Roof Coatings For Flat Roofs
What if we told you that you can renew your roof’s waterproofing capabilities without replacing your entire roof system? A roof coating, will renew your roof into a seamless, low-maintenance system with long-lasting performance… while renewing your warranty!
Much more than roof paint, a Roof Coating from Placke Restoration Contractors, out of St. Louis, Missouri, delivers a high-performance, economic, and environmentally friendly alternative to re-roofing. If your existing roof is in relatively good shape but reaching the end of its warranty, Placke Restoration Contractors has the answer for you.
A Smart Alternatives To Re-Roofing
Silicone Roof coating
A Silicone Restoration Membrane is a versatile and self-flashing silicone membrane material perfect for commercial roof renewal. After the existing roof is clean and repaired, the silicone coating is sprayed on, sealing any imperfections and adding a waterproof layer on your commercial roof.
Whether your roof is flat or pitched, an SRM can handle any type roof, including those with skylights, vents, HVAC units, and drainage systems. Our experienced project managers and applicators bring decades of roofing experience to each job. Placke Roofing & Construction knows when to repair or replace a roof, giving you options that ensure the best solution at the best price.
Elastomeric Roof coating
WHAT IS AN ELASTOMERIC ROOF COATING?
An elastomeric roof coating is an elastic coating applied to a variety of roof types to protect and seal the underlying roofing material, help stop and prevent leaks, and limit future weathering. It is the least expensive roof coating. They are designed to move with your roof and be more forgiving rather than remain rigid, a quality that makes them especially durable. Some coatings are also designed to cool the building. The term elastomeric comes from the coating’s elastic quality to stretch and move.
Elastomeric roof coatings can be used on many industrial and commercial roof types such as metal roofs, concrete roofs, bitumen, modified bitumen or BUR roofs, EPDM roofs, or as a sealant over new PUF roofs.
WHEN TO COAT YOUR ROOF
The best value from a roof coating comes when you apply it at the first sign of aging. By making needed repairs early, installing a full protective barrier at the same time, you create your “stitch in time that saves nine.” Wait too long and it is likely to cost you more. Too often, it costs you a new roof, at three or four times the expense of a roof coating, which could have been avoided by paying attention to early signals.
After reviewing all of the many elastomeric roof coatings on the market, how do you select the best quality and value roof coating for your needs?
UNDERSTAND THE ROOF RESTORATION PROCESS
Understanding the entire roof restoration process will help you to choose which elastomeric roof coating best suits your needs. Most every roof has conditions requiring more of a coating's particular physical properties than it does of the others. It pays to compare all the physical properties because it only takes a weakness of one to result in failure. Some roof conditions, such as rust or leaks at seams or flashings, may make it necessary to apply specialized products in addition to a coating. If you believe your roof may need more than just a coating, we suggest researching roof restoration options. You can find out about Placke Roofing & Construction roof restoration systems here.
Roof Coating FAQs
Why should I get my roof coated with a reflective coating?
Coating will extend the life of the roof, by reducing heat transfer into the building, decreasing thermal shock (thermal expansion and contraction of the roof membrane), and helping to mitigate leaks. Reflective coatings also can reduce heat energy costs and improve the aesthetics of the roof.
What kind of roofs can be coated?
Almost all types of roofs can be coated. Some examples include metal, spray polyurethane, single-ply, modified bitumen, Built-up roof (BUR) systems, etc. Without special treatments, ballasted and gravel surfaced membranes are not typically acceptable roof surfaces for coating membranes.
What types of reflective coatings are available in the market?
There are several types of reflective roof coatings that impart varied reflectance rates/ values. Typically, the reflective coatings are what are commonly referred to as white coatings and there are also aluminum coatings typically used with asphalt. Highly reflective white roof coatings are typically comprised of acrylics, urethanes, silicones, SBS, SEBS, and other types.
How is the coating applied?
The coating can be applied using spray, roller or brush.
Do I need a primer?
A primer is no substitute for thorough cleaning. However, sometimes primers are required, depending on substrate and type of coating. Refer to your coating manufacturer for specific requirements.
How much coating should be put on the roof?
This depends on the coating manufacturer and the project specifications. When in doubt, consult the coating manufacturer you are working with.
How do I prepare the roof surface for coating?
The roof must be thoroughly cleaned, and allowed to dry thoroughly. This is a critical step to ensure a successful coating application. Be careful not to damage the lap seams. Care should be taken when pressure washing not to disturb the integrity of the underlying roof membrane particularly where there are adhered seams. Refer to the specific coating manufacturer you are using for their specific requirements for roof preparation.
