- Good points here—seen plenty of spray foam nightmares myself during inspections.
- Spray foam can hide leaks for a long time, making small issues turn into big headaches down the road.
- Rigid foam is definitely easier to manage if you're hands-on with repairs. Easier to spot problems early, too.
- One thing I'd add: make sure your roof's drainage is solid before insulating. Even the best insulation won't help if water's pooling up there.
- Sounds like you've got it figured out now though...good call switching methods.
"Spray foam can hide leaks for a long time, making small issues turn into big headaches down the road."
Yeah, learned that lesson the hard way myself. Thought spray foam was the miracle fix until a tiny leak turned into a weekend-long roof teardown. Glad you're switching gears now—smart move.
Yeah, spray foam definitely has its pitfalls. I almost went down that road myself until a buddy of mine—who's a roofer—warned me off it. He said the same thing you guys mentioned: spray foam can mask leaks, and by the time you notice something's wrong, you're already dealing with rot or mold underneath. Not exactly the surprise you want when you're just trying to improve insulation.
I ended up going with rigid foam insulation boards instead, topped with a cover board and then a new modified bitumen membrane. It was more work upfront, but honestly, I'm glad I did it. The rigid foam gave me a consistent R-value across the roof, and since it's installed in layers, it's easier to spot and fix any issues down the line. Plus, if there's ever a leak, water tends to travel between layers rather than soaking into everything unnoticed.
One thing I'd suggest if you're going this route—make sure you stagger the seams of your insulation boards. It seems minor, but it really helps prevent thermal bridging and reduces the chance of moisture sneaking through. Also, don't skimp on the cover board; it protects your insulation from foot traffic damage and gives you a solid base for your roofing membrane.
I know spray foam can seem tempting because it's quick and easy, but after hearing stories like yours (and others), I'm convinced that taking the extra time to do it right pays off in the long run.
Good call on the rigid foam route—sounds like you dodged a bullet there. I've seen spray foam nightmares firsthand, and trust me, peeling back layers to find hidden mold is no fun... Glad it worked out for ya.
Rigid foam was definitely the safer bet here. Spray foam can be great, but only if the roof deck and ventilation are spot-on. I've seen moisture trapped underneath spray foam turn into a moldy mess within months... not pretty. Glad you avoided that headache.
