Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Maintenance and Roof Life
Q: How long does a Dura-Foam roof last?
Q: How often does a Dura-Foam roof need to be re-coated?
Q: How much does a coating upgrade (re-coat) cost?
Q: What happens if a Dura-Foam roof is never re-coated?
Q: How long does a Dura-Foam roof last?
A: Without our recommended coating upgrade, one of our standard roofs will last at least 20 years with no maintenance. However, if a Dura-Foam roof is upgraded with the recommended re-coat and inspected periodically, the roof will last the life of the building and never have to be replaced.
Q: How often does a Dura-Foam roof need to be re-coated?
A: We recommend that the roof have its first re-coat about 5 years after installation. At 5 years, the roof will still look like new, but through experience we have seen that the new coating layer performs much more effectively when applied early. If the roof is re-coated late, the work will be more expensive due to additional surface preparation and the results won’t be as effective. Coating works like sun screen, it is far more effective when applied before getting a sun burn. The second re-coat typically is not required until 25 years after original roof installation. Between re-coats, Dura-Foam offers affordable preventative maintenance services where technicians perform any minor touch-ups that may be needed.
Q: How much does a coating upgrade (re-coat) cost?
A: A coating upgrade usually costs about a quarter of the original roof price when performed 5 years after the initial roof installation. Re-coat cost goes up incrementally with time for those who wait longer than 5 years to re-coat.
Q: What happens if a Dura-Foam roof is never re-coated?
A: After about 20 years, small pits will start to form all over the roof surface where the coating layers have worn out. These pits are easily visible and look like small dark holes in the roof surface. Layer by layer UV rays will gradually continue to degrade the underlying polyurethane foam causing the pits to enlarge and become deeper. This degradation process is so slow that it would take many years for a pit to become a leak. When surface damage of this nature has occurred, re-coating is not a viable solution for repair. When leakage begins the roof will need to be torn off and replaced.
Q: What kind of maintenance is recommended for the Dura-Foam Roof System? How much does the maintenance cost?
A: Before commenting on maintenance, let us mention that our leak-proof guarantee is valid regardless of whether or not the roof is maintained. Also, our roofs will last a minimum of 20 years with no maintenance. However, property owners who want the most value the Dura-Foam System are recommended to follow the Dura-Foam System Maintenance Schedule.
Go to our Dura-Foam System Maintenance Schedule page to get a summary of cost and associated savings.