Commercial applications drive interest in urethane roof systems

By Jesse Sanchez. 

UNIFLEX® sees polyurethane coatings gaining traction as contractors target higher-end commercial and specialty facilities. 

UNIFLEX® and Sherwin Williams Roofing Solutions are seeing polyurethane roof coatings move from an emerging option to a practical solution as contractors respond to the demands of higher-end commercial and specialty facilities. During this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth spoke with Chris Underwood, product manager for UNIFLEX and CoolSeal, and Jamie Atkins, assistant product manager for UNIFLEX, about how market expectations are driving interest in urethane-based systems such as Urethane 88. 

Chris said contractors who are familiar with polyurethane coatings tend to recognize their advantages quickly. “The ones that have experience or are properly trained with urethane coatings really like them because of the durability and the adhesion properties,” he said. That response, he explained, often comes after contractors see how the material performs in more demanding environments. 

Those performance characteristics are increasingly important in complex commercial projects. Chris noted that polyurethane systems are well suited for higher-end applications tied to national and corporate accounts. “When you start looking at more commercial applications, your higher-end commercial applications where there’s going to be the need for a highly durable UV-stable solution,” he said. As a result, he added, UNIFLEX is seeing demand increase as sales teams become more involved with those accounts. 

While polyurethane coatings typically come with a higher upfront cost, Chris emphasized that the category has been building momentum for years. “Urethane has been on our roadmap for a while,” he said. He pointed out that silicone once captured much of the industry’s attention but noted that “there was an emerging technology that was coming up called urethanes,” which has continued to gain acceptance. 

Jamie said long-term appearance is often a deciding factor when contractors recommend polyurethane systems. “You want that long-lasting durability and that appearance that long-lasting appearance of a new roof that is maintained with the polyurethane,” he said.  

Material fit and long-term performance are often evaluated together when contractors consider polyurethane systems, particularly on roofs where access and repeat work are concerns. Jamie framed the value in practical terms, emphasizing reduced callbacks and extended service intervals. “You’re going to apply a product that is going to last for a long time and you’re not going to need to worry about getting back up there for a while,” he said, pointing to durability as a key factor driving contractor confidence across demanding roof conditions. 

As training expands and contractors gain confidence with application techniques, UNIFLEX expects polyurethane coatings to become a more common part of the commercial roofing landscape. Company leaders anticipate that increased familiarity with urethane systems will drive wider adoption and continued growth as contractors incorporate the technology into more commercial projects. 

Learn more about how UNIFLEX urethane systems support demanding commercial roofing applications!