When Are Commercial Roof Coatings Needed?

Commercial roof coatings offer an affordable way to protect your roof from the searing Las Vegas heat and harsh UV light, which can quickly cause it to degrade. Roof coatings are especially attractive for buildings constructed with costly materials that need to be protected, such as metal, as the coating can absorb all that the punishment the elements deal out. However, roof coatings aren’t suitable for every building, making it important to know when it’s best to apply them. Knowing the difference can help you determine whether one is right for your building or if you would be better off with another solution.

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Commercial roof coating systems consist of a paint-like coating made of acrylic, silicon, polyurethane, aluminum, or a wide range of other materials. They can be applied to a roof like a coat of paint via sprayer or roller. Roof coatings reflect UV light off of a roof and are excellent at reducing the amount of heat a building absorbs. They also provide a layer of protection against water and are easy to repair, making them popular alternatives to a whole roof replacement for business owners looking to save time and money.

Commercial roof coatings are tough and can withstand years of even the most extreme weather conditions, but they don’t last forever. If you notice any of the following signs with your building’s roof coating, it’s time to repair or replace it.

One of the most common signs that your building needs a roof coating replacement or repair is if you detect leaks within your building. Under normal circumstances, your roof coating will repel any water that lands on your roof and is an excellent bulwark against leaks. However, if your coating has developed cracks, it will allow water to enter through your roof and will need to be repaired. Depending on the severity of the leak, your entire coating may need to be replaced.

Sunlight fades anything that’s been in it for too long, and the same applies for your roof coating. The coating can reflect much of the light that hits away from your building and protect the materials that comprise your roof. Fading on your roof coating can indicate that the materials that comprise it are weakened by the constant exposure to UV light and may not be able to protect your roof during a major weather event. You’ll need to get a recoating to repair the sun damage and restore your roof’s protection.

While roof coatings are highly useful across a wide variety of situations, standing water can quickly destroy them. Ponding water on a roof will quickly erode acrylic roof coatings, causing a failure that can damage your roof. Silicon coatings are best suited to roofs with ponding problems, because they excel at repelling water after they’ve been applied. The cause of the ponding water will still need to be addressed, since its weight will cause damage to your roof over time.

Roof coatings can last for a long time and may delay your need to replace your roof, but they have a lifespan. A roof coating that has reached the end of its natural life will start to peel off in strips. Replacing it can help to restore the protection your roof received from the previous one. However, you’ll want to find out if there’s an underlying problem causing the peeling, such as a leak or a problem with the substrate, before assuming the coating is simply old.

Your roof’s paint forms a protective layer that wards off the harmful effects of rain, sunlight, dust, debris, and even pests. When the paint starts to fleck and flake, it can no longer offer your roof protection from nature and neither will your roof coating if you have one. Remove the old paint and apply a new layer before adding a new roof coating.

A roof coating offers many lasting benefits and half the price of a full roof replacement, making it an attractive alternative for business owners who are looking to save money. Choosing the right commercial roofing company to apply your roof coating is critical to ensuring that it adequately protects your roof, as even a slight mistake can negatively impact your coating’s longevity. At the Original Roofing Company, we offer commercial roof coatings to businesses across the Las Vegas Valley and offer over fifty years of experience to our customers. Contact us today and we can schedule a time to discuss whether a roof coating is right for your building!