Energy Saving Synergies of Dura-Foam Roofing

Since 1981, Dura-Foam Roofing & Solar Center has been performing green upgrades that make sense for homes and business. Green building consultants recommend foam roofing for various synergies it introduces into building systems. Read below to find out how this system reduces energy consumption, helps the environment, and improves solar panel efficiency.

Spray polyurethane foam seals and insulates all sides of the thermal envelope.

Improve the Thermal Envelope

First, the insulation of a foam roof system is in the ideal location, at the outermost surface of the building envelope. Most other flat roof systems heat up and cool down with variations in exterior temperature. For example, the gravel in a built-up roof system gets very hot on summer days (up to 180 F) due to direct exposure to sunlight. Since the gravel is in direct contact with the roof surface, this heat physically transfers through the roof structure and into the building. Foam roof systems replace this inefficient mass at the building's exterior with polyurethane foam insulation. As a result, the entire roof structure becomes isolated from changes in outdoor temperature. With a foam roof, the underlying roof structure adapts to the interior room temperature. This shift in thermal envelope performance dramatically increases energy efficiency and interior comfort conditions.

Improve Solar Panel Efficiency and Reduce Cooling Loads

Second, Cool Roof Coatings reflect heat to reduce air-conditioning loads, improve interior comfort, and improve solar panel efficiency. The most effective Cool Roof Coatings are white. Rather than absorbing heat, these coatings reflect sunlight back into the environment. Cool Roof systems result in a bright environment at the roof surface which increases electrical production of solar panels. Since heat is no longer absorbed by the roof surface, interior air-conditioning loads get reduced. Also solar panels work more efficiently when they are cool due to lower resistance in their electrical circuitry. Roof coatings themselves last longer when they are white because white absorbs less heat. Excessive heat tends to wear out coatings and other materials prematurely. If white is not your favorite color, you can still get a Cool Roof system, but the other options tend to be light colors.

Eliminate Convection and Infiltration Losses

Third, spray polyurethane foam is immune to convection and infiltration. Other types of insulation, such as fiberglass and foam board, lose a lot of energy due to cycling of air within the insulation itself. For example, in a study cavity, air constantly cycles between the interior and exterior wall surfaces transmitting in a process known as convection. Convection occurs in fiberglass batts, blown cellulose, and other types of porous insulation. In contrast, spray polyurethane foam does not allow convection because air cannot travel through it. Spray foam insulation also eliminates unwanted air infiltration because it completely seals stud wall cavities and other parts of the building envelope.