TPO, PVC, EPDM, SPF—there are a lot of commercial roofing options (and acronyms) to choose from. But what makes SPF the best choice, and what should you know before investing in it? R&A Contracting has put together some commonly asked questions about SPF to provide all the information you need to make an informed decision. What Is SPF Roofing? SPF roofing is made of two chemicals, isocyanate and polyol, which are sprayed onto the roof deck to form an insulative, waterproof foam. The chemicals might raise some red flags for you regarding safety. Once installed and cured, SPF is safe. Roofing technicians wear protective gear to avoid breathing in irritants as they apply the material, and as long as you aren’t right there when it’s being installed, you’re all good! How Long Does It Last? An SPF roof can last 30–40 years, sometimes longer. Recoating is recommended every 10–15 years. As with any other roofing material, its lifespan depends on the quality of the installation and how well it’s maintained afterward. What Are Some Advantages? Energy Efficiency - SPF has high thermal resistance, which improves building insulation and reduces heating/cooling costs. Versatile Installation - Foam can be installed over existing roofs, so you don’t have to spend a fortune on a total replacement. Adaptability - SPF isn’t just for flat roofing. As a flexible spray-on material, it can be layered over slopes and architectural features without damage. Leak Resistance - There are no seams or joints, just one smooth surface that seals out leaks and air. Sustainability - With less material to tear off and throw into the landfill, SPF is a more eco-friendly option. It’s also low in VOCs and ozone depletion potential. What Are Some Drawbacks? Initial Cost - SPF can be more expensive than some other roofing options, but that cost is offset by long-term energy savings and less frequent maintenance. UV Sensitivity - SPF is relatively sensitive to harsh sunlight, so keeping up with re-coats every 10 years is ideal. Dependence On Installation Quality - If applied incorrectly, an SPF roof can be prone to issues. A contractor who’s highly experienced in SPF roofing is a must. Is Maintenance Required? SPF roofs should be inspected at least twice a year. Spring and fall are great times to schedule maintenance so your system is ready for the harsher summer and winter months. Technicians will handle minor tasks like filling holes and cleaning the surface, preventing bigger issues in the long run. What Does the Installation Look Like? Generally, SPF installation can be described in four steps: Preparation – The existing roof is cleaned, dried, and prepped for the SPF. Application – Isocyanate and polyol, two liquid chemicals, are sprayed onto the surface to form a layer of foam. Curing – The foam expands quickly to create a rigid, watertight layer over the roof deck. Coating – A protective coating is applied over the SPF for extra strength, improving its weather resistance and longevity. How Can I Get SPF Roofing? This one’s the easiest question yet. R&A Contracting is proud to be a certified SPF installer for the greater St. Louis area. We apply foam roofing that’s seamless and efficient, so you can enjoy a cost-effective system with minimal hassle. Not to mention your employees and visitors will thank you for the comfier temperatures! Just give us a call at (636) 387-7557 to get started.

In St. Louis commercial roofing, TPO and EPDM have led the pack for a long time. But there’s a new leader emerging in STL: spray polyurethane foam, or SPF roofing. Here’s why more business owners are choosing SPF: Better Insulation TPO and EPDM are less effective at keeping indoor air, well, in. That means you have to spend more on heating and cooling to maintain comfortable temperatures, which can kill any facility’s budget. SPF is a much better thermal insulator, supporting better energy efficiency and lower utility bills. Seamless Application TPO and EPDM rely on seams that can break open in harsh weather and leak over time if not properly sealed or maintained. SPF, on the other hand, is sprayed directly onto the building. This spray application creates a seamless, watertight membrane that’s less susceptible to leaking. Versatility Because all you have to do is spray it on, SPF can be applied to a wide variety of roof surfaces—including your existing TPO or EPDM system. It strengthens what’s already there, sparing facility owners from a frustrating and expensive replacement. Compare this to TPO and EPDM, which aren’t suitable for all roofing configurations and require a lot of preparation to install. Durability SPF lasts up to 50 years with proper installation and re-coats. EPDM and TPO don’t typically last as long, and while they are a cheaper choice than SPF, the latter pays for itself in energy savings and a longer lifespan. Curb Appeal Regarding EPDM specifically, its flat, black appearance might be a bit lackluster depending on the type of business you operate. In comparison, the sleek, white look of SPF roofing might add a more modern and appealing finish customers can appreciate. Eco-Friendliness With spray polyurethane foam, there’s typically less stripping and removing of old roofing materials. The foam can be applied as part of a retrofitting or reroofing project, avoiding a complete tear-off that sends a lot of trash to the landfill. This is a great option for property owners who want a more environmentally friendly solution. Install an SPF Roof With R&A Contracting Convinced about SPF? R&A Contracting can install it for you! With over 35 years of industry experience, we keep facilities safe, comfortable, and leak-free by applying SPF to their roofs. Don’t wait to protect your business from the elements and extend the lifespan of your roof. Call R&A Contracting today, and we’ll manage a hassle-free SPF installation!

