Key Takeaways:
- Elastomeric roof coatings are typically applied to flat or low-slope roofs made of acrylic polymer in combination with rubber or other synthetic materials.
- These coatings can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions while providing superior protection against water intrusion.
- There are three main types of elastomeric roof coatings: butyl, polyurethane, and acrylic.
- Silicone is also used as a coating composition for polyurethane foam roofing.
- Some benefits of elastomeric roof coatings include protection against the elements (winds, storms), easy application, water resistance, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness.
When it comes to maintaining and protecting your roof, you want a strong, reliable, and long-lasting coating. With their ability to protect from the weather and extend the lifespan of your roof, elastomeric roof coatings are becoming increasingly popular for commercial property owners. In this blog post, JB Commercial Roofing LLC will look at what elastomeric roof coatings are and why they should be considered as an option for your next project.
What is Elastomeric Roof Coating?
Elastomeric roof coatings are made of acrylic polymer in combination with rubber or other synthetic materials. They are typically applied to flat or low-slope roofs. These coatings are designed to create waterproof layers over the substrate surface or “base” material. This allows them to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions while providing superior protection against water intrusion.
Types Of Elastomeric Coatings
Butyl
This compound is ideal for low-sloping and flat roofs. It is a good vapor barrier that can sustain high water pressure. Butyl coating performs admirably on asphalt, modified bitumen, and single-ply roofing. One significant advantage of butyl elastomeric coating for flat roofs is its ability to withstand the pressure of stagnant rainwater. As a result, it is an ideal choice for commercial properties in areas with high rainfall during the season.
Polyurethane
This is an excellent solution for waterproofing and sealing leaks on EPDM rubber roofs. It is suitable for single-ply roofing since it is adaptable and does not require specific pH rinses. Adding a polyurethane elastomeric coating to your roof can improve its overall protection. Polyurethane is excellent and well-suited for modified bitumen, TPO, or PVC roofs.
Acrylic
This roofing membrane is one of the most robust and extensively used roof coating materials. It is more environmentally friendly than certain coatings. Acrylic is ideal for high, sloped, and multi-pitched roofs. It’s beneficial on roofs with a positive slope. It lasts longer than other coatings and is very simple to clean. The material is ecologically safe and ideal for all applications.
Silicone
This is the ideal coating component for polyurethane foam roofing. It may restore some forms of weathering and is simple to reapply over prior silicone treatments. The elastomeric covering is highly weather resistant. It is an excellent choice if the foam was recently sprayed or if your commercial roof requires a new layer of protection.
Benefits of Elastomeric Roof Coating
Benefit 01: Protection Against the Elements
Winds, storms, and severe thunderstorms are common in some areas. These gusts and storms may rip the seams out of timber roofs. This allows rainfall to infiltrate the substrate and become trapped in the roof. Elastomeric coatings form a solid protective layer on your roof that is resistant to temperature fluctuations and periods of heavy rain or snowfall. This helps prevent water seepage, cracks, and other signs of wear that can occur over time due to exposure to harsh weather conditions. However, just like everything else, these coatings have a shelf life and must be replaced every 10 to 12 years.
Benefit 02: Coating with Multiple Purposes
Elastomeric roofs are highly flexible and can be installed on virtually any surface without problems. This includes metal roofing, single-layer applications, cumulative applications, modified bitumen, and other materials. It is also suitable for newly sprayed polyurethane foam.
This flexibility makes them perfect for properties with irregular shapes or surfaces that might be difficult to work with other materials.
Benefit 03: Water Resistance
Elastomeric coatings are designed with water resistance in mind; they form an impenetrable barrier between your property and moisture-related issues like mold growth or water leaks.
Benefit 04: Easy to Apply
Another great feature of elastomeric coating is that it’s easy to apply! All you need is a roller or sprayer to apply the material directly onto any existing asphalt shingle or metal surface, making it an incredibly cost-effective solution for extending the life of your commercial property’s roof.
Benefit 05: Low Maintenance
Once applied, elastomeric roof coatings require very little maintenance compared to other roofs due to their resistance against extreme temperatures and weather conditions like hail or heavy rain. They don’t need frequent repairs or replacements like other roofs do!
Benefit 06: Energy Efficiency
Elastomeric coatings reflect heat away from your building, helping keep interior temperatures comfortable even during summer when temperatures outside reach extreme levels. This can save you money on air conditioning costs during the hot summer months!
Benefit 07: No Downtime
Elastomeric coatings are applied without disruption to your building’s operations. This means there is no downtime, which keeps your business running smoothly and efficiently!
Benefit 08: You Can Choose From A Wide Variety of Colors
Businesses have a color scheme for their office that communicates their brand and image to consumers and partners. Using the same color for the roof coating is advisable to retain the brand image. When using commercial elastomeric ceilings, you can pick any color that complements the colors of your business.
Benefit 09: Environment-Friendly Option for Your Business
Elastomeric coatings are environmentally safe and are referred to as green roofs since they preserve landfills. Furthermore, elastomeric coatings are reflective instead of absorptive, which means less heat is absorbed into the building materials—this helps reduce carbon emissions from air conditioning units since they don’t have to work as hard!
Ending Note:
Whether you own a business building or want to extend the life span of your current residential home’s rooftop, investing in elastomeric roof coating may be worth considering for added protection from wear and tear and potential money savings down the road!
JB Commercial Roofing LLC is the solution to all your roofing issues in Massillon.
We are a Conklin Preferred Contractor specializing in acrylic roof coating solutions that are long-lasting and waterproof, insulating your structure and lowering energy bills. A 20-year non-prorated guarantee backs all our roofing solutions, so get a free quote!
