Coatings
There are a few main reasons why you choose a roofing material in the first place. For starters, you often like the appearance of the material and how it enhances your property’s curb appeal. Another big factor in the selection of a roofing material is the energy efficiency. Something that kind of goes hand in hand with energy efficiency is budget – you can afford to spend a bit more on the roof installation if the material is going to help lower your utility bills. Similarly, allotting more budget to a roof replacement becomes more feasible if it has a durability of 50+ years compared to 15.
What you’ll find is that not all roofing types can check your specific boxes on ideal looks, energy efficiency, budget, and durability. For this reason roof coatings has become one of our specialties here in Southern California. Whether you’re talking about a new roof that you want to adorn with some protective properties or an older dwelling that you want to invigorate some new life into our various roof coatings have a solution for your needs.
Rooftoppers is your Los Angeles area roof coating experts. We have been in the same location since 1983, offering our customers the most advanced roofing solutions of anyone in the industry. We are licensed and insured in California and are ready to give your home or business the boost in looks and energy efficiency that it may be so sorely lacking.
Learn more about Coatings
What is a Roof Coating?
A roof coating is a liquid covering applied to a roof to give it the properties of a membrane. Roof coatings are very versatile because they can be either the top layer of protection applied on top of a roofing material – or the last line of defense when placed directly on to the substrate. Therefore the properties of roof coatings range from being resistant to wind, hail, rain, and UV rays (top) or being an insulator and leakproof layer of protection (surface). Roof coatings can be sprayed on to help fix leaks in existing materials or a reflective coating can be applied to help improve a businesses energy efficiency.
Types of Coatings
Although roof coatings are applied to fulfill a variety of different needs, their makeup generally falls under one of three umbrellas of “type”. For example an acrylic coating provides a great value for the cost. Acrylic coatings are easy to work with and supply increased UV protection because they are highly reflective.
Polyurethane coatings are much more durable than acrylic and handle traffic and ponding water the best of any type. Polyurethane coatings are much harder after they cure and are thus more impact resistant. There are two main polyurethane coatings, one which is used more as a base layer (aromatic) and another which is more UV stable and used on the surface (aliphatic).
Silicone is another type of coating that is popular for use in Southern California because the weathering is minimal and there is almost no erosion. Humidity actually helps a silicone coating cure better and the finished product is very resistant to pooling water.
How It Benefits
Roof coatings are an affordable alternative to a complete roof tear off and reinstall but they can also enhance an existing roof. Some benefits include:
- Cost effective
- Can be used to improve impact resistance on fragile roofs
- Designed to endure heat and humidity
- Reduce heat transfer to a building and thus improve energy efficiency
- Can improve aesthetics and appearance in some cases
- Create an extra layer of waterproofing
- Eco-friendly as they prevent old roofing materials from going to the landfill
