Roof Coating Specialists
In hot weather climates with a lot of flat roofs like in Tucson as well as the rest of Arizona, you hear a lot about roof coating, especially elastomeric cool roof reflective coatings (or some combination of those terms). This material is exremely popular in the roofing industry and has many benefits worth considering.
When you hear the term elastomeric, think elastic - it can stretch and contract back to its original shape. This is a great quality to have in roofing material, especially in the desert where the temperature fluctuations can vary so greatly. This type of material comes in liquid, but as it is applied to a roof surface, it creates what is known as a monolithic roofing membrane, meaning it’s a single entity as it binds to itself and the roof, making a watertight seal against moisture (when properly applied).
One of the variables that determine whether you get a true, single waterproof seal has to do with how the material is applied. Another factor in its water resistance is the quality of the material itself.
Quality elastomeric material such as APOC 252 applied with a ¾ in nap roller, followed by a second coat once it’s cured, will give your roof a solid seal, and you don't need to put down primer coat first. If you use the bright reflective white, you will reduce the heat absorbed by your roof and into your home. Studies have shown that cool roof coatings can lower rooftop temperatures and reduce air conditioning bills. See this video for what difference it can make
Benefits of Elastomeric Roof Coating in Arizona
okay we want to show the comparison with the coating the elastomeric coating versus the non coating this temperature is 95 degrees on the heating unit that has no elastomeric on it and if we go down to the ductwork which I just did 46 degrees a huge difference in in comparison so that means all of your cold air the air conditioning is now going to be insulated even more than what the ductwork has so in the middle of the summer when this is the case this ductwork won't maybe a hundred degrees versus 150 degrees makes a huge difference for your heating bill and after the roof the difference the roof let's go over here so here before we coat the roof the temperatures about 85 more or less that's on the on the surface that's not been coded if we go up onto the white onto the last merit it's 54 degrees big big difference and again in reflectivity as far as the heat and also the sealing process so that's why that you want to get the thicker the coating of the elastomeric the better and the longer-lasting against the UV rays but also the more reflective and better insulation as well big difference and long lasting
Have Questions About Roof Coatings for Your Home?
The thing with these kinds of materials used in roof coatings is that the product and application process described above is not what every roofing contractor will do. Some roofing companies have been known to use lower cost, lower quality products, sometimes even diluting them with water. On top of this, they may use a spray application leaving you with the appearance of a white, cool coated roof, but giving you no more benefit than a white paint job. So… know what materials are being used and how it is being applied before settling on a bid simply because it’s the lowest price.
You must also distinguish between roof coatings and deck coatings. While you are certainly able to walk on a roof surface with elastomeric roof coating without any problem, they’re not designed for high foot traffic. For an area with any kind of regular, ongoing use, whether by people, cars, bicycles, there are specifically designed materials known as deck coatings that offer more structural protection that should be used.
It's clear to see why this relatively easy to apply material that does an excellent job waterproofing your roof is a popular option for roof repairs. But it is not ideal for all situations. For example, it does not work well and is not recommended to be used over existing shingles of any kind, and in particular, asphalt shingles and built-up roofs.
In fact, the National Roofing Contractors Association’s (NRCA) director of technical services has stated "The roofing industry is aware of a number of issues that could have negative consequences for field application of silicone coatings over asphalt shingle roof systems. Anyone considering this type of application should be aware of the concerns so they can weigh them against the benefits claimed in coating product promotional materials."
One area where roof coatings may not work quite as well as initially anticipated isn’t so much a failure on the part of the material, but on the challenges of flat and low-slope roofs. With a flat or nearly flat roof, there is a high likelihood of depressions that can cause water to ‘pond’, especially around scuppers or drains. When subjected to ponding, coating materials may not last their full expected lifetime.
When looking for the manufacturer's warranty on the roof coating you choose to use, check whether it covers areas of ponding. Also, check your roof on occasion to see if you have ponding issues. A ponding issue can be fixed more easily than a leak. When you hire a skilled roofing contractor, they look for areas of ponding and address them as part of the job.
Roof coatings, especially reflective coatings in Arizona, are a great option for your residential roof. It will seal up any leaks you may have when it’s properly applied, it will also extend the life of your roof by reducing the transfer of heat into your home, thereby reducing the load on your air conditioner. The reflective, heat reducing properties also reduces what is known as ‘thermal shock’; the expansion and contraction of your roof which helps extend the lifetime of your roof.
