Commercial roof coatings play an integral role in the life and performance of a roofing system. A protective coating shields the underlying roofing material from UV rays, temperature changes, harsh weather, and foot traffic.
While not every commercial building will need a roof coating, these valuable protective layers make sense for properties that want to extend the life of their roof with extra protection.
Let’s explore why roof coatings are important, what properties they make sense for, and the different types available.
Benefits of Commercial Roof Coatings
Roof coatings have many benefits for commercial building owners wanting to protect their roof and prolong its lifespan while enhancing performance. Commercial roof coatings can:
- Extend your roof’s lifespan. When properly installed and maintained, a roof coating can add up to 15 years of life onto your existing roofing system.
- Improve energy efficiency. Roof coatings can improve energy efficiency by reflecting the sun’s rays and reducing cooling expenses for your property.
- Reduce roofing maintenance. The right coating can enhance protection against wear and tear and can reduce roof repairs and maintenance over the life of your roofing system.
- Save you money. Thanks to their performance-enhancing capabilities and the fact that they help building owners put off a roof replacement, roof coatings can help save you money over the life of your roof.
Different Types of Commercial Roof Coatings
The roofing industry has seen significant innovation in the past few decades, with roof coating products becoming increasingly popular. There are three main types of commercial roof coatings: acrylic, polyurethane, and silicone.
Acrylic Roof Coatings
A popular choice among property owners for their cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly properties, these water-based coatings provide excellent resistance against the sun’s rays while keeping your building cool during hot summer days. Acrylic also tends to be easier to install and may take less time to apply than other types of coatings.
Polyurethane Roof Coatings
Known for their strength and impact resistance, polyurethane roof coatings are an ideal solution for roofs that face heavy foot traffic or harsh elements. Polyurethane offers a seamless barrier that helps protect against leaks and weather-related damage, which also makes it a worthy consideration for roofs that see pooling water.
Silicone Roof Coatings
If you’re dealing with extreme weather conditions like high or low temperatures, harsh sunlight, or deep ponding water on flat surfaces, then silicone may be the roof coating for you. This durable material is highly resistant to UV light degradation, making it one of the most durable industrial roof coatings available today. It also has enhanced water-resistant properties which makes it an excellent choice for roofs that need extra protection against standing water and leaks.
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Cost-Effectiveness of Roof Coating Systems
Commercial property owners come to a point when they need to decide whether to repair or replace their roofs. But there’s another solution that’s frequently overlooked–roof coating systems.
Roof coatings can save money and prolong the lifespan of your existing roof. The best part is that there’s no need to tear off the old roof and install a new one–a commercial roof coating can be applied over the existing roof’s surface, as long as the original material is in good condition.
Rather than going for a full roof replacement, many business owners have realized the economic sense behind investing in durable coatings like acrylic, silicone, or polyurethane, which offer high resistance against common types of roof damage.
These protective layers contribute significantly to energy efficiency as well, meaning you continue saving money long after installation.
No need to go for a full roof replacement with roof coatings. Not only can commercial and industrial roof coatings save you money, but their durability and energy efficiency also mean long-term savings. #RoofingTips #CostEffective
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Selecting the Right Commercial Roof Coating
Choosing the right coating material for your commercial roof is essential to maximizing your investment into your roofing system. Here are a few things to consider when selecting the right roof coating:
Assessing Your Existing Roofing System
The first step to picking a roof coating is understanding the condition of your current roofing material. The types of surfaces that can benefit from coatings include built-up roofs, metal roofs, modified bitumen roofs, single-ply roofs, and sprayed polyurethane foam systems.
Each type has unique properties that influence how well it’ll bond with different coatings, and the condition of your roof matters as well. A professional commercial roofer can assess your roof and help you determine which coating would be best.
The Location of Your Commercial Building
Different climates need different coatings. For instance, buildings that get a lot of direct sunlight or heavy rain, demand more robust materials than roofs in milder areas. Assessing the unique needs of your property is important, so make sure to take these into account when looking at your roof coating options and how well they will hold up over time.
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FAQs About Commercial Roof Coatings
What are commercial roof coatings?
Commercial roof coatings are protective layers of waterproof materials applied to roofs. They protect the original roofing material against harsh weather, UV rays, and heavy foot traffic.
What is the most durable roof coating?
Silicone-based coatings are very durable. They withstand extreme weather conditions thanks to their superior water resistance. However, the most durable roof coating for your specific property will depend on your roofing material, your building’s location, and whether your roof needs to withstand heavy foot traffic.
What roofing materials can be coated?
Single-ply materials such as PVC, EPDM, and TPO can be coated, as well as roofs made of metal, modified bitumen, and even built-up roofs.
How long does a roof coating last?
A roof coating can potentially last up to 15 years, at which point the roof would need to be re-coated or replaced.
Book a Consultation for Your Roof Coating Today
CDS Roofing works with commercial and industrial building owners to apply high-quality roof coatings and extend the life of their roofing systems. Contact us today to book a free consultation for your commercial or industrial roof coating and learn more about your options!
