Purchasing Commercial Roofing Equipment for Your Business
By Kevin MaloneAs a professional contractor, you need heavy-duty spray foam equipment to stand up to the rigors of roofing work. From portable to touch-up to high-capacity commercial roofing equipment, the key is reliability.
If you plan to specialize in commercial roofing, your best choice would be a high-powered hydraulic machine that will help you spray accurately and complete jobs more quickly. If you plan to focus on residential jobs, a mid-tier machine may work just fine and be less expensive.
If you also plan to do spray foam insulation, you will want commercial roofing equipment that can handle both jobs equally.
Commercial Roofing Equipment for Sale — Key Considerations
Here are some key factors you should take into account when considering commercial roofing equipment for sale.
Output Capacity
Consider the size of the roofing project and choose equipment with the appropriate output capacity to ensure efficient and timely application of the spray foam. For large commercial roofs, choose a machine with a high material output rate to handle large areas quickly.
High-output commercial roofing equipment for sale would include:
- Graco Reactor 2 H-50: A powerful machine that produces 52 pounds per minute to handle the most demanding jobs.
- PMC PH-55: This PMC model delivers 55 pounds per minute with the capacity you need for roofing jobs.
Depending on your needs and the type of jobs you plan to do, you may also want to consider mid-production models, such as:
- Graco Reactor 2 E-30: An electric spray foam machine with a more compact footprint with a maximum flow rate of 30 pounds per minute and 2 gpm.
- PMC PH-25: A hydraulic proportioner that delivers up to 30 pounds per minute for foam and 1.9 gpm for coatings.
Heating and Proportioning
Look for a proportioner unit that can accurately control the mixing ratio of the foam components and provide consistent heating to achieve the desired foam properties. A powerful and reliable heating system is crucial for consistent foam quality, especially in cold climates.
Spray Gun and Hose
Select a high-quality spray gun that can provide the desired spray pattern and consistency. Look for adjustable spray patterns to precisely control the foam application on different roof surfaces.
You also want to ensure the hose length is suitable for the project size and can withstand the operating pressures.
Remote Capacity
When you’re spraying a roof, you may be covering a lot of ground. You want easy-to-use controls, including remote capacity, to save time, especially if you’re mounting your spray foam equipment in a rig. This saves you from going up and down a ladder to adjust controls.
Mobility and Portability
For commercial roofing jobs, choose equipment that is easily transportable and can be maneuvered on the job site, such as skid-mounted or trailer-mounted units.
Material Compatibility
Ensure the equipment is compatible with the specific spray foam formulation you will be using, as different foams may require specialized equipment.
Safety Features and Alarms
Look for equipment with safety features, like overpressure relief valves, automatic shut-off switches, and other protective mechanisms, to minimize risks during operation. You should be able to preset alarms so that you get an instant warning if specs fall outside of your requirements.
Maintenance and Serviceability
Consider the ease of maintenance and access to service and support for the equipment. When you have to swap out parts on the job, it takes time. Modular designs make swapouts faster, so you reduce downtime.
Energy Efficiency
Consider equipment with energy-efficient designs, such as variable-speed drives or advanced temperature control systems, to reduce operating costs.
Consider Your Future Needs
With proper maintenance and cleaning, commercial roofing equipment can have a long lifespan. Before you start shopping for commercial roofing equipment for sale, think about where you envision your business to be years down the road.
You want as much flexibility and versatility, as you can afford, to take on different types of jobs. You’ll also want to ensure the equipment you buy can scale as your business grows.
Balancing Cost and Value
However, you always want to balance cost with value. While buying the highest capacity machine may give you the most flexibility, you may want to consider a mid-sized option that can meet your needs and save money upfront.
If you’re not sure what would be the right fit, the commercial roofing equipment specialists at Intech Equipment & Supply can help you find exactly what you need.
Contact Intech Equipment & Supply at (866)-652-9975 to talk to one of our experts or shop our spray foam machines online.
About Kevin Malone
Kevin Malone is a leading expert in the spray foam insulation industry with 34 years of experience in spray foam fluid handling and a passion for innovation. He currently offers his extensive knowledge to Intech Equipment and Supply customers by supporting them in selecting quality spray foam equipment to optimize their business. Learn more about Kevin here.