As a professional, you know the value of your commercial roofing system. One of the ways to extend the lifespan of your roof while improving both aesthetics and energy efficiency, is with the addition of a roof coating.
Coatings come in different chemical compositions depending on the needs of your business, as well as your personal preferences. In some situations, using different types of coatings together is the most beneficial.
Understanding the differences and advising you appropriately is one of the key advantages working with Cosam Contracting will make in your coating project.
Coating Options
There are several different types of coatings out there, each having its own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the primary coatings we use are: Acrylic, Silicone, Polyurethane, and SEBS/SBS.
Acrylic: Acrylic coatings are water based that are very UV stable with high tensile strength. They are excellent for UV reflectivity but due to being water based they do not hold up to ponding water very well. Therefor acrylic coatings are commonly used on sloped roofs such as metal roofs. These coatings are typically the least expensive compared to others.
Silicone: Silicone coatings are moisture-cure chemistries that are solvent based. Like acrylics, these are very UV resistant. Silicones however have very good adhesion capabilities and hold up to water extremely well, making them good for wet environments and low slope roofs that may have ponding water.
Polyurethane: Polyurethane coatings are solvent-based and come in two main types: Aromatic (less UV stable, less elongation, high tensile strength) which is typically used as a base coat, and Aliphatic (very UV stable, high elongation) which is typically used as a topcoat. These coatings are good for heavy foot traffic or hail prone areas.
SEBS & SBS: SEBS (Styrene-Ethylene-Butadiene-Styrene) and SBS (Styrene-butadiene-styrene) coatings are made from rubber polymers and solvents. Due to the high solvent formulas, these coatings tend to have an odor and do not meet VOC requirements in all areas. On the other hand, they offer UV protection, high tensile strength, high elongation, and hold up well to ponding water.
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Benefits of Coatings
Coatings offer multiple benefits, both to your building and to your bottom line.
Increased longevity. When a coating is put in place, it protects the underlying structure. This allows the structure to perform longer and extends the amount of time between roof replacement. This directly improves your ROI.
Waterproofing. Coatings are applied as a liquid. They are sprayed or rolled onto the existing roofing system. As the coating dries, the liquid turns into a seamless, monolithic layer. This seamless nature is the power behind roof coatings.
Energy efficiency. Almost all coatings have a reflective component built into them. In some instances, your coating will reflect up to 85% of solar heat away from your roof. This directly results in cost savings up to 30% or more, depending on location.
Reduced cost. As a coating is applied to the existing roofing system, there is less need for expensive tear offs and replacements. Additionally, coatings can be re-applied as necessary, as long as the underlying roofing system remains in adequate condition.
Environmental protection. The reduction of tear-off reduces debris in our landfills. The reduction in cooling costs reduces the emissions involved in the production of electricity. These emissions include carbon dioxide and other “greenhouse gases”.
Choosing the right coating for your roof contains numerous different factors. No matter which coating is being used, to have a proper coating job that will last, is having a clean and dry substrate. Prep work is the key step in the coating process to ensure this. Remember, not all roofs are viable for a coating depending on the existing condition of your current roof system. Cosam Contracting has the knowledge and expertise to help decide what kind of roof coating, if any, is right for you based on your needs and conditions of your roof. We will get the job done right for you.
If your project is in Northern or Central Ohio, call 419-492-2201. If you are in Southern Ohio or Kentucky, please call 740-776-7777. We look forward to meeting with you soon.