When selecting the right roofing system for schools and universities, longevity, energy efficiency, and predictable maintenance costs are key factors.
Two roofing solutions that stand out among the rest are:
- The spray polyurethane foam roofing system
- The silicone roof coating system
Both systems provide energy savings and/or reflectivity, but most importantly, they have renewable warranties. Both systems can be recoated over and over again. Future tear-off is avoided. And future roofing costs are predictable and accurate.
Here are the main points of the article:
- Roofing systems that last as long as the school is up
- R-value, HVAC units, and energy savings
- Forecasting roofing expenses
- The best roofing system depends on what roofing system is currently installed
And just so you know, this article has been read, edited, and approved for publishing by one of our owners who has more than 30 years of commercial roofing experience.
Let’s get started!
1. A Roof for a Lifetime
Schools and universities are built to last, serving generation after generation of students. The same can be true for their roofs.
Unlike traditional roofing systems that may require a complete replacement every 15-25 years, spray foam roofing provides a long-term solution. Once a spray foam roof is installed, it can be recoated every 10-20 years, making it the last roof the institution will ever need.
This saves time, money, and minimizes disruptions, ensuring that educational activities continue without the hassle of a complete tear-off.
2. Superior Energy Efficiency and Temperature Control
With thousands of students, staff, and faculty occupying educational buildings, maintaining a comfortable indoor environment is crucial.
Spray foam roofing systems excel in temperature control due to their high R-value of 6.5 per inch of thickness, which is the best R-value per inch versus any other type of insulation.
A higher R-value means better insulation, reducing the amount of heat or cool air that escapes through the roof. This leads to less HVAC usage, ultimately translating to significant cost savings on energy bills.
By investing in a spray foam roof, schools and universities create a more comfortable learning environment and achieve greater energy efficiency, reducing their carbon footprint and operational costs.
NOTE: When increasing R-value, yes, your energy costs will be reduced, but a benefit that’s not often recognized is the reduced HVAC usage. When HVAC units aren’t used as much, they last longer and don’t require as much maintenance.
3. Predictable Future Roofing Expenses
Budgeting and forecasting are essential for schools and universities.
Spray foam roofing systems come with a 10-20-year warranty. The warranty can be backed by the product manufacturer, the contractor, or both. Each can be a Full System (covering material and labor costs), NDL (No Dollar Limit), NPR (Non-prorated), and renewable once the warranty ends.
When the warranty period ends, the roof can be recoated at a fraction of the initial installation cost—typically 33-50%.
This predictability allows institutions to plan for roofing expenses well in advance, ensuring financial stability and avoiding unexpected costs.
For schools and universities committed to long-term planning, spray foam roofing offers an excellent balance of durability, cost-efficiency, and foresight.
4. The Best Roof System Depends on Your Existing Roof
After researching past school roofing projects in our database, it’s clear that many buildings currently have a TPO or Gravel Built-Up roof. The optimal roofing solution often depends on the existing roof type:
- Single-ply Roofs (TPO, EPDM, PVC): A silicone roof coating system can be an excellent choice for schools with single ply roofs. Sometimes, a silicone coating can be applied directly over the single ply, providing a seamless and weather-resistant layer that enhances the roof’s performance. This approach also offers a renewable warranty, extending the life of the existing single ply roof without the need for a costly tear-off. Eligibility is always a concern for silicone roof coating projects.
- Gravel Built-Up Roofs: Schools with Gravel Built-Up roofs face unique challenges due to the rough, uneven surface left after removing loose gravel. Traditional roofing materials often struggle to adhere to or provide the proper slope cost-effectively on such surfaces. However, spray foam is a perfect solution for this situation. After wet-vacuuming off the gravel, spray foam can be applied directly to the membrane. The foam is fluid-applied and self-adhering, creating a thick (minimum 1” of thickness), seamless membrane that provides exceptional protection, insulation, and the proper slope.
NOTE: Some single ply roofs are in too poor of a condition to simply be coated. Some areas holding wet insulation may need to be removed and replaced, a complete tear-off could happen, or a coverboard might have to be used.
Conclusion
For schools and universities looking to invest in a roofing system that provides durability, energy efficiency, and financial predictability, spray foam roofing and roof coating systems are an unmatched choice.
By choosing spray foam or silicone roof coatings, educational institutions are not just installing a roof; they are investing in the future of their facilities.
With the ability to recoat rather than replace, superior insulation properties, and predictable future costs, spray foam roofing (or coating systems) stand out as the best roofing system for schools and universities.
Here are some other resources you might find helpful:
- Case Study: Mercer County Career Center – Learn how spray foam eliminated the costly complete tear-off, resulting in a new roof that cost 1/3 of the alternative solution.
- Case Study: Midview High School – Learn how a silicone roof coating system gets Midview High School to critical year 11.
- Case Study: Oakview Elementary – Learn how a 20-year-old EPDM roof was “re-roofed” with spray polyurethane foam.
