It protects against weather elements, keeps your personal belongings safe and dry, and significantly impacts temperature control and HVAC costs. If this essential structure is not performing its job properly, you risk serious, expensive damage to your property.
But instead of replacing a roof that is not yet past its prime, many property owners are turning to the best roof coatings to improve the lifespan, protectiveness, and performance of their roofs. These coatings are fluid membranes applied to the roof with a brush or specialized sprayer.
Many roof coatings exist across the modern market and provide varying benefits. How do you determine the best roof coating for your home or business? This guide shares everything you need to know about roof coatings, the most popular types available on the market today, and how you can narrow your options to pinpoint the best one.
If you want to enhance your roofing system without paying for a full replacement, consider a roof coating. This is a specialized liquid material that professionals can apply to the surface of your roof to increase its protectiveness and extend its lifespan.
These protective layers adhere to the roof and typically consist of a mixture of resins, pigments, and other additives. Each type offers different benefits for your roofing system.
Roof coatings are suitable for a wide range of roof types and materials, such as:
Coatings generally are best for flat roof systems, and certain coatings work better for specific roofing materials. Talk to a roofing professional about whether your roof material and design are compatible with a sealant or coating.
If your roof material is one of the above, you may consider adding a roof sealant if any of the following are true:
Applying the best roof coating might be a cost-effective way to solve problems with your current roof system and prevent more expensive repairs or replacement costs.
The exact benefits you gain from a roof coating will depend on the type of coating and your existing roof material. However, these sealants generally provide the following main benefits.
Altogether, roof coatings pose a smart and effective solution to enhance your roof and save money in the process.
Several different types of roof coatings are popular on the market today. Determining the best one for your home or business is important to maximizing your benefits from this investment.
These are the three main types of coatings to keep on your radar:
Silicone roof coatings offer exceptional UV protection and resistance against pooling water. They are popular in sunny climates like New Mexico because of their reflectivity and durability against extreme heat. They also erode much more slowly than other coatings.
Silicone coatings are available in a range of colors to match your property design, including white, tan, and gray. They are also compatible with several roof types, such as metal, EPDM, built-up roofs, modified bitumen, and spray polyurethane foam roofs.
These coatings can effectively extend the lifespan of your roof while providing superior water protection and dirt and chemical resistance. However, this material attracts dirt relatively easily, meaning it requires regular cleaning to avoid losing the reflective quality. It also becomes slippery when wet, but roofers can add granules to the coating to improve slip resistance.
Hybrid roof coatings contain a specialized blend of polymers, combining many of the best elements of silicone and elastomeric roofs. They are durable and weather-resistant with excellent elasticity, helping the roof withstand varying temperatures. They also offer superior impact resistance, allowing them to withstand hail, storm debris, and other potentially damaging hazards.
Many roofers consider hybrid coatings to be an improvement on other materials. One major reason is their relatively easy installation process. This material can be applied to damp roofs, expanding the working window significantly.
The largest downside to hybrid roof coatings is their cost. They offer exceptional performance and are the best roof coating material on many fronts, but these benefits are reflected in the price. Still, they pose a worthwhile investment for both homeowners and business owners looking to maximize their roof’s durability and lifespan.
Elastomeric coatings are some of the more common coating materials. Their highly flexible material expands and contracts as the weather changes without cracking or breaking. It cures into a rubber-like membrane and is typically 100% acrylic.
Elastomeric is a suitable choice for climates like New Mexico, where the temperature shifts significantly from day to night. These coatings are hyper-durable, waterproof, and cost effective, and they can extend a roof’s lifespan by several years.
Which is the best roof coating for your property? Any of the three most popular coating materials might be a good choice. However, considering the following factors and consulting a roofing professional can help you make the best decision.
Not every roof coating is compatible with all roof materials. Talk to your local professional about which options are available for your type of roof.
For example, silicone coatings are compatible with a range of materials. Elastomeric coatings typically do best with metal roofs, modified bitumen, and single-ply membranes.
If you have a traditional asphalt shingle roof or another common residential material, these coatings may not be compatible with your roof type. Your roofing professional can recommend other solutions.
Your climate impacts the benefits you might look for in a roof coating material. If you live in a particularly sunny climate, opting for a material like silicone might make sense, as it reflects sunlight and helps keep the building cool. But if you live in a more moderate climate, you may prefer a roofing system that helps warm up the property during the cooler months.
Also, consider the frequency of harsh precipitation in your area. If you frequently experience hail, strong winds, and severe storms, look for a roof coating that offers exceptional impact and weather resistance.
Regular maintenance is a necessity for virtually all types of roof coatings. However, some require more frequent maintenance than others.
For example, silicone coatings attract dirt. Allowing debris to build up on these roofs will reduce the reflectivity of the coating material, eventually causing the roof to absorb sunlight and heat the property more quickly. This material needs regular cleanings to ensure the coating performs as intended.
Different coating materials and products also last different amounts of time. You may need to reapply the coating every five to 10 years. If you would like to maximize the time between reapplications, a hybrid coating might be a good choice, as it can last up to 20 years with a thick application.
Roofing materials have varying properties that affect their performance. Think about which properties make the most sense for your home or business, such as:
Also, consider whether you would prefer a specific color to match the rest of the building. Some materials are only available in certain hues.
The best roof coatings range in price significantly. Silicone typically costs between $2.50 to $5 per square foot, while a higher-end hybrid coating might cost up to $7 per square foot. You’ll also need to consider how many coats you want the roofers to apply. In some cases, applying multiple coats or laying the coating on thicker could increase its durability and lifespan.
Roof coatings typically cost less than a full roof replacement, but it makes sense to compare both and ensure that your roof coating application is a wise investment.
Roof coatings can last anywhere from five to 25 years, depending on a wide range of factors. Think about how long you want the coating to last.
If your roof is already nearing the end of its life, a coating will likely extend its life by several years, but you probably won’t get an additional 25 years out of your existing roofing system. In contrast, if you are applying a roof coating to a new roof, it might make sense to choose a material that provides adequate protection throughout the roof’s lifespan.
Selecting the best roof coating might feel overwhelming. This is a significant investment, and you want to ensure that the material you choose provides optimal benefits for your property.
This is why it is important to consult a professional before making the final decision. Roof coating companies thoroughly understand the benefits and potential downsides of each type of coating. They can help you properly evaluate your options and understand how a coating will impact your property.
A roof coating professional will start by coming to your home or business and assessing the existing roof. They will look for cracks or signs of damage and get a closer look at the roofing material and style. This will help them determine what types of coatings are compatible with your roof type.
Then, they will ask you about your needs, preferences, and budget for the coating, along with any specific features you are looking for, such as UV resistance, waterproofing, or long-term durability. With this information, they can provide a custom recommendation that perfectly matches your needs.
Roof coating services are an excellent choice for homeowners and business owners looking to preserve their roofs and enjoy a range of other reflective roof coating benefits. But aside from taking the time to choose the best roof coating, you need to choose a reputable, experienced company to apply it for you.
Engel Coatings Inc. installs high-performance, custom flat roof coating solutions in New Mexico. We’re a family-run business that provides each customer the same care and attention we would our own family.
Contact us for a FREE quote today by calling 575-642-5481.
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