Open Cell Spray Foam Metal Roof
Some spray foam manufactures have tested primer coating products that result in the formulation of a class ii vapor retarder directly on the surface of the open cell spray foam.
Open cell spray foam metal roof. There seem to be no chemicals in spray foam that could react with steel or the galvanized protective coverings on the metal siding and roofing panels. Spf insulation can be open cell or closed cell. There are some cases where i could see some challenges. One would be if someone went on the cheap and used open cell spray foam rather than closed cell.
Most steel roofing is factory finish painted which adds yet another barrier surface in the interior primer paint coat which further isolates the steel from the spray foam. Spf insulation consists of isocyanate and polyol resin that is chemically combined and applied to surfaces using a spray gun. In our neck of the woods closed cell foam costs about 56 more than open cell. As a result in iecc climate zones 5 and higher building codes require the use of a vapor retarder if you install open cell spray foam.
Strong material that can strengthen walls roofs structure. Open cell foam provides insulation and air sealing for a building but is water and vapor permeable. Open cell spray foam is made of open cells that are softer and flexible with the physical structure similar to a sponge shape. It would be better to use a closed cell 2 pound density foam because it doesn t expand as much as open cell and is more likely to fill voids but not go through them.
Closed cell foam provides better insulation than open cell and also functions as an air barrier. Moisture from indoors can diffuse through the foam and find the cold roof sheathing where it accumulates and eventually rots the roof. How ducts in an unvented attic should be installed. An open cell foam about 0 5 pound density is the most cost effective way to insulate but any opening over 1 16 could cause the foam to expand out onto the roof.
We already know open cell spray foam is risky in cold climates. Open cell spray foam can also be used to create an unvented attic in cold climate zones provided code requirements for a vapor retarder are followed. The big picture concern is actually more about trapped moisture than whether the substances that make up spray foam insulation will corrode steel or metal sheets. However i own a spray foam rig and i wouldn t bother putting more than about 8 of open cell or 5 closed cell.
Open or closed cell spray foam is applied to the underside of the roof sheathing and additional fiberglass or cellulose insulation is blown in as a cost saving method for meeting high insulation requirements and filling in the cavity space between the rafters to the ceiling deck.