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Understanding air flow and heat transfer with SPF insulation

31 Mar 2016 | Under SPF Insulation | Posted by | 0 Comments

Think about the last time the door slammed shut when no one else was around. It probably made you jump a bit, right?! No, it wasn’t ghosts, just the wind or air letting you it’s still a force of energy to respect. There are other elements of energy that are more subtle but still important to factor into commercial building energy retention. If we’re going to understand how SPF insulation works so well, we need to take a closer look at four crucial elements of energy:

  1. Moisture flow
  2. Air flow
  3. Vapor condensation
  4. Heat transfer

Moisture in commercial buildings

Moisture, namely water, is the easiest energy flow to detect. If your roof has a leak, you know it’s leaking because of the drip (or flood) coming into your warehouse or office space. Water exposure can be far more difficult to detect when it enters cavities as moisture: microscopic molecules of water that can create devastating environments, most importantly mold. Professional mold remediation from a commercial building can easily cost upwards of $10,000.

Spray Polyurethane Foam, or SPF, insulation expands during the liquid application process. SPF bonds to any substrate, including metal, and effectively seals off openings, cracks, and exposures. SPF roofing is the most efficient commercial roofing solution for eliminating water and moisture exposure.

Air flow in commercial buildings

Air flow through commercial buildings is necessary for ventilation and climate control, especially in extreme weather conditions. Our previous post about maintaining energy efficiency through commercial building envelopes speaks to the multiple layers required to properly control air flow.

Since SPF insulation expands immediately upon contact, it can also grow to seal off air flow to vulnerable areas throughout a building’s envelope. The end result is an airtight, albeit vapor and heat transfer-susceptible, building envelope without additional measures.

Vapor condensation in commercial buildings

The concept of vapor compared to wind because with the distinction of motion: air flow is moving, hence the name, air “flow,” while vapor is moisture or substance, namely moisture, suspended in non-moving air. When air rich with moisture, also known as humidity, is trapped inside a building envelope, it can allow pre-mold spores to develop and compromise the building environment. Some commercial roofing contractors explore the option of adding a Vapor Retarder in commercial roofing, especially with membrane roofing systems. (NRCA)

Heat transfer in commercial buildings

When UV rays strike a built-up roof (BUR) surface, it can conduct heat through the roof surface and raise the building’s attic temperature. BUR surface temperatures can reach as high as 150°. The coinciding attic temperature can easily reach into 120-130° range. This places unnecessary strain on the building’s HVAC system and increases energy usage.

SPF roofing solutions create a monolithic covering to reflect a significant portion of the UV heat radiation. Adding the highly recommended elastomeric UV coating gives the SPF roof another layer of protection.

Our R&A Contracting team is St. Louis’ leader in SPF commercial roofing solutions. If your building is losing energy by moisture, air, vapor, or heat transfer, your first call should be to R&A Contracting. We look forward to hearing from you.


Jim Lowry - Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier


Jim Lowry - Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier


Jay Moore, President of Safe Way Tire and Auto Center


Will from Dardenne Prairie, MO


Jerry from SLR Properties


Lindell from Greater Missouri Builders (GMB)


Ross from Troy, MO


Director of Facilities for a large Property Management Company


Will from O'Fallon, MO