrylic, silicone, or polyurethane chemistry act as a "sacrificial barrier" to protect the foam insulation. After 12 to 18 years the coating can be re-conditioned by cleaning the surface and applying a fresh layer of coating. After another 15 years, or if the foam has begun to show some deterioration (blisters or other surface problems) the foam may be scarified. This involved removing the top surface of the foam and coating. At this point, a variety of options are available to the contractor. Typically, another life of spray foam is applied and then coated, just like the initial application years earlier. Because polyurethane is a very stable plastic when protected from UV light, this process can be repeated to provide a roof with a 60-year life span or longer; this is justly the best choice when choosing a sustainable and energy efficient roofing system.
One of the key steps in any restoration process is determining whether the aged roof is salvageable. If general observations supported by core tests indicate the insulation is not saturated with water, one can typically proceed with the restoration. When scarifying, the wet spots will be immediately visible and they can be cut out and repaired in the standard manner. Scarifying  provides a smooth surface to reinstall spray foam while retaining most of the original insulation and R-value investment. A black primer may be used over the scarified foams surface prior to application. Finally, a fresh protective barrier of reflecting coating is applied and the system is prepared for up to another 30 years of service life. This process produces very little roof waste; it is a simple application that requires little labor investment; maintenance requirements are minimal, with a simple re-coat application at the mid-point of each 30-year period; the application, maintenance and restoration are carried out with no business interruption for the building owner; and the high R-value of the foam with a reflective coating provides the ultimate energy efficient roofing system and improvement of urban air quality. This is truly a "cool" roof restoration.
"When I arrived in the district in 1989 I expected the usual roof leak complaints, after some time I hadn't received any complaints so I made a special request of each building custodian to provide a detailed list of each roof leak. I was surprised to find out we had none. Eight years later I am completely satisfied with the GE Silicone Roof System and would highly recommend it to others." says Jim Reynolds, Director of Building and Grounds. "Since 1981 the roof system has proven to be the most trouble-free, durable, and inexpensive system that I have witnessed in my 20+ years of experience. I would also like to express my confidence in North Central Insulation, who performed the original installations, ongoing maintenance and the re-coating of a majority of our roofs."
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