What Are Roof Coatings
Roof coatings are designed for protecting and extending the useful service life of roof assemblies for new construction and more commonly, existing roof coverings.Roof coatings are thicker than paint and have a higher solids content. Roof coatings are formulated to protect roofs from the damaging effects of weather and the environment, such as UV light, and excessive water and wind. They are formulated to provide protection for many years and are also extremely elastic; they typically contain a high level of top-quality resin. The high-quality resins and the volume of resins introduced during manufacturing allow the coating to maintain its elastic properties throughout its life cycle. Once cured, these resins form an elastomeric and durable film, which provides an additional measure of waterproofing and allows the roof coating to bridge small cracks and membrane seams found on roofs. Unlike paint, which is typically applied to portions of a gallon per 100 square feet, roof coatings are applied regarding multiple gallons per 100 square feet. Today, there are various types of roof coatings on the market that can benefit any roof.
Benefits of Roof Coatings
Roof coatings are applied to low slope roofs on residential, commercial, and industrial buildings to extend the life of a roof by preventing water, chemical, or physical damage which saves money for the building owner. Certain roof coatings even provide an extra level of waterproofing protection to help shed water to keep building interiors dry. Also, roof coatings are the most effective and least costly option to help buildings save energy.
How Roof Coatings Lower Roof Temperatures
Reflective roof coatings reflect visible light and infrared and ultraviolet radiation. This leads to lower roof temperatures which in turn helps reduce cooling costs for buildings with air conditioning units and reduce interior temperatures in buildings with no cooling units. By minimizing cooling costs in warmer climates, peak energy usage is reduced thereby decreasing the risk of power outages and the strain on the electrical grid.
How Roof Coatings Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect
The Urban Heat Island Effect is a regional elevation in air temperature, usually gauged by the difference between urban and rural air temperatures. On a typical summer afternoon, a clean white roof that reflects 80% of sunlight will stay about 55°F cooler than a gray roof that reflects only 20% of sunlight. Likewise, a cool-colored roof that reflects 35% of sunlight will stay about 22°F cooler than a traditional roof that looks the same but reflects only 10% of sunlight. Reflective roof coatings reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect and peak energy use which lowers carbon footprints and smog while lessening the amount of roofing waste going to landfills.
Benefits of Roof Coatings
The best way to maintain or restore your roof is the application of roof coatings. This effectively generates a second membrane on the roof surface which acts as ultra violet-proof and waterproof layer.
A white elastomeric roof coating can extend a roof’s life by:
- Creating a UV light barrier, which prevents substrate degradation.
- Resisting blistering under extended water ponding.
- Providing low-temperature flexibility.
- Developing a high degree of adhesion.
- Reducing daytime roof temperatures.
Consider Roof Coating
Reflective roof coating is your answer to a long lasting roof! If you’re considering this simple yet effective method of extending the life of your roof, call Builtech, we’ll help you decide which roofing material, and coating is the best for your family residence, commercial facility, or office complex – and handle all your installation projects, large and small.
Contact us the next time you need a roofing contractor. Our company offers free professional consultations. We proudly serve our customers in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties.
