What is Silicone Roof Coating? | Foam Tech
Protect Your Roof With A Silicone Coating
A silicone roof coating, also known as Silicone Restoration Membrane, is a substance that is applied onto a roof directly using special silicone roof coating spray equipment. The substance will fill in any blisters, cracks, and seams. Building owners and maintenance managers will have a silicone roof coating applied on their building’s roof to extend its lifespan.
It is not intended this process to insulation or underlayment but is a good as an additional layer against the climate and elements.
Is A Roof Coating Good For Your Business' Roof?
There are two types of roof coatings: acrylic and silicone. Both are good in certain climates and environments. With both having good qualities and bad qualities, the brief descriptions can assist you in making a choice which is better for your structure. Acrylic roof coatings provide the best value with a good balance between performance and price. It is good in most climates because of is reflectiveness and UV resistance. For installers, it is an easy material to work with. The cons to acrylic roof coating are the thickness wears down which could allow moisture on the roof below.
Silicone roof coating is good on buildings where ponding water may exist, and it weathers better than other roof coatings. There is little to no erosion with a silicone roof coating, and it won’t get brittle or hard. The cons to silicone roof coating are that it will lose its reflective ability over time as it holds dirt and the rain washed that dirt away along with the reflectiveness. If re-coating it, it must be with like-silicone or totally remove and re-coat with a new product.
How Long Does A Silicone Roof Coating Last?
The most redeeming quality that silicone roof coating offers is the mileage you get from it. When a correct thickness of silicone roof coating and annual inspection and maintenance performed, it can last 15 years.
Does A Roof Coating Stop Leaks?
While roof coatings may possibly stop minor leaks, it should not be applied to identify the leaks. Experts suggest that leaks be identified, and any repairs needed to be made prior to applying a roof coating.
Is A Silicone Roof Coating Worth It?
With flat roofs, silicone has rapidly become the go-to product, and the many benefits if offers explain why:
- Little to No Erosion: Silicone roof coating provides a high level of durability that weathers well over its lifetime. This material will stand up to most of what Mother Nature dishes out, which eliminates any premature maintenance expense.
- Cures Naturally Outdoors: A silicone roof coating does not require any special considerations when it comes to curing because moisture helps it to cure. Installing in high humidity is preferred by most contractors because of this, and in some cases, the need for a primer is eliminated.
- Provides Puddling Protection for The Structure: Flat roofs are known to have water puddles, which can be problematic with erosion or leaking or seepage into the structure. Silicone roof coating has tremendous resilience and will hold water in place until it either drains or evaporates. This is a money saver and time saver because fewer manhours for maintained is required to remove standing or clean-up/repair water leaks or seepage.
- Minimal Expense for Preparation and Installation: The silicone roof coating restoration membrane will provide substantial savings when applied to an existing substrate that is dry and stable.
- Extends the Roof Lifespan: When silicone roof coating is applied to a roof in relatively good condition, it can extend the lifespan of that roof. It fills in areas that are vulnerable such as cracks, seams, and splits without requiring extensive labor.
- Energy Expenses Are Reduced: Silicone roof coating is often referred to as a “cool roof” because of its reflectiveness the white coloration provides. Energy bills have been reduced by more than 30% when silicone roof coating is applied because most of the sun’s rays are reflected, keeping the building at a comfortable temperature.
- Savings on The Installation: Because silicone roof coating can be installed quickly, the daily functions of the business aren’t interrupted.
The biggest benefit of all that each of these contributes to is the money and time saved. As the owner or a property manager, this reflects the most with bottom-line concerns.
Can You Paint Over Silicone Roof Coating?
Manufacturers design silicone caulk to the last longer and perfect for areas exposed to water. It is less prone to degrade over acrylic or latex caulks and will resist mildew. It doesn’t discolor and adheres well with flexibility while drying transparent. Transparency is the key to being aesthetically attractive. However, the water-resistance nature requires special preparations for painting it.
Silicone roof coating has many benefits, as we have covered, and is a popular choice in a flat roof coating. However, there are cautions to know of, such as when wet, it is very slippery, in part because it is water-resistant. Any contractors that require roof access to install or repair equipment, such as the HVAC system, should wear slip-resistant shoes.
When having a silicone roof coating applied, be sure the roof is dry because any moisture will compromise the adhesion to the roof. If the existing roof is a dry cap sheet roof, experts recommend it to apply a base coat of silicone with a second coat afterward. Although not required, sometimes using fabric or tape on loose seams for reinforcement is recommended by experts.
Want to get started on your silicone roof coating please contact us at one of our convenient Texas locations: Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, San Antonio, or Corpus Christi today!.
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