Learn the basics of a roof coating used on flat roofs
What Is a Roof Coating?
A roof coating is a viscous fluid that’s applied to a flat roof surface. A roof coating is elastic, and stretches & contracts as needed without cracking or splitting.
Why Is A Roof Coating Used?
There are 6 main reasons why a roof coating is applied to a flat or low-slope roof:
- To extend the life of the roof
- To save on energy costs
- To save money on roofing costs
- To help mitigate the “urban heat island” effect
- To reduce roofing materials going into landfills each year
- To fill in cracks and seams, and provide another level of waterproofing
What Is A “Cool Roof” Coating?
A “cool roof” is created when a flat roof or low-slope roof is coated with a reflective liquid, usually white, in order to reflect sunlight away from the building in hot climates, to save energy and cooling costs.
What Comprises a Roof Coating?
A liquid roof coating is thicker than paint, because it has a higher “solids” content than paint. The elasticity of a roof coating is caused by resins contained in the roof coating. This is what allows the roof coating to expand & contract over time, under different weather conditions, without cracking.
How Does a Roof Coating Reduce Energy Use In Summer or Hot Climates?
A roof coating reflects both visible light, infrared light, and UV radiation. This helps reduce the temperature on the roof during daylight, which then reduces the interior temperature of the building and air conditioning costs.
How Does A Roof Coating Reduce Construction Waste?
2.5 BILLION square feet of roofs are replaced or re-coated each year, with roofing debris the third largest amount of construction waste that gets dumped in landfills annually. (Source: Reflective Roof Coatings Institute) A roof coating can extend the life of a roof by 5 to 7 years, which reduces the amount of construction waste from roofing.
Did You Know:
Advances in roof coatings and the life they add to a roof have shifted roof coatings from being a short-term, quick fix to a viable, long-term option for preserving a flat or low-slope roof.