There are many ways to maintain a commercial roof. Coating flat roofs has become a great choice for many building owners due to the long-term nature of the repair, and budget savings as compared to replacing the roof. There are several types of roof coatings that can help seal a building. Different coatings may be used for different types of roofs, as we explain below.
When Should I Choose a Commercial Roof Coating?
A commercial roof coating may be your best option for long-term roof maintenance if the following is true:
- The existing roof is at or near the end of its life
- Roof leaks have developed
- The roof substrate is not more than 25% saturated with water
- The existing maintenance budget does not allow for a full roof replacement
What Types of Roof Coatings Are Available?
There are several types of roof coatings that may work well depending on the roof and building type:
Silicone Roof Coating
Silicone is one of our favorite coatings to install for many reasons. When properly installed, a silicone coating can extend the life of your roof for multiple decades. Silicone coated roofs are waterproof and can withstand unlimited ponding water. Ponding water is a major problem for almost all other roofing materials. Silicone is also resistant to UV rays which are another threat to most roofing materials.
Urethane Roof Coating
A urethane coating is another top choice for waterproofing commercial roofs. Urethane cures and hardens to a durable seamless membrane that provides a level of impact resistance. It is a flexible material that will conform to your roof’s structure no matter how complex. Urethane is a great choice for high-traffic roof areas.
Acrylic Roof Coating
Acrylic coatings have become popular because of the value they provide on roofs that have built-in slope. The acrylic (or “elastomeric”) coating material is strong yet flexible, simple to install, and a great choice for the Colorado climate. Acrylic coatings have become popular for their ability to stop and prevent rust on industrial metal roofs.
Castagra Ecodur Roof Coating
The Ecodur roof coating made by Castagra is in a category of its own. We call it an eco-plastic, as it is made from abundant natural resources (gypsum and castor oil) and hardens to a durable plastic-like seamless membrane. Ecodur is famous for its extreme adhesion to any roofing substrate, even gravel built-up roofs.
Polyurethane Roof Coating
Polyurethane coatings differ from urethan coatings by being a more rigid and firm finished product. Due to the rigidity of the cured polyurethane roof coating, it is a great choice for those looking for impact-resistance. The firm polyurethane also makes it a good coating product for areas that experience high foot traffic.
Polyureas Roof Coating
Polyureas coatings are a solid option for metal roofs, spray-foam (SPF) roofs, and built-up roofs. It provides corrosion protection, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and structural enhancement.
Rubberized Aluminum Roof Coating
Rubber aluminum roof coatings, sometimes called “silver coat”, are popular for their reflectivity benefit on flat roofs. The flexibility added by the rubber material means these coatings are able to withstand debris impact. Rubberized aluminum coatings are most popular on modified bitumen, built-up cap sheet, and torch-down cap sheet roofing systems.
Asphalt Roof Coating
Asphalt is one of the best waterproofing materials available. When blended with solvents to make the asphalt thinner and able to be applied to an existing roof, it can be a great option for a waterproofing coating.
Roofing Granules
We recommend including granules with roof coatings when there will be heavy foot traffic on the roof. Granules provide a walkable surface that helps add safety to the roof, as many coating materials can become slippery after rain and snow. Granules embedded in a roof coating also add impact resistance, which is important considering the amount of hail we receive in the Front Range. When coating a spray foam (SPF) roof, granules are required.
Which Type of Roof Coating Do I Need?
The right type of roof coating for any given building depends on several factors. The type of roofing substrate, slope (or lack of slope) on the roof, amount of foot traffic, and building use are all important factors when choosing the right coating for your building. Make sure to consult with a certified roof coating professional to validate that the coating material you select will be a viable long-term commercial roof repair solution for you.
