A roofing option that could mean foam-sweet-home
Foam roof costs range from $4 to $7 per square foot, making spray foam one of your most affordable flat roofing options available.
Your spray foam roof lasts 25 to 30 years with proper maintenance, outlasting built-up roofs, TPO, EPDM, and most other flat roofing materials.
Spray foam roofing requires specialized equipment and precise application, so finding experienced installers in your area can be challenging compared to standard flat roofs.
Hiring a local roofing professional provides reliable help with proper foam application and silicone coating, keeping your installation watertight and energy efficient.
When it comes to replacing a flat roof, spray foam roofing is an often-overlooked option, but it’s one of the most affordable roofing solutions and boasts a longer lifespan than built-up roofs, TPO roofs, and EPDM roofs. In this guide, we’ll discuss all of the pros and cons of spray foam roofing to help you decide if this is the route you should take for your building.
Spray foam roofing is a unique type of roof with a three-layer application. First, your installer will spray expanding foam over your roof deck or existing roof. The solution expands and creates a layer of highly insulating foam. The roofing professional you hire will then spray on a bottom coat of silicone for protection and then a top coat of silicone. Finally, they’ll spray granules or roof grit onto the top layer of silicone to add texture and protection.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long lifespan | Not widely available |
| Affordable | Hard to install |
| Can go over old roof | Prone to puncture |
| Energy efficiency | Expensive repairs |
| Low risk of leaks | Regular maintenance |
Spray foam roofing lasts for 25 to 30 years with proper maintenance and upkeep. You’ll get more useful life from a spray foam roof than a tar and gravel roof, a TPO roof, an EPDM roof, and most other flat roof options.
Spray foam roofing costs between $4 and $7 per square foot, putting it among the most affordable flat roofing materials available.
| Flat Roof Option | Cost (per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|
| Built-up roof | $4–$10 |
| EPDM | $5–$13 |
| Modified bitumen | $4–$8 |
| TPO | $4–$14 |
One major benefit of spray foam roofing is that you can install it directly over your existing roof. That means labor contributes less to your roof replacement costs, as you don’t need to pay to have the old roofing material removed before the installation.
The expanding foam that makes up the bulk of a spray foam roof has an R-value of 6.5. This is many times higher than a built-up roof (around 0.35) and single-ply roofing membranes like TPO and EPDM. As a result, a spray foam roof is ideal for maintaining interior temperatures, especially in extreme climates.
The double-silicone layer over a spray foam roof means that it’s unlikely to leak unless the roof sustains damage.
Of course, there are some downsides to a spray foam roof that you should consider carefully before deciding if this is the right roof option for you.
Spray foam roofing is much less prevalent than built-up roofs (BURs) and even TPO and EPDM roofs. As such, you may struggle to find a roofing company near you that has the necessary equipment and experience to install it.
A big part of why spray foam roofs are relatively uncommon is how difficult they are to install. They require specialized and expensive equipment, and the application process for the layers of roofing needs to be done properly to maintain good, even coverage and a proper slope for drainage.
Spray foam is a delicate material compared to many other roofing options, so it’s prone to puncture from physical impact. If you live in an area that sees hail storms and extreme weather that can blow debris onto your roof, this may not be the best option for you.
Repairing a spray foam roof is more affordable than many other roof materials. However, due to that low physical durability, a spray foam roof will need more frequent repairs, especially if your roof sees a lot of wear and tear from extreme weather. Those repair costs will add up over time.
Regular repairs are necessary with a spray foam roof, but you’ll also need bi-annual inspections to check for damage and weaknesses. Regular DIY inspections, especially after severe weather, will also be necessary. Any damage to the thin silicone layers can quickly lead to deterioration of the foam and roof leaks.
Spray foam roofing is an option for flat roofs, so be sure to compare it to other flat roof materials before deciding if it’s the best option.
Built-up roof: Built-up roofs have slightly shorter lifespans but greater physical durability. They’re a bit more expensive, and they provide far less insulation.
EPDM: EPDM is more durable than spray foam roofing, but it’s more expensive to repair and provides less insulation. It can also be up to twice as expensive to install.
Modified bitumen: Modified bitumen roofs cost the same as spray foam roofs, but they only last for 20 years. However, repairs are less frequent.
TPO: TPO is a good option for hot climates but isn’t as energy-efficient as spray foam roofs in colder climates. TPO has a much shorter lifespan and similar durability, but it can be up to twice the cost to install and is more costly to repair.
Spray foam roofing might be the ideal option for your flat roof if you live in an area that sees extremely cold or hot temperatures and infrequent severe weather. It’s the most insulative and energy-efficient type of flat roof, but blown debris and hail can quickly lead to issues. If you don’t see severe weather often, a spray foam roof will likely give you the most value for your money.
Spray foam roofing is also a good option to consider if you want a low installation cost and don’t mind carrying out more frequent maintenance.
D1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCThis place took $25,000 for a flat roof job with a five-year warranty and never returned to fix the leaks that were caused by their work. These people are not professionals and should not be doing this type of work. They incorrectly changed the pitch of the roof, and caused more damage than...
The technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimneyI am really impressed with their timeliness and turnaround. Mitchell came out, and we decided to move forward with their pricing. Our roof was on within a week, and we could not be happier with their team! Amazing company, great prices and honest, dependable craftsmanship. I highly recommend...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioManuel Calvillo is the best option in the area for roofing and you won't be disappointed.
They damaged multiple items on my property, including a marble slab used as a table top, tried to hide it, and refused to pay or replace. Arrived day one without a ladder to access roof & delayed a day. Left a mess in back yard; didn't wear face masks; no show by owner to property to see damages
Grants Tree ServiceI've hired Gary/Cherokee Roofing for two different homes, work quality, responsiveness, and completion have been great both times. And the prices quoted were very competitive. I would definitely hire again.
Lyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
Lyle EnvironmentalBradley Builders did a good job replacing the roof on our front porch. They color-matched the existing shingles on the rest of the house and installed a metal ridge roll since we live in a historical neighborhood. They did the job while we were out of town. When we got back, everything was...
Bradley Builders, Inc.They did some gutter work for me, and from what I hear, they are a great roofing company as well.
Feazel, Inc.From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Spray foam roofing is a budget-friendly option to protect your home from energy loss and water damage. Learn how much spray foam roofing costs.
Trying to calculate how much spray foam insulation costs? Our in-depth guide breaks down pricing by type, amount, and where you install it.
Discover the average injection foam insulation cost, key price factors, and ways to save. Get transparent estimates to plan your home insulation project confidently.
Weigh the pros and cons of spray foam insulation before choosing an insulation to keep your home comfortable.
Wondering how long a spray foam roof lasts? Learn about the average lifespan, factors that affect the timeline, and tips for extending lifespan in this guide.
Spray foam and tar and gravel are two common options for flat roofs. Learn the differences between foam roofs and tar and gravel to see what you need.