When it comes to protecting your roof, Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) is the best choice available. One of the great attributes to an SPF cool roof is its ability to withstand even the most severe weather elements. With routine re-coatings, an SPF roof has a lifetime guarantee. So, how is a SPF roof installed? SPF is seamless, watertight, and lightweight due to its original liquid state. SPF combines two elements, polyol and isocyanate, to create a dual-compound liquid foam. When the isocyanate and polyol contact each other, they instantly bond and begin the expansion process. During application the SPF expands to almost twenty times its liquid density, creating a monolithic covering over any roofing surface. As the SPF bonds and expands, it naturally adheres to any surface and seals off exposed cracks and seams. This eliminates any need for flashing and caulking. Many commercial roofing solutions rely on fasteners to hold flashing, seams, and joints into place. Each of those contact and seam points are vulnerable to incoming moisture. A fully cured SPF roofing solution can reliably withstand any standing water because of its air and watertight bonding. The closed-cell composition of SPF means there are no openings for water or moisture to invade exposed contact points. The end result is a durable, long-lasting monolithic covering that will greatly reduce additional maintenance upkeep, such as caulking around seams and replacing weather stripping around ductwork each year. The energy efficiency of SPF is a massive cost reducer for any commercial building. A standard SPF cool roofing solution can reduce HVAC costs by up to 30% per year! The airtight density of SPF creates a highly insulated covering that registers upwards of 6 R-Value in heat resistant indexes. Continued protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation is made possible through a thin elastomeric coating that can be continuously reapplied to protect the base coat of SPF. Re-applications are recommended once every 10-15 years, which is a significant change from continual maintenance of other com  mercial cool roofing solutions. As St. Louis’ expert in closed-cell SPF commercial cool roofing solutions, we strive to help businesses from Lake St. Louis to Chesterfield, Ballwin, Florrisant, U-City, and all over our great city save energy and protect their roofs for years to come. We do our best to give you the best because we put the proof in waterproof! Call R&A Contracting today! 636-387-7557

The roofing industry is probably the last thing most people think about when they look for ways to boost their bottom line through energy efficiency. However, taking a step back and looking at your roof can be crucial for a business owner or facility manager looking to make their property more energy-efficient. In the world of commercial roofing, spray foam is widely considered to be one of the most effective materials in terms of energy efficiency and durability. As a building owner or facilities manager, a tremendously durable roof that helps your facility improve its energy efficiency is a big-time win. Why SPF Roofing Is Energy Efficient Business owners and facility managers are responsible for staying up to speed with construction trends and industry buzzwords. They need to keep an eye on the latest technologies and be able to filter the buzzwords from the tech that is here to stay. Take the time to become familiar with cool roofing technologies. They are here to stay, and they are poised to deliver big energy savings for your organization. The big idea behind why cool roofs are here to stay is not complicated. A cool roof is any roofing component that incorporates technologies or materials that allow the roof to reflect and control more solar radiation than a traditional roofing surface. How Cool Roofs Can Save You Significant Money A cool roof may be an extra expense in the beginning, however, it can save your organization significant money over the long haul. The benefits to your bottom line include: A More Comfortable Environment: We tend to work better when we are comfortable. Your building will be cooler, and there will be less temperature fluctuation. The more comfortable your employees are, the more efficient they will be. Lower Energy Costs: The amount of energy needed to cool your building could be substantially reduced. This could bring a substantial energy savings to your organization. A Longer Lifespan for Your AC Units: Your AC units will have a lighter workload. This will increase their lifespan. A Longer Lifespan for Your Roof: Roofs covered with polyurethane foam are all but guaranteed to last substantially longer than roofs covered with conventional roofing materials. Let’s Talk About Increasing Your Energy Efficiency A polyurethane roof covering is going to reduce your energy costs, increase your roof’s durability and longevity, and make a much smaller environmental impact than a traditional roof. So now, the last thing you need to know is who to call if you’re interested in a foam roof for your building. Our roofing experts at R&A Contracting are among the best spray foam installers. Plus, we are commercial roofing experts. It is all we do. As a customer you can take comfort in knowing our roofing knowledge is only surpassed by our quality of customer service. We consider our customers part of the R&A family. Give us a call today for a free inspection to get started on your roofing project!

