💡Key Takeaways
- Superior performance and insulation – Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) offers an unmatched R-value of 6.5 per inch and creates a seamless, monolithic, and waterproof barrier.
- Cost-effective renewability – Unlike TPO, which requires a complete and costly tear-off at the end of its lifespan, SPF can be recoated for a fraction of the cost, extending its life for decades.
- The ultimate contractor partnership – SprayWorks Equipment provides the equipment, materials, and specialized training needed to master SPF application and successfully scale your commercial roofing business.
Installation Speed and Labor Allocation
The faster a roofing installation can be completed to professional standards, the more efficient your operations become, the less disruption you’ll cause for your customers, and the more jobs you’ll be able to tackle in a season. Spray foam roofing installations tend to take 50% less time than TPO because the material is spray-applied, doing away with the need for time consuming measuring and custom cutting material around roof penetrations and flashings.That means that a job that otherwise would take two weeks can be knocked out in one!
Along with the length of a project, another major concern for customers is what the total cost will be, and how their money will be spent.
Cost Allocation: TPO vs. Spray Foam
| TPO Roofing | Spray Foam (SPF) | |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Cost | ~70% of project cost | ~30% of project cost |
| Materials Cost | ~30% of project cost | ~70% of project cost |
Performance, Insulation, and Durability
Organizations looking to install a new roofing system are understandably focused on how it will ultimately perform. Insulation properties, energy savings, and weather resistance are all top of mind, and, once again, SPF outperforms TPO:✅ Why SPF Wins on Performance
- R-value of 6.5 per inch – The highest rating of any standard roofing insulation available
- Seamless, continuous layer – Seals around vents and pipes for all-in-one weatherproofing
- Closed-cell structure – Water cannot travel through it, extreme weather including high winds, hail, and the precipitation of freeze-thaw cycles is kept at bay
- No additional insulation layers required – Thermal resistance is built right in
❌ Where TPO Falls Short
- Zero insulation on its own – Requires additional layers (e.g., polyiso boards) at added expense just to match SPF’s thermal resistance
- Vulnerable areas – Gaps near vents and pipes plus billowing between fasteners makes roofs vulnerable to moisture penetration
- No built-in weatherproofing – Sealing requires extra steps, materials, and labor
Lifecycle Costs and True Renewability
When most roofing systems, including TPO, reach the end of their useful life they require tear-offs and replacements that are costly, disruptive, and wasteful. Once a TPO roof wears down after 15 to 30 years, it can’t be renewed – it can only be torn away and sent to a dump, costing around $6 per square foot for removal and new installation.A spray foam roof, however, avoids these costly and disruptive teardowns. After 10 to 20 years, a spray foam roof merely needs to be cleaned and recoated.
No muss, no fuss, and no mess.
Why You Need the Right Partner: Enter SprayWorks Equipment
If you’re looking to bring spray foam roofing into your operations, you need an experienced industry partner to get you up and running. Applying SPF requires knowledge in exothermic and environmental energy, heating, and pressure, but it also necessitates securing the right equipment to get the job done. Our team has over 100 years of combined polyurethane industry experience, and we can supply you with:- Spray foam materials ideal for a range of applications, including roofing, in both open-cell and closed-cell varieties
- Spray guns from some of the most prominent brands in the field
- Spray rigs that operate as centralized systems, with options for portable, SMART, custom, and high-production rigs
- A wide array of additional equipment, like proportioners and pumps, spray robots, hoses, drum heaters, PPE, and more
- Complete spray foam training, with options for spray foam school, roofing school, on-site training, and online training
- 24/7 technical support and maintenance to ensure your operations continue unabated
FAQs About Spray Foam
What is the minimum roof slope required for commercial spray polyurethane foam roofing?
According to the International Building Code (IBC) 2018, the minimum prescribed roof slope for SPF in new construction is 1/4:12. However, for roof replacements and recovers, the building code waives this minimum and relies on a performance-based positive roof drainage requirement.Can spray foam roofing be applied over existing Tectum decks?
Yes, spray foam is the ideal choice for Tectum decking because it can be sprayed directly onto the deck after the old roof is removed. Unlike TPO, which requires traditional plates and auger-style screws, SPF requires no mechanical fasteners, preventing unnecessary penetrations in the Tectum.How do roofing contractors prevent overspray during application?
Because spray foam is applied as a lightweight mist, there is a risk of it being carried by the wind onto undesirable areas like cars and windows. Professional contractors mitigate this overspray risk by using special windscreens and boots during the application process.Ready to Start Working with Spray Foam? Contact Our Team
Give your customers the best roofing option on the market – invest in spray foam materials and equipment for improved insulation, weather resistance, longevity, and cost savings.
Contact us today for a free equipment consultation.
We’ll help you assess the right rig, materials, and training path for your operation.
