How roof coatings open new doors for contractors

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Discover how offering roof coatings is creating new opportunities for contractors with easy entry and sustainable solutions. 

In this CoatingsTalk, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Abby Feinstein, CertainTeed’s director of product management, marketing and sustainability, to discuss how roof coatings are transforming the roofing industry. Abby expresses the accessibility of coatings for contractors and how they can serve as a gateway to larger commercial roofing opportunities. 

Abby notes, “Roof restoration is essentially an extension of repair and maintenance. While you can certainly invest $10,000 and go buy a spray rig, that’s not the first thing I would suggest you do. You can literally walk into Home Depot, spend 70 bucks and have the tools you need to essentially start a repair and maintenance group.” This low barrier to entry, she explains, makes coatings an attractive option for contractors, particularly those transitioning from residential to commercial work or those new to coatings. 

Abby discusses the significant cost advantages of roof restoration over traditional tear-offs, stating that restoration not only saves on material costs but also allows building owners to avoid the capital expenses associated with a full roof replacement. “A roof restoration is considered maintenance. So, any monies that are spent towards that are depreciated in year one, which is a big deal,” she says. This financial flexibility can be particularly appealing to building owners looking to manage their budgets more effectively. 

The discussion also touches on the ease of training for coatings, as Abby argues that the skill set required for coatings is different — and often easier to acquire — compared to traditional roofing methods. “When you talk about roof restoration and the application techniques necessary to do that successfully compared to that of traditional factory-made membranes, I think the application skill is... dare I say lower,” Abby states, showing that while proper training is essential, coatings do not require the same level of technical expertise as other roofing systems. 

Moreover, Abby addresses the sustainability benefits of coatings, pointing out that they can help reduce waste and environmental impact by avoiding roof tear-offs and enhancing energy efficiency through reflective properties. “Tear-off contribution to landfill is tremendous,” she remarks, representing the environmental appeal of coatings for clients with sustainability goals. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about  how roof coatings can serve as a valuable addition to your business!