Running a contracting business is a lot of work, but the right tools make it easier. Today, general contractors have access to all sorts of software programs and applications that previous generations didn’t, which helps you save on materials costs, speed up project timelines, and avoid costly errors.

Saving money, increasing your building’s longevity, and using less energy is the trifecta of savings and efficiency for any business owner or facilities manager. SPF roo fing can dramatically increase a facility’s energy efficiency as well as the longevity of almost any roof. Coupling SPF roofing with solar power could lead to major wins for you and your organization. What Each Technology Brings to the Table Deciding to attach solar panels to your roof and install a foam membrane is a big decision, no matter which way you slice it. You should fully understand how each technology is going to impact your building’s energy efficiency. SPF foam is considered a ' cool roofing technology ' . Cool roofing technology is basically any roofing substance that allows a roof to maintain a cooler temperature than it would with a traditional roof covering. In terms of cool roofing, SPF provides several benefits that can add up to big increases in energy efficiency. SPF foam is typically light in color. And, if we think back on some basic science principles, we remember light colors reflect heat while dark colors absorb heat. The more heat your roof absorbs, the more heat will be transferred into the building. Because foam roofing does a great job of reflecting sunlight, building managers are able to maintain the building’s temperature using much less energy. Any HVAC technician worth his salt will tell you air leaks in buildings are a major cause of inefficiency as far as HVAC units are concerned. Air expands to fill whatever it is contained in, so naturally, if there are cracks and crevices in a building, it will find them and escape through them. Most conventional roofs are prime targets for escaping air. Not only do the roofs have seams, but there are also gaps and openings for items like vents and other HVAC equipment. These gaps and openings lead to air loss and a big decrease in energy efficiency. Foam roofing is the perfect antidote for decreases in energy efficiency through escaping air. If properly installed, SPF foam covers all of a roof’s seams, gaps, cracks, and crevices. It will automatically fill around any object that protrudes from or goes through the roof. After SPF foam is applied, you are left with a roof covering that is entirely one piece with no seams or gaps. This provides a tremendous boost in energy efficiency by reducing heating and cooling costs. Many business owners may think about upgrading to solar power and are wary of the cost. The great thing about solar power is you only have one significant expense to account for: the initial installation. After the initial installation there are rarely other costs associated with solar power. You can pay a little more upfront for solar power or continue paying for high-priced utilities month after month. It’s the financial question of whether you want to make a large investment upfront or smaller investments over a period of time. When you opt for solar power, you are not only making a decision about your company. You are making a decision about the future of your community and the future of our planet. The corporate responsibility that comes with making the decision to rely on solar power can be a truly tremendous benefit for many organizations. There is a vast amount of data showing that organizations who embrace social responsibility often see increased revenue, employee morale, brand equity and many more benefits. For example, according to the Network for Business Sustainability , “Improving environmental practices such as reducing pollution and improving waste management can lead to better financial performance through both increased revenues (e.g., enhanced brand equity) and lower costs (e.g., operational efficiencies).” Expected Cost of Solar Power Energy savings from solar power can be a gigantic boost to the financial bottom line of any organization. According to a study by Energy Sage, firms with commercial solar power configurations were able to decrease their overall energy expenditures by about 75%. The average electric bill for a business owner in the study was $1,950. After going with solar power, the electric bill became $500. That is a savings of $1,450 per month. If we extend this trend, we see that the average business owner is able to save $17,400 a year. Over a five-year term the business owner is boosting his bottom line by over $87,000 ! The cost of a solar panel varies depending on the make and model of the equipment as well as the solar panel installer. However, typically businesses are able to pay off their initial investment in three to seven years. The lifespan of a solar panel is 25 to 35 years. Realistically , a business could expect to receive free electricity for 20 to 30 years. Don’t Hesitate to Reach out If you want to start taking steps to increase your company’s bottom line through energy efficiency, drop us a line or give us a shout . We can guide you through the process of installing SPF roofing and answer any questions about the energy savings of SPF and Solar Panels! 

