
Roof coating is a membrane layer applied to a roof to provide it with more protection against the elements and seasonal weather conditions. Coating a roof is one of several roof maintenance services that professional roofers offer to extend the lifetime of a building’s roof. Applying the material often involves repairing weak or broken areas before coating the entire roof in a solid layer of the material the client chooses.
There are several coating materials an individual can decide to purchase for their building’s roof, so it’s a good idea to explore coating types and learn about the differences between the materials before choosing one.
There are a few main types of roof coating to choose from, and each type has its strengths.
Not all roof coatings are created equal, and different materials are more suitable for certain locations and roof types. For example, metal roof coating will benefit more from a silicone or acrylic material over an asphalt emulsion material.
Additionally, there are other factors to consider when choosing a roof coating material, which we’ll cover briefly.
Of course, strength is a crucial component of roof coating preference. Measured in psi (pounds per square inch), a material’s strength refers to the pressure it can handle before it cracks.
Most robust material: Polyurethane or Silicone
A coating’s permeability is the material’s ability to allow liquid or gas to pass through it. At a glance, the coating type’s permeability does not necessarily mean it’s either good or bad at resisting moisture. Permeability and moisture resistance depends significantly on the material itself. Silicone has a low permeability rating, which means it’s resistant to moisture. Yet, the high permeability rating of acrylic shouldn’t suggest the opposite. Instead, it means that acrylic is simply more breathable than silicone.
Highest moisture resistance material: Silicone or Elastomeric
Solid volume is how much of the coating material will remain on the roof once the product dries. Coatings with high solid volumes will require less material to coat a roof, while those with low volumes will take more material because of shrinkage as the material dries.
Highest solid volume material: Silicone
Roof coatings with high emissivity values can release heat that the surface absorbs more efficiently than coatings with low emissivity values. Emissivity is measured as a decimal point between 0 and 1, and a .65 is considered to be a decent value.
Highest emissivity material: Acrylic, Silicone, or Elastomeric
Reflectivity is a material’s ability to reflect light. A high reflectivity percentage means that the material reflects a significant amount of light and thus reduces the heat that’s otherwise gained from the sun’s rays beating down on the roof. Light-colored materials are generally great reflectors.
Highest reflectivity material: Acrylic or Silicone
Elongation refers to how stretchable a coating material is. The higher the elongation rating, the more enduring the coating will be when it comes to the regular expansion and contraction of the roof. Materials with low elongation values may thin, crack, or peel if the roof expands and contracts.
Highest elongation material: Elastomeric
Cost is a big part of the decision-making process, and pricing that fits within an individual’s budget is often the defining factor when it comes to coating materials.
Acrylic and asphalt coating are the most affordable coating types, followed by polyurethane. Silicone and Elastomeric coating are more costly coating options. Still, silicone has a higher solid volume, meaning less of the product will be needed to complete a solid layer.
For more information about roof coating materials, it’s wise to seek assistance and professional advice from an experienced roofing company. To save time you’d otherwise spend reading through “roof coating company near me” search results, let Roof Evolution be your one-stop roofing expert.
Give us a call, and we’ll provide you with all of your options and answer any questions you may have.
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