Do You Know Your Roof Coatings?

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Learn all about the different types of roof coatings on the market and all their pros and cons. 

Roof coatings are an increasingly popular choice among commercial roofing contractors. Coating systems are a desirable option due to their easy application and reflective properties. In an article from Florida Roofing Magazine, Amir Khan, senior vice president of research and development at ICP Building Solutions Group, breaks down all the types of roof coatings as well as their benefits and drawbacks. 

In the article, Amir gives an overview of what roof coatings are and outlines their general advantages. He describes all coatings as being a valuable option for low-slope roofs, as they do not add any deadload to existing roof systems. He also says that having a roof coating system can help improve a contracting company’s profits due to their quick installation process. 

“Coatings offer many benefits, including the opportunity to improve your profits by keeping your crews moving quickly from one job to the next,” he writes.  

Amir breaks down the four main types of roof coatings: asphaltic blends, acrylic elastomeric, polyurethane and silicone. For each coating, he discusses what they are composed of, how they are installed and why each might be an appealing option. For example, in the case of asphalt roof coatings, he says that they have an added benefit of being more economical and easier to apply.  

“These coatings are also preferred for their low-to-moderate cost compared to other types of roof coatings, combined with their fast and easy applicability,” he writes. “These advantages have made asphalt roof coatings the industry-standard choice and backbone of countless successful businesses for decades.” 

Read the entire article to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of different roof coatings. 

Photo credit: APOC