Myth: SPF roofing isn’t water-resistant. Truth: SPF insulation’s initial bonding and expansion process fills and seals any crack or crevice on any roofing substrate, making your new SPF roof highly resistant to water. The closed-cell construct of SPF insulation creates an impenetrable barrier to hold off the effects of moisture.

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR ROOF DECKING? When it comes to any commercial roofing repair and replacement, the health of a roofing deck is important to consider. For newer buildings the roof deck is still strong and intact, nothing to worry about outside of extremely rare circumstances and storm damage. That’s not always the case with older commercial roofs. The biggest issue with roof decking is neglect and ignorance from owners. Roof decking can deteriorate and compromise over time, causing big-time risks to your substructure and workspace below. Replacing your roof decking begins with a full inspection of the roof joints, decking, and rafters. Severe weather can create abnormally-sized holes in commercial roofing tiles or metal roofing. It may also puncture deeper into the roof decking. Deeper roof bruising can translate into increased exposure to weather elements and moisture building up under roof decking. This added exposure can bring risks, like mold, water damage, and structural issues if left unchecked. Larger roof damage can add even more risks during roof inspection and repair. At that point Justin Tyler, logistics manager for CentiMark Co . in Charlotte says, “The biggest fear is falling through the roof, not falling off it.”  A certified inspection by a roofing professional, such as our experts at R&A Contracting, will evaluate your roof, including roof decking, to monitor potential water and weather invasion during future storms. If your roof needs to be replaced, check with your R&A Contracting roof inspector to see their notes on your roof decking. We are committed to providing a thorough evaluation of your roof’s health, including the most important part: your roof decking. Call one of our R&A Contracting team members to schedule your on-site roof inspection today!

Business owners and facility managers have a lot on their plate. Keeping the business running and the building in tip-top shape can be an around-the-clock job. If y our building has a metal roof and the roof is leaking or seems to be in constant need of repeated repair, these headaches cannot only be tough on your budget, they can also lead to strain on your already precious time. To replace or not to replace, and that is the question. It is a question many folks responsible for the well-being of commercial buildings wrestle with all too frequently. This is a big decision, and a savvy building owner or property manager will take many things into consideration in order to make the right call. To Recover or Not to Recover Is great for building owners or property managers to be on top of the health of their roof. However, just because your roof has signs of damage does not mean the sky is falling and it is time rush out and get a new roof. Instead, the best approach is to take a deep breath and assess the situation with a bit of patience and diligence. Statistics show the typical lifespan for a metal roof ranges somewhere between 30 to 45 years. 30 to 45 years is certainly a reassuring range, but there are a few caveats to this statistic. Proper maintenance is a must to get this type of longevity out of any metal roof. The lifespan of a metal roof will fluctuate depending upon the type of metal from which the roof is made. When it comes to flat metal roofs, leaks are simply an almost inescapable fact of life. Many business owners or facility managers choose to go with a metal roof knowing full well there is a high probability of the roof developing a leak. They typically arrive at this decision because metal roofs are much cheaper to install. They are happy to save money up front, even if it means they will be forking out some bucks down the road to fix leaks. Signs Your Commercial Roof May Have Structural Damage Roofs with irreparable structural damage are typically the only instances where we will recommend a full roof replacement over a repair. A replacement is obviously the most costly option, but sometimes it simply cannot be avoided. Please note: If you suspect your roof has structural damage do not climb on top of the roof. For your safety, please consult a roofing professional if you have any doubt about your roof’s structural integrity. Here are some basic warning signs your roof may be the victim of structural damage. Low or sagging portions of the roof visible from ground level. Large areas of wet or moist insulation. Condensation inside the building. Mold growth inside the building. The roof is missing several fasteners. Need Help to Make the Right Call? Ask R&A Contracting. It can be tempting to fixate on simply repairing a roof to avoid the expense of a full replacement. However, repairing a roof which is ultimately in need of replacement is a penny wise and pound foolish endeavor. Our roofing experts have seen it all. We can help you navigate this tricky situation. We can also help you establish which energy efficient options are best for your business. Don’t hope your roof will make it through one more season. Give us a call today and rest easy with the peace of mind of knowing your roof is up to the challenge of protecting your building.