SPF Industry Getting Saturated?

I get a few magazines about SPF, polyureas, and coatings. I know that doesn't by any means make me the encyclopedia of knowledge in these areas, but it opens my eyes to the potential business in these fields, which is vast.

Especially eye-opening is the corrosion maintenance end of the high-end coatings (pipelines, bridges, ships, etc).

But I ain't young anymore, and don't have another lifetime to become proficient in these areas, which are indeed another trade within themselves. And you'd better have one helluva highly trained and intelligent crew for them and the equipment necessary.

It's still kinda riveting though, and I'll bet some contractors who know their stuff are making some serious money.

Roofguy Said: Aaron, I dont dispute that SPF has value. But these facts are pretty well accepted too: 1. Its more difficult to put on correctly than most other systems. 2. A lot of people are getting into the system, driving down installed-price in an already tough market. 3. Its more expensive to get into than other systems (chopped glass is more expensive to get into, too).

Every system has its downside, including mine and yours. Probably what is at work here that is less obviuos to the casual observer is that you dont derive some of your income from groups like this - we do. That means you approach this group more from a standpoint of pride, and I approach it more from a standpoint of the normal locking horns that goes along with selling and competing.

1. Yes, SPF is more difficult to install than any other system I have done. This means that to do it right, you gotta know your stuff. This doesn't warrant trashing another system to sell yours. If someone skimps on emulsions, I don't trash emulsions... that responsibility lies squarely on the particular installer, not on your source of income, like you guys do to us SPF'ers.

2. Yes, but they will fail, and in the process making the rest of us look bad. Fortunately, O have my references as well as long-successful upper end applications to refer back to. You have to be a roofer to be successful with SPF. Insulators try it, and have no previous experience with roofing, and screw things up.

3. Also correct, Tim. Now this point to me is another reason to make sure you're doing it right. Schooling in the system is a must, IMO, and I don't turn down any training that is offered.

Those that say it is junk simpply don't know what a proper SPF install is all about.They can't service, repair, maintain, specify, or even answer a question about it, so they bash it. Lowest of the low if you ask me.

I'm glad that you seem to be keeping things in perspective nowadays.

It seems as though SPF's popularity moves around different parts of the country...kinda like someone who moves around a lot to escape their past. Eventually that rep catches up with them again and, zip, time to move on, right Jed? ;)

Gotta hand it to ya, you did a very thorough job of hiding your identity through hundreds and hundreds of posts, and I can now see why. Alas, a few photos with linked-files and a few jedbr@bellsouth.net etc and it was just a tad short of perfect anonymity.

Rest assured, you will received exactly the degree of forbearance you have reserved for me and others. Shall we begin in CT? Anything you want to get off your chest there, Jeddie?

Those in glass houses... :)

What I noticed 20 +/- years ago in Calif., was that the majority of the SPF contractors were never roofers or roofing contractors....That surely led to less than desirable results....Mobile home accessory contractors did it a lot as I recall....That was good place for it, (trailers)....

Aaron Said: HAHA! Every roofing contractors association disagrees with the junk roofing theory on SPF.

I maintain a 20 year old foam roof for a major national corporation that is in great shape and just needs to phase in the re-coat.

I cant really blame you guys for fearing what you dont know... That is how most wars are implemented...pure ignorance. LMAO

Aaron, I don't dispute that SPF has value. But these facts are pretty well accepted too: 1. It's more difficult to put on correctly than most other systems. 2. A lot of people are getting into the system, driving down installed-price in an already tough market. 3. It's more expensive to get into than other systems (chopped glass is more expensive to get into, too).

Every system has it's downside, including mine and yours. Probably what is at work here that is less obviuos to the casual observer is that you don't derive some of your income from groups like this - we do. That means you approach this group more from a standpoint of pride, and I approach it more from a standpoint of the normal locking horns that goes along with selling and competing.

HAHA! Every roofing contractor's association disagrees with the "junk" roofing theory on SPF.

I maintain a 20 year old foam roof for a major national corporation that is in great shape and just needs to phase in the re-coat.

I can't really blame you guys for fearing what you don't know... That is how most wars are implemented...pure ignorance. LMAO

JET Said: Wouldnt bother me a bit if they all went under. That stuff is pure junk.......at ANY price.

JET

Like you probably did, I formed my opinions about PUF many years ago. That may be unfair to SPF because I'm sure improvements have been made...among them is that they don't even call it PUF anymore. :) In the general sense I agree, I think there are better places for it than on the roof.

Wouldn't bother me a bit if they all went under. That stuff is pure junk.......at ANY price.

JET