Building Strength

Constructing with spray foam can help make homes and commercial structures stronger, more resilient, and mitigate repair costs after climate and other natural disasters.

Spray Foam Roofs: Strong and Durable

Applying a spray foam roofing system can improve a building’s strength, with an effective lifespan that can exceed 30 years.1

Because spray foam conforms and adheres to the surface on which it is sprayed, a strong bond forms to protect the roof. The layer of spray foam is seamless and self-flashing, which can eliminate the ability of water to seep through weak spots, such as fasteners and seams.

Spray Foam Insulation: Strength and Resilience

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which responds to natural disasters, has classified SPF insulation as highly resistant to floodwater damage, saying, “These materials can survive wetting and drying and may be successfully cleaned after a flood to render them free of most harmful pollutants.2

Applying closed-cell spray foam in the cavities of the walls increases durability of the wall system4 because of the foam’s ability to conform and adhere to the surface upon which it is sprayed. A wall with spray foam insulation has a higher racking strength, or ability to maintain its shape under duress, than a wall assembly without spray foam.5

Applying closed-cell spray foam to the underside of the roof deck can increase the wind-resistance of your roof by up to 2.5 times. Using closed-cell spray foam can help keep your roof deck in place during high wind events.  

  1. Mason Knowles, “Specifying SPF Roofing Systems” September 2005
    http://masonknowles.com/docs/SpecifiyingSPFRoofingSystems.pdf
  2. “Flood Damage-Resistant Materials Requirements” FEMA Technical Bulletin 2, August 2008. http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/2655
  3. http://www.buildingscience.com/documents/information-sheets/high-r-value-wall-assemblies/high-r-wall-08-spray-foam-wall-construction?topic=resources/high-r-value
  4. http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/insulation
  5. http://www.cufca.ca/research/SPF%20Research%20Report-Racking%20Strength-Council%20of%20BC%20Forests.pdf

Additional Spray Foam Resources

Guidance on Modeling Unvented Attics in CA

See how SPF can be useful for the California Energy Commission’s 2016 requirements for High Performance Attics.

Guidance on Removal & Disposal of High Pressure SPF

Learn more about the variety of factors to consider when removing high-pressure SPF insulation from buildings.

Ventilation Guidance

Guidance Document on ventilating your jobsite.