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The architectural, design and engineering communities have utilized the many benefits and unique characteristics of sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) for nearly half a century.
SPF is a versatile energy efficient material that is used to provide many solutions for the building and construction industry.
- SPF insulation combines high insulation value with other attributes that contribute to lower energy use and maintenance costs while increasing durability in buildings.
- SPF building sciences are changing the way homes and commercial buildings are constructed for greater energy efficiency and moisture reduction.
- SPF roofing systems provide building owners with lightweight, monolithic, energy saving and sustainable roofing options. SPF has also proven itself as a very strong performer against conventional roof systems in hurricane / high wind situations.
- SPF adhesives have become a preferred method of installing roof board insulation, roof coverings and tile roofing when through deck fasteners are not desirable or possible.
- SPF sealants protect against unwanted air and moisture entering through gaps in doors and windows and cracks in the building envelope.
At face value, spray foam has traditionally been more expensive than alternative materials, but then again so have Rolex watches and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. You get what you pay for, and with spray foam, you get performance, sustainability and combined characteristics no other building products can offer by themselves.
There is a reason why polyurethane foam is used in most every refrigerator, hot water heater, refreshment cooler, insulated flask, and hot tub. You don’t see fiberglass batts wrapped around the space shuttle either. That’s because polyurethane foam is far more superior in its R-value, structural strength, air/moisture sealing, and form fitting characteristics.
Consumers and facility managers are becoming more educated and more demanding relative the building materials used in the construction of their properties. They are seeking the best, highest performing, and sustainable materials for their properties, their families and their occupants, not to mention their wallets. And even though spray foam is more expensive, it can absolutely help to save money and create much greater value and performance over time.
That’s because spray foam is one of the best insulating materials known to man. When SPF is specified in construction, it often results in payback and savings on energy costs. SPF can often eliminate the need for other materials, labor intensive tasks, and possesses characteristics that competing materials just don’t have.
For example, residential insulation such as fiberglass has no where near the benefits of spray foam insulation. And while SPF may cost more up front, it pays for itself through energy savings, air quality improvements, air/moisture/mold management, noise reduction, and overall strength improvements. If you really look at these benefits, SPF is actually less expensive and far more valuable over time, and isn’t that what sustainable design and “green” building is all about? More…
In commercial roofing for example, no other materials can provide all the same advantages of spray foam by themselves. Energy savings alone can make the difference between spray foam and other materials. Another unique characteristic is that SPF is self-flashing and becomes a monolithic and potentially leak free roof surface. More…
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