Roof coating

Reflective roofing coatings, are products applied to roofs to reduce solar heat, especially in areas with hot weather for a good part of the year. Because they can reduce surface temperatures by up to 80?F, these also have a big impact on electricity costs. Reflective roofing coatings can save a minimum of 25% in energy usage.

Another advantage of roofing coatings is that they contain UV-blocking pigments. Because UV rays age a roof important, the use of reflective roof coatings can extend the roof's lifespan by up to 15 years. This is especially true in homes with flat roofs or low slope, which tend to absorb sun energy at a higher rate than pitched roofs. Since roof maintenance cost more than 80% of a building's total maintenance cost, any product that can extend roof life will result in money savings.

Roofing coatings impact like mirrors, reflecting the solar rays back into space. To rate the level of reflections of different products, manufacturers had come up with a classifying system. High-albedo products like bright-white paint are the most effective, with a solar reflectance of 85%.

Some of the materials which is used as roofing coatings include: polyurethane, elastomeric and acrylic paints; single-ply roofing sheets made of plastic, rubber, or PVC; clay or concrete tiles; and metal, which is available in both natural and dark-colored sheets. Some coating materials can be easily applied with a roller, as in the case of paints. Others, such as PVC sheets, require the use of caulk or professional heat sealing done. If cost is a consideration, white paint and aluminum coatings are the best choices. They are inexpensive, easy to apply, and require little maintenance.

Because roofing coatings tend to lose their reflectance characteristic over time due to dust and dew, regular maintenance, in the form of reapplications or cleanings, is required.

Costs for reflective roofing coatings vary from US$0.75 per sq.ft for acrylic paints to over US$3 per sq.ft for PVC single-ply membranes. Price usually includes both materials and installation. While the up-front price of roofing coatings is usually higher than that of a traditional roofing, the savings on energy bills more than justify the added expense. In fact, reflective roofing coatings usually pay for themselves in a 2-3 years.

Best regards,
You roofing expert