Selecting the Best Roof Coating for Your Needs

If you’re a home or business owner looking to prolong your roof’s lifespan and durability, then there’s no better time than now to dive into the wonderful world of roof coatings!

That’s right; you can get even more benefits from your roof even after its installation. Although roof coatings are mostly reserved for commercial properties, they can also be applied to residential homes as well–just be prepared to pay a little extra to accommodate particularly steep or difficult roof structures. Read on to fully grasp the advantages of membrane coating!

What Is a Roof Coating and How Does It Help?

Put simply, a roof coating is a protective layer that’s fully applied on top of an already-existing roof. Most coatings are in liquid form and completely elastic, allowing them to stretch and return to their original shape. Their purpose is to better the condition of an aging roof, create watertight seals to prevent leaking, and to reflect heat off of a roof. We find this makes them pretty useful in lowering energy costs during the summer months!

Which Roofs Can You Coat?

As a rule of thumb, a roof coating should never be placed on asphalt shingle roofs. This is because the ingredients in most roof coatings negate the effects of what’s found in asphalt shingles, essentially making them redundant. If you’re unsure whether or not you can coat your shingled roof, consult with the manufacturer of your shingles before making a decision.

With that being said, here are some roofs that greatly benefit from a nice, thick layer of roof coating!

TPO

TPO roofs–also known as thermoplastic polyolefin–can greatly benefit from a rubber roof coating, such as silicone. This single-ply membrane is most notable for its bright white coloring, and can usually be found on commercial buildings.

EPDM

Much like TPO roofing, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) is another contender for extra rubber roof coating. This material is cost-effective, easy to install, and can withstand the elements for over 50+ years with proper maintenance.

Metal

Whether they’re aluminum, copper, or steel, metal roofs are the ideal choice for plenty of homes and businesses alike. For a metal roof coating, these roofs would work well with a SEBS or silicone coating (SEBS is a reflective, solvent-based coating that helps repair and restore metal roofs). This extra layer of protection acts as a buffer against the sun’s rays, and keeps your metal roof as waterproof as possible.

Built-Up Roofing

You’ll find most built-up roofing (BUR) systems on commercial buildings. Unlike TPO roofing, which are single-ply, BUR systems are made up of multiple layers. These layers are made up of roofing insulation, fasteners, plates, and adhesives, and are topped off with a material such as roofing asphalt. Their efficiency can be made even more superior with a coating of rubber silicone or acrylic.

Modified Bitumen

A cousin to the BUR system, modified bitumen is comprised of asphalt combined with rubber or plastic, then refined with fiberglass. This makes it uniquely flexible yet sturdy. The best roof coating for modified bitumen is agreed to be acrylic, as they’re incredibly durable and have a high level of UV resistance.

Look For Premium Roofing Craftsmanship in Revived Exteriors

Roofing in Arlington Heights, IL, doesn’t need to be migraine-inducing. Since we started our business over ten years ago, Revived Exteriors has completed thousands of projects with superior workmanship and top-rated customer service. We’ll help you find the right coating for your roof–so call our team for your first free consultation today.