Roof Restoration – Elastomeric Roof Coatings

Roof Restoration

Elastomeric roof coatings (fluid-applied) are becoming increasingly popular forms of restoration in commercial roofing and for good reason. These liquid-applied coatings cure after application, helping form a seamless barrier between the roof and the elements above, helping extend the life of many low-sloped roofs while enhancing roof performance.

Roof coatings are the more affordable option for sealing a roof compared to full replacements or extensive repairs. Sometimes when a flat roof has shown a few signs of wear but is far from needing replacement, a liquid roof coating is just the right thing to seal the roof’s exterior and secure several more years of serviceability.

A low-sloped roof is effectively ‘restored’ once an acrylic, silicone, or urethane coating has been professionally applied to an existing roof structure, increasing the roof’s life by up to 20 years! While these liquid-applied solutions are not always available to every roof or roof type, they are one of the most popular ways a building owner can add value to their property while reducing costs.

EC Malone Roofing is the Southeast’s number one roof restoration and coating applicator, serving the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida’s Panhandle. Have questions about roof coatings like acrylic and silicone? Read on below or call us today!

What are the Types of Roof Coatings?

While all of the roof coatings that Malone offers are liquid-applied substances that harden over an existing surface, each one has its own unique advantages and disadvantages that will determine whether they are a good fit for a specific application.
The main three types of coatings: acrylic, silicone, and urethane.

Acrylic coatings: Acrylic roof coatings are one of, if not the most, common type of roof coating on the market. They can be applied by brushing, rolling, or spraying over an existing roof surface and can last 10-20 years with proper preventative maintenance!

This water-based chemical is easy to install and offers UV protection proven to reduce the strain on commercial HVAC systems during the hot summer months we know all too well down here. Acrylic roof coatings are also compatible with other coating types, making them some of the most versatile restoration options available.
Acrylic will eventually degrade over time, so don’t expect it to be a forever solution. It can also be negatively affected by instances of ponding water. Water that builds up on sagging regions of the roof creates ponds. Ponding water begins to bond with the water in the acrylic, prematurely wearing away at the material and causing the coating to accelerate aging and deterioration. Property managers must be vigilant in preventing ponding water to avoid cracked, flaky roofs.
Malone offers silicone coatings as well. This type of roof coating is the second most common type of roof restoration and has a high resistance to ponding water, unlike acrylic. Silicone is another liquid that can be sprayed, rolled, or brushed onto a roof surface and is additionally good at resisting punctures.

Silicone offers elevated UV protection due to its reflective nature, reducing energy bills throughout the building. It also is one of the best ways to help protect against water damage from leaks or ponding water. Since silicone is not water-based, the risk of degrading the roof is abated when pools of water sit atop the layer for long periods of time. Silicone is also a moisture-cured substance, which means it’s still effective when applied during wet conditions, unlinke acrylic.

This type has its drawbacks as well. It has trouble sticking to anything that is not silicone, so a trained professional must perform the application. This also means that if the building owner wanted to reapply a roof coating in several years, once the original coating had begun to deteriorate and lost its sheen, they would be forced to choose silicone again – or replace the whole roof entirely.

Urethane coatings: Urethane coatings are the least common of the roof restoration methods but provide their own benefits. Urethane is a liquid membrane that can be sprayed or rolled onto an existing roof, helping to weatherproof the structure further. It also maintains strong UV protection, helping reduce indoor energy consumption and costs and boasting string impact resistance. Strong urethane coatings are known for strong defense against heavy foot traffic and falling debris.

Urethane happens to have a strong odor that is apparent when applied, and that lasts for several days after application. While this odor is not toxic, it can be off-putting to building occupants, and therefore careful consideration should be used when planning a urethane coating application.

Benefits of Roof Restoration

While each restoration material has its own attributes, they share a common benefit: they’re cheaper than getting an entirely new roof! Say you’re sure you need to make improvements to your roof due to a few leaks and other minor issues but don’t want to break your budget forking over thousands of dollars for extensive repairs or a full roof replacement.

Roof coatings allow you to create a seamless membrane over the existing roof that costs less, is less invasive than roof removals and installations, requires less labor, adds energy-saving qualities as well as waterproofing, and finally extends the life of your roof!

Here at Malone Roofing, we’re committed to providing our customers with the best solutions at any budget, and sometimes that means NOT reroofing the entire building. When a liquid-applied roof coating is a suitable option for your commercial low-slope roof, we’ll work with you to find the best thing to fit your budget.

Roof Restoration FAQ

Is a roof coating a full layer of roof? No. This allows building owners to install multiple coatings, where as building codes limit the building to only 2 roofs.

Are roof coatings expensive? As with any product, it depends on the application. Coatings are typically not as much as a new roof or extensive repairs! Roof coatings cost 70% less on average compared to full roof replacements.

Do roof coatings go over pitched roofs with shingles? No, roof restoration coatings are intended for flat, lo-sloped roofs found on commercial properties like grocery stores, factories, schools, and more.

Is my roof a good candidate for a roof coating? Schedule an inspection and find out! Malone is available 24/7/365 to help the businesses and residents of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida’s Panhandle, with all of their residential and commercial roofing needs!

How Much Does EPDM Roofing Cost?

Costs for EPDM roofing will vary depending on the availability of the material and market conditions, as well as various attributes of the roof being worked on. On average, installed EPDM roofing costs between $5 – $13 per square foot. A reliable roofing contractor will give you a more accurate estimate once they’ve conducted a complete roof inspection and have documented how complex the roof replacement project will be.

A small checklist of items must be done to determine the cost of an EPDM roof:

How big is the roof? What is the square footage?
How high off the ground is the roof area that will be replaced?
How many protrusions does the roof have? (the more there are, the more expensive the project will be)
What kind of equipment and technology will be used during the project>
What are the current local labor costs?

While there is no definitive price point on any given day, these baseline questions should help a buyer get an idea for how much an EPDM roof project may cost. If you have further questions about roofing costs, contact us today to speak with one of our commercial roofing experts.

TPO Roofing VS EPDM

EPDM, the most common commercial roofing solution, is often compared to TPO roofing, the increasingly popular roofing solution. Clients looking for a full roof replacement compare and contrast these materials, and they often want to know which will be the best choice in the long run.

The truth is the decision will ultimately depend on the unique situation of the property to be re-roofed. That’s why property owners and managers need to consult with their trusted professional roofer to determine the best possible fit for the desired budget.

Will your roof be subject to grease and chemical spills? Will it be required to support steady foot traffic and maintenance personnel? Is the region where the roof is being installed cold or hot most of the time? These are just some of the questions that buyers and roofers need to address before making a decision.

Some of the common differences between EPDM and TPO roofing are listed below.

EPDM typically lasts longer than TPO and is generally a more durable material.
EPDM is more resistant to fire and hail damage than TPO
TPO is often white, and the bright color helps reflect damaging UV rays while also helping keep indoor temperatures down in the summertime. EPDM is usually darker and excels at retaining heat within a building.
TPO is generally more flexible than EPDM, helping alleviate its susceptibility to punctures.
TPO is also often heat welded and chemically adhered, whereas EPDM is usually mechanically adhered with seam tape welds.

When making a decision, ask yourself what you need. Do you need a cooler building or a warmer one? In the south, we usually need cooler!

TPO is great for high-sunshine environments while EPDM is perfect for cold, overcast climates that appreciate the added warmth from the dark EPDM surface.