Essential for Longevity: Roof restoration is a vital process that involves repairing, cleaning, and reengineering your existing roofing membrane to extend its lifespan. It’s a proactive approach to avoid the higher costs and disruptions of a full replacement.
Benefits: Restoration offers numerous advantages including cost savings, minimal business disruption, and environmental friendliness by utilizing existing materials. It also enhances the roof’s durability and can improve energy efficiency.
Ideal for leak prevention and UV resistance, silicone coatings provide robust protection and extend the lifespan of your roof, particularly effective in the varying weather conditions of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
A versatile option offering superior insulation and waterproofing, SPF is an all-in-one solution for various commercial roofing challenges
Despite their durable surface, metal roofs do face certain vulnerabilities that demand attention. For instance, any vents or protruding objects coming out of the panels likely have specialized flashing to prevent leaks. This flashing wears down over time however, eventually allowing rain into the building below. On top of other benefits, a metal roof coating helps seal off these exposed areas.
As with other coating products, silicone requires a clean, moderately healthy surface to adhere to. Prior to installation, our team performs any outstanding repairs and surface cleaning to ensure good application. Silicone mends minor cracks and abrasions, but larger holes and worn seams must be fixed.
Once our team finishes preparation, we typically begin the application process according to manufacture specifications.
Finally, our roofers apply the coating by frequently checking the mileage gauge to go above the mfg. specs. The silicone requires up to 24 hours to dry completely after installation ends.
Flat roofs often struggle with ponding water problems, as rain becomes trapped on top with nowhere to drain. The standing fluid slowly wears down the rooftop material, eventually seeping into the Insulation and decking below. The rooftop corrosion is only accelerated by constant exposure to sunlight, whose ultraviolet light dries out the surface and causes cracks.
With a silicone coating application protecting the rooftop, your building receives powerful protection against both standing water and ultraviolet sunlight. What sets silicone apart from other coatings is long-term durability. It doesn’t chalk or fragment or lose mills of material like other materials as it ages. Silicone’s light color does fade slowly over time. At the end of its typical 20 year or more lifespan however, the coating need only be replaced for continued protection.
As with other coatings, polyurea provides a durable surface to protect against standing water, ultraviolet light, and other forms of weathering. That’s good news for flat roofs, which frequently suffer from extensive cracking and leaks. Polyurea, more than many kinds of restorative coatings, settles into abrasions and cracks to mend these vulnerabilities. The end result is a hardy, seamless surface that countless building owners crave.
What else makes polyurea roof coatings stand out from other solutions. Put simply, polyurea materials are exceptionally tough. They don’t wear out easily from foot traffic, an essential trait for businesses with lots of hardware on top of the roof. The flexible material also expands and contracts with the changing of the seasons, preventing tears.
All coating projects should start with a clean surface. Polyurea installations are no exception. Our roofers at Pro Trade Services start the application process by cleaning the project area and performing repairs for any significant scarring. After the surface has completely dried, we apply a special primer to ensure max adhesion.
Finally, our roofers apply the polyurea coating via spray or roller. The material needs up to 24 hours to cure completely. As the polyurea product hardens, it expands into small cracks and fissures in the surface below. Once your coating cures, you’ll be left with a resilient, seamless rooftop!
The facts say it all..
Did you know there are several types of an elastomeric coating ? Many people assume that all white commercial roof coatings are the same product, but this is not the case. There are several types of coatings that fall under the characterization of “elastomeric. Let’s examine the differences between the two most common types of elastomeric coatings: Silicone vs Acrylic.
Many people believe that if you “paint” your roof with these products they will be effective against the elements, but this is false. These products are “coatings,” which require application at specific conditions and millage rates to be effective.
The most common reason for coating failures is an application error. Much of the stigma against roof coatings stem from bad experiences related to poor application standards. The product might have looked good upon completion, but important details were missed or skipped during the application and planning process. Failure to follow the proper procedure will cause the coating to fail as a roof system when exposed to the elements.
Both products are effective when used for their intended purpose. Unfortunately, acrylic roof coatings are often applied on roofs that are incompatible with the product qualities. The best commercial roof coating comes down to the application of the product and the Roofing Company you choose to coat your roof.
Most commercial roofs are too flat, or they have too much ponding water for acrylic coatings to be effective. So, why are acrylic coatings not effective on a flat roof when silicone coatings are?
The chemistry of each product explains this answer. Each product has a solvent that will re-liquify the product after it has cured into a solid-state. Silicone coating’s solvent is virgin mineral spirits, while acrylic coating’s solvent is water!
So, if ponding water stays in contact with acrylic roof coatings for a prolonged period, it will eventually emulsify the roof coating back into a liquid state.
Acrylic roofs typically lose one to two mils of thickness each year by weathering, or the equivalent of a full coat every five to ten years, they must be pressure-washed and re-coated every five to ten years to prevent long-term loss of membrane.
Silicone coatings are the only UV stable coating on the roofing market. This stability means that the sun’s UV rays do not break down the material over time as it does with acrylic coatings. The best commercial roof coating is starting to lean towards silicone roof coatings.
For example, if you placed a ball of silicone roof coating in the desert next to a ball of acrylic roof coating the silicone coating would be the same size and shape 100 years later. The ball of acrylic would disintegrate into nothing over a short period of time! Why are we even talking about acrylic?
Let’s start by first looking at the general technical differences between silicone and acrylic roof coatings.
Silicone roof coatings have greater elasticity (200%-500%) than acrylic coatings (40%-70%). What does this mean for your commercial roof, you might ask? Silicone roof coatings can withstand much higher building movement than acrylic coatings. This is especially true on metal roofs, which move about 1/8” per 20’. Again, The best commercial roof coating is becoming more and more clear.
Acrylic roof coatings have better tear resistance. Once silicone coatings begin to tear, they will tear faster than acrylic coatings will. Although, it is harder for tears to occur in silicone because of their elasticity. An almost win for acrylic roof coatings, however, Silicone roof coatings are still in the lead for the best commercial roof coating.
Silicone roof coatings have much higher thermal emittance qualities. Only about 1% of the sun’s energy will penetrate through a silicone coating into the building. Yet another positive reason to choose Silicone roof coatings for your commercial roof.
This answer isn’t black and white because a multitude of factors plays a part when choosing the best product for you. In general, acrylic coatings are less costly but have a limited range of roofs that they will be effective when applied over.
Silicone coatings have a more extensive range of roofs that they can be used over and will last longer than acrylic coatings. Though, silicone coatings have a higher initial cost. The best commercial roof coating in most cases will be a silicone roof coating.
Investing in roof restoration is a wise decision for the longevity and efficiency of your commercial building. Pro Trade Services is here to guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth and effective restoration process. Contact us today to schedule a roof inspection and explore your restoration options.