The Power of Professional Roof Coating
Relatively speaking, a roof coating is a new invention. They’ve been around for a couple of decades. Since the first coatings used in the industry, significant advancements have happened. However, in their short time in use, they have proven to be a worthy investment for homeowners, commercial property owners, and others who have installed a high-quality roof coat on their property. Roof coatings did not happen overnight. It took some experimentation with the right materials. However, today’s coatings show advancement, reliability, and high-quality. Whether you are talking about acrylic or silicone coatings, today’s materials are high-grade and designed specifically to withstand the harsh conditions and fluctuations of any roofing material. Find out more about the most popular way to increase a roof’s longevity.
How Roof Coating Began In the Construction Industry
The history of roof coatings begins in the 1960s. It was first used in roofing applications around this time as the construction industry worked with some new materials. Roof coatings were one of those accidental discoveries. New construction homes at this time experimented with spray foam insulation. The industry began to notice that the UV rays from the sun would badly damage the insulation. Large holes would develop on the surface, and the foam would turn an unsavory orange color.
As the industry noted the deterioration of the foam with the sun’s rays, they began to experiment with various types of coatings that might protect the foam from this deterioration. One of these coatings became composed of a silicone material that proved effective. Contactors and building experts would then continue experimenting and trying these coatings on rooftops. It didn’t take long for the industry to find just the right materials that would work on top of roofs to dispel the destructive effects of strong UV rays. The growth of roof coatings as a popular preventative measure to elongate a roof’s life grew mostly within the construction industry first and then through word of mouth of consumers that would have such coatings installed.
Materials Used in Professional Roof Coating
In the mid-50s advancements in acrylics really took hold. Most people will know one popular acrylic, plexiglass. Plexiglas is composed of all monomers, which makes it an all-acrylic material. Acrylics can then become mixed with other materials to create additional materials like paint or adhesive caulk. During the mid-twentieth century, the advent of acrylic paint became very important for the housing industry and spread to other uses.
The roofing industry developed acrylic polymers engineered specifically for roof applications. Silicone roof coatings are also common and used for certain types of rooftops. Roof coatings that are made with water-resistant silicone material have proven very useful in resisting harsh weather as well.
What roof coating is more beneficial for you can depend upon your existing roof. Today’s coatings have now become composed of fully adhered, elastomeric membranes. The coating first applied as a liquid, and it then hardens after installation.
The Key to a Successful Roof Coating Application
Roof coating resembles acrylic paint in a can because of its texture, viscosity, and makeup. As roof coatings were still being developed, many contractors tried using paint as a coating. Although they would become too brittle and crack easily. The specially engineered coatings need to be applied carefully to ensure that all areas of the roof are covered and that areas prone to damage get special treatment with the coating.
At first glance, the application is simple, but there are a few things to look out for when installing a roof coating on a roof. There might be occasions when certain roofs would require a primer. Sometimes, you’ll have to use fabric on the seams. The kind of roof coating should be considered depending on the kind of roof you have and what you’re looking for in a coating. There are pros and cons to both types of roof coatings. For example, silicone coatings seem to show a higher tolerance for ponded water areas, and acrylic coatings might be a little more effective on tear resistance. Roofs with bigger inclines can be great candidates for acrylic coatings.
Looking to Extend the Life of Your Roof?
Your roof plays a vital role in your property value. A bad roof can cause all kinds of other problems, and extending the life of your roof can be an important way to maintain the integrity of your residential or commercial property. Give the professionals at El Paso Roofing a call and find out more about your roof coatings.