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Roof Coatings

The Complete guide

There is more to roofing than total replacement.

When considering lifecycle costs, it can make sense to prolong the life of the roof with coatings and qualify for a fresh NDL
warranty on an existing roof.

Reflective roof coatings extend the service life of a mature roofing system.

Lasting restoration or repair delays capital
expense until an expensive tear off or overlay is necessary.

In this roof coatings guide ››

You're going to learn everything you need to know about the benefits and possibilities for extending you roof life with roof coatings.

Roof Coating Details

What are Elastomeric Roof Coatings?

Elastomeric roof coatings are an ideal way to protect your roof from damage. In fact, some can prolong a roof’s lifespan by up to twenty years.

Silicone, asphalt, polyurethane, and acrylic elastomeric roof coatings are the most common options.

These are typically applied by a roller or spray. Roofers will use multiple gallons per 100 square feet to ensure the roof is fully sealed.

Elastomeric roof coatings should not be mistaken for paint.

They’re both liquids, but that is where the similarities end.

Elastomeric roof coatings are far more effective than paint for a number of reasons:

  • They are thicker than paint
  • They are specifically designed to protect the roofing from inclement weather and the ravaging effects of too much water, wind, and UV light
  • They are made using top-tier resin to ensure elasticity
  • They effectively seal small cracks and seams in the roof
  • Elastomeric roof coating is eco-friendly. It insulates the roof in extreme weather to keep a building at the ideal temperature

An elastomeric roof coating can be used on a range of roofing materials.

However, some preparatory work is required to ensure the coating is as effective as possible.

  • The roof should be cleaned before applying an elastomeric coating.
  • The roof should be inspected for signs of damage. Even the best roof coating cannot fully protect a roof in need of significant repairs.
  • Concrete, masonry, gypsum, block, brick, and metal surfaces need a coat of primer before roof coating is applied. The roof must be completely clean and dry before applying the primer. An expert may need to check the roof substrate to select the best type of primer to use for the project.

Benefits of Roof Coatings

Roof coatings offer substantial benefits over other roofing systems in key areas.

Here are a few benefits of roof coatings:

Improves Green Reputation

Individuals the world over are becoming increasingly aware of the need to preserve the environment and lower emissions.

Applying an eco-friendly coating to your roof shows your employees, clients, and business partners that you care about your community and are happy to do your part to keep it clean.

Reduces Energy Consumption

A roof coating keeps energy bills low, which is in itself a great advantage. However, even more importantly, it reduces a company’s carbon footprint. As buildings account for up to 40% of all energy used and a whopping 33% of global GHG emissions, anything that can be done to reduce energy consumption goes a long way in protecting the environment.

Increases Energy Star Rating

Even a building that was originally designed to be energy efficient can become less efficient over time. As the structure changes due to weather, improvements, the addition of new employees, or what have you, energy efficiency levels can plummet, sometimes drastically so.

Coating a roof is a relatively simple yet effective way to raise a building’s Energy Star rating. This not only helps a building owner stay in step with local regulations but can also boost a building’s value when sold.

Protects Against Roof Leaks

As was touched on earlier, coating a roof is not a substitute for fixing leaks. However, a good roof coating can prevent a roof from developing leaks. What’s more, it also protects the roof from mold and mildew damage that could cause serious structural damage that may be difficult and/or expensive to repair.

Extends The Life Of Your Roof

Coating a roof can be costly, but it will save you money in the long run. You won’t need to replace your roof as often as would have been needed otherwise. Your roof will require less maintenance than before as the coating protects the roofing material from many types of damage.

Keeps Your Building Cooler

Because roof coatings have a reflective surface, they won’t absorb the summer heat or winter chill. This helps to keep the building insulated, thus lowering energy bills year-round.

Where Can You Apply Roof Coatings

Metal Roof Coatings

A metal roof must be in good repair to protect workers applying the coating and ensure the coating is as effective as it is meant to be.

If your roof is mildly rusted, apply acrylics and silicones before the coating process. Alternatively, you can use a SEBS coating without prior treatment for rust unless your roof is severely rusted.

Bear in mind that fiberglass skylights also pose a hazard to workers.

Make sure the skylight isn’t painted the same color as the roof to prevent accidents in the future.

TPO Roof Coatings

Because TPO membranes do not have much surface energy, it is difficult for roof coatings to stick properly to the surface without prior treatment.

To ensure your roof coating lasts long-term, you may want to sand down the surface.

You’ll also want to apply a suitable primer before applying the roof coating.

Asphalt and Modified Bitumen Roof Coatings

An asphalt or modified bitumen roof will need special care before applying roof coating.

New bitumen and asphalt roofs will need to age for at least ninety days to allow excess oil to dry off before applying primer and/or roof coating.

Asphalt or bitumen roofs that are more than ninety days old don’t have as much retained oil as new roofs.

However, they do have some, so you’ll need to apply a stain blocker before coating to ensure the oil does not stain your roof coating.

PVC Roof Coatings

PVC is naturally rigid, making it hard to coat a new PVC roof.

If you have a roof made from this material, you’ll need to allow the PVC to age before applying either a silicon or acrylic coating.

EPDM Roof Coatings

EPDM roofs are incredibly durable. They’re ideal for any climate with severe inclement weather.

Unfortunately, they aren’t very compatible with solvents used in roof coatings, as the chemicals in the solvents cause the EPDM to swell.

This doesn’t mean you can’t coat an EPDM roof.

However, it does mean you’ll need to choose a solvent with care. Consult a roof coatings installer if you need help selecting a solvent.