Extreme weather is bound to cause some damage to your roof, therefore it can be challenging when you are keeping your roof from leakages. There are several ways to build a roof to keep water from entering your home and cause damages and expensive repairs. Adding a roof coating is one way to go about to make sure water does not enter from your roof.

Roof coating is a smooth liquid that has an elastic property. Your roof can benefit from a roof coating because it directly protects the top layer of your roof membrane and is durable enough to withstand harsh sunlight, hail or other physical damage.

Most types of roofs can benefit from a roof coating, but there are exceptions. The type of coating and condition of the roof might play a role whether your roof will benefit from a coating or not. Cool coatings can cause water to collect underneath the shingles if applied over existing shingles. If your roof has existing leakage problems or is close to its life-cycle then it might be a better option to invest towards a new roof instead of putting money in a “cover up” coating. Proper preparation, repairs, and drying are needed before a coating gets installed, such as removing rust and sealing leaks.

If your roof is still in good functional shape, roof coatings are not that difficult to go about after giving your roof a good power wash. Calling in a professional will not just save you time, but you will benefit from receiving a warranty.

What are the benefits of roof coating

• If you are unhappy with your existing roof, causing you maintenance problems every year, instead of replacing it, a roof coating can diminish the problems and save you the costly expense of a new roof.
• Adding a roof coating can cut your electricity bill as certain coatings decrease the surface temperature of the roof. Your home’s temperature can go down by from 7 to 10 degrees. At the same time, you are protecting your roof from UV and infrared sunlight as they reflect from your home.
• The life cycle of your roof can be prolonged due to a roof coating, as your roof becomes water proofed, protected from other damages and keeps the roof from fading. Well applied roof coatings can extend the life of roofs for up to 10 years or more, depending on the performance quality of the roof coating.

Metal roofs, asphalt roofs, galvanized metal, wood are just a few examples of roof types that are compatible with roof coatings. The roof coating you choose of course depends on the type of roof you have.

Types of roof coatings

There is no one perfect coating for all roofs. Coatings depend on the type and the state of a roof. Here are some of the main types of coatings along with their advantages and disadvantages:

• Silicone coating is a solvent-based coating, great in preventing water from ponding, which is its main advantage. They don’t erode and they adhere to surfaces very easily which means that primer is usually not necessary. On the other hand, they can retain dirt and therefore lose some of their reflective properties.
• Acrylic coating is a water-based coating, very durable, affordable, suitable for most climates and easy to manage. The advantage it has over other types of coating is that it doesn’t need to be applied in a thick layer. They are also reflective and UV resistant. Their disadvantage is that they are not very efficient in preventing water-ponding.
• Asphalt coating can be both water- and solvent-based. Both of them are more suitable for warmer climates since they repel heat, while the water-based one is easier to install. The disadvantage of the solvent-based asphalt coating is that it can have asbestos, so caution is advised when choosing materials.

This article was written by Matthew, who is a home improvement and green technology writer and editor for South Shore Roofing Georgia.