Should I coat a new roof or nearly new roof?
Yes, a new roof should be coated if the building owner wants to add a highly reflective roof coating to reduce energy costs. The buyer should be aware of any warranties provided for a new roof that may violate that warranty during the period it is in force via the use of a roof coating. This will extend the roof’s service life. A reflective roof coating will reduce the heat load on the roofing assembly.
What are the energy savings?
This depends on the geographic location, insulation, and cost of electricity. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), and several roofing material manufacturers have computer programs that can estimate the savings. A growing number of energy consultants are available to provide environmental regulation compliance information.
What are the building code requirements for roof coatings?
This depends on the local, state, and federal code enforcement requirements that have jurisdiction in your area. The International Code Council (ICC) provides detailed information on the status of I-Code adoption throughout the United States.
Will a reflective coating extend the life of my roof?
Yes. The coating becomes the first layer of UV and waterproofing protection for the roof, and helps reduce expansion and contraction (thermal shock) of the roof.
Are there any warranties available?
Yes. Coating manufacturers offer different types of warranties depending on your needs and applications.
How long will the coating last?
Based on long-term histories, typically the roof life of a properly applied roof coating can be extended up to 10-15 years or more. Performance can vary depending on type and conditions, as well as the coating film thickness.
Can the roof be re-coated in the future?
Yes. As the coating wears away, additional coating can be applied. Most coatings systems are renewable and sustainable. Refer to the specific coating manufacturer you are using for their specific requirements on re-coating applications.
Do I need a contractor, or can I do it myself?
The coating SHOULD be applied by an experienced roof coatings applicator, like Placke Roofing & Construction. A roofing contractor is strongly recommended if there are such issues as existing leaks, wet insulation, damaged deck, or manufacturers’ warranties.
Can a coating stand up in ponding water conditions?
That depends on the coating. All roofs should be designed and built to have positive drainage and not allow ponding water. Some coatings are designed to withstand ponding conditions; however, not all coatings will withstand these conditions. Check with your manufacturer to see if your coating can withstand ponding water conditions.
In what weather conditions can the coating be applied?
For water borne coatings, the ambient air temperature should be 45*F (10*C) and rising, with no rain for the next 24-48 hours. Solvent borne coatings can be applied in colder weather. As always, check with the coating manufacturer.
How long does the coating take to dry/cure?
That depends on many factors: air temperature, wind, roof surface temperature, relative humidity (water borne coatings) coating color and the type of coating applied. For example, some coatings are moisture cured and thus humidity assists in its curing process.
Can I coat a rusted metal roof?
Rusted metal roofs can be coated after the rust conditions have been addressed. If the roof is “white rust” (zinc or aluminum) it can be coated after cleaning. If the roof is “red rust” the rust must be removed or treated with a corrosion inhibiting primer. All rusted fasteners should be treated or replaced.
What is ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a US Government sponsored program encouraging the use of energy efficient products. Roofing materials including coatings can qualify for ENERGY STAR if the coating meets specific solar reflectance minimum criteria.
What is the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC)?
The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) is an independent, non-profit organization that maintains a third-party rating system for radiative properties of roof surfacing materials.
Is there a tax advantage or rebate program available?
Some states, municipalities and utilities have programs. Check with your coatings manufacturer for further information. As a membership benefit, RCMA provides maintains a database of current information on rebates and tax credits for installing reflective roofs. RCMA’s customized search tool can be used to find the most up-to-date listings of reflective roofing financial incentives available.
Roof coatings are typically classified as maintenance, and in many cases can be written off as such in the same calendar year in which the coating application is completed; check with your CFO for specific details on roof maintenance tax deductions.
How do I maintain the coating?
It is recommended that the roof, including the coating, be inspected semi-annually and after a major storm or high wind “event”. Additional coating may need to be applied to repair damage to the coating and underlying roofing substrate. Check with the manufacturer and/or warranty program requirements.
What are Solar Reflectance and Thermal Emittance?
Solar Reflectance is a measure of the ability of a material (roof coating) to reflect the sun’s radiation. Thermal Emittance is a measure of the material (roof coating) to release trapped heat back into the atmosphere.
Will the coating stop my leaks?
While coatings may potentially stop minor leaks, the roof should be properly repaired and dried prior to coating application. Coatings may be able to seal pinhole leaks, which are leaks not visible to the naked eye. If the roof is leaking, the roof leak will need to be identified and repaired prior to any re-coating; do not expect the coating to find and seal the leaks.