Your Guide to Commercial Roofing Equipment

Introduction

Offering the right roof system can help your commercial roofing customers keep their properties safe from wind and water damage. One increasingly popular choice for insulating a commercial roof is Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation roofing and coating.

SPF insulation delivers extraordinary protection properties and appealing insulating qualities, giving building owners the opportunity to reap financial benefits from reduced utility costs.

Type of Coating Should You Use

What Type of Coating Should You Use in Commercial Roofing?

Traditionally, commercial roofers used acrylic roof coatings, a water-based, cost-effective solution for a variety of roofs. They are ideal in most climates and provide decent value. However, acrylics can lose thickness due to weathering and require a 50°F or above temperature for proper application. Also, they do not perform well in ponding-water situations.

Other commercial roofers opt for silicone roof coatings. Silicones are “moisture cured,” and humidity helps with the curing process. While silicones can weather well since they do not get hard or brittle, they can lose reflectivity over time. Silicone is also tricky to adhere to, so if a roof needs re-coating, you either must remove the original coating or apply a re-coat with a compatible silicone.

At Intech Equipment & Supply, we highly recommend high quality SPF roof coatings. They are impact resistant and can handle traffic exceptionally well.

There are two main types of SPF roof coatings: aromatic and aliphatic. While aromatic coatings are less expensive, they are not UV stable, so roofers often use them as a base coating. Alternatively, aliphatic coatings are UV stable, hold color well, and stay cleaner than other coatings.

The best part about an SPF roof coating system with an aromatic base and an aliphatic top coat is that the end product is resilient, stays clean and white, and is resistant to ponding water.

Following Commercial Roofing Equipment Basics

Tool Time

Most commercial roofing jobs require the following commercial roofing equipment basics in their stockpile at all times:

• Mobile spray rig. Spray rigs store all of the necessary tools and roofing equipment you need in one portable unit. In most cases, SPF contractors also keep their air and power utilities in their rig, along with a compressor and generator.
• A proportioning machine. These machines come in many shapes and sizes. Before purchasing a proportioner, consider features, such as drive system type, output, and pressure capacity.
• Spray gun/heated hoses. Spray guns and heated hoses perform the most vital functions of the SPF commercial roofing application process. They are available in three categories: mechanical purge, air purge, and solvent purge.
• Auxiliary equipment. In any given SPF roofing scenario, you will likely need extra equipment and power utilities. Roofers commonly utilize various power tools to prep substrates and perform set-up, operational, and completion tasks.

Should I Buy Used Commercial Roofing Equipment?

Should I Buy Used Commercial Roofing Equipment?

The market for used SPF equipment has been on an uptick over the last few years. In fact, buying used commercial roofing equipment can save a lot of money.

As a supplier of used commercial roofing equipment, our team of experts shares some of the advantages of investing in used equipment, especially for those of you who may be on the fence:

• For starters, contrary to buying new supplies, with used commercial roofing equipment, the biggest attraction is often the price tag. You can save a considerable amount of money, which, in turn, may allow you to buy even more equipment.
• Used commercial roofing equipment is advantageous for new or smaller businesses with a tight budget.
• If you have an interest in a specific type of older commercial roofing equipment, or you are hoping to augment some of the equipment you already have, buying used can be a smart choice.