A properly applied roof coating can last up to 10 years or more, depending on the quality of the material and the thickness and method of application. When the roof coating degrades, as everything will over time, especially when subjected to the brutal heat of Arizona summers, you can apply a fresh coat over the top of the existing coat, re-sealing and regaining the benefits that may have been lost over time.
When it comes to your Tucson roof coating, there can be confusion by consumers between an elastomeric roof coating specialist and rubberized roof coatings. Elastomeric is simply a generic term for “rubber-like” roof coatings, so don't let it throw you!
Coating a Roof - APOC Shades Of Green
these roof restoration experts are dedicated to creating long-lasting structures while conserving energy and protecting our environment you've noticed your monthly electric bills keep rising Americans are using record amounts of electricity and paying record high prices today we're going to look at the problem and a solution that works on almost any kind of building cool roofing buildings use approximately forty percent of all the energy consumed in the US of a third of all the energy used by buildings can be ascribed to the energy efficiency of the roofing systems because the surface of a cool roof is highly reflective the surface of the roof remains cool the roof will last longer second benefit is less energy from the roof is being transferred into the building and the air conditioning equipment for that building runs less cool roof coatings were developed to reduce energy usage in a building by reflecting and emitting heat what makes a roof coating good these coatings have to be stronger they have to stretch more they have to be more resistant to UV and they have to be resistant to washing away through erosion cool roofs save money for homeowners and for businesses when the Sun is between 100 115 degrees you need something reflect off your roof if you do not do that you're going to feel the heat inside your living space but also your air conditioning will have to work twice as hard to try to cool off your area inside if you don't use white roof coatings on your roof eventually you would have to replace the roof after a certain time they work really well for retail for office buildings you don't have that the odors associated with hot asphalt built up roofing you'll see how cool roofs help cut your monthly electric bills and make roofs and air conditioners last longer as a bonus cool roofs make our world cleaner and greener by reducing global warming improving our air quality and cutting landfill waste besides impacting just a single bill cool roofs also act communities temperatures within the urban center of the city and to be much much warmer than those in the surrounding communities this phenomenon is called the urban heat island if you take 100 cities change every energy absorbing surface in those cities now you can talk about reducing the global temperature which would have an offset on global climate change as a building owner we save money by installing a cool roof because we're utilizing the existing roof system and applying a system onto it that elongates it it's useful life at the end of that useful life you have several options one would be to tear off that roof and replace it with a new roof fortunately today we have a coding restoration system which can actually extend the life of that roof the net effect or customer and many times is he saving money on his cooling costs he'll make a more comfortable work environment as you're reducing surface temperature some you know 60 70 degrees one company that has taken the lead in promoting cool roofs and energy savings is a POC the division of Gardner industries a POC has always been the industry leader we spent significant resources maintaining the highest quality control standards in the industry we continually look to improve our company through the implementation of new technology as well as improving our operational efficiencies lastly we have the number one research and development program in the industry we've recently developed and launched the highest-rated independently tested and certified cool roof coating manufactured in the world a POC is a company that has made a great investment in research and development for as you may imagine there are a vast number of materials if it can be used to make coatings they are also changing on a day to day basis as well which means that you need to do a good deal of research and development in order to keep up with changing raw materials but also to continuously improve your coatings and make them some of the highest reflecting and emitting coatings in the industry in supplying white roof coatings there are many markets that we serve we serve residential customers through the sale of our coatings through big box and retail stores we also serve many contractors through larger building supply houses and roofing supply houses that sell these products directly to contractors who would apply them on commercial buildings apoc recently partnered with the city of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Vice President Al Gore and promoting cool roofs throughout the city on a hot summer day the temperature on a heat reflective cool roof can be as much as 60 degrees Fahrenheit lower than on a dark surfaced roof the internal temperature on the top floor of a building can be 10 to 20 degrees cooler and that translates into substantial savings on the cost of air conditioning we're building owners saving as much as fifty percent in a one-story building and ten percent and a five-story building because they less stressed by extreme heat cool roofs last five to ten years longer air conditioning units last longer to all of which saves building owners money actions that help to solve the climate crisis also have found economic benefits putting people to work saving on energy costs making our buildings and our economy more efficient one of our clients is in a distribution building of 130,000 square feet and they were complaining that it was too hot in the summertime so we applied the apoc product and the following winter they're complaining it was too cold
Polyurethane and other roof coatings
As you can see, roof coatings can be beneficial to your roof whether you currently have acrylic, metal, modified bitumen over your head. Polyurethane foam and other types of product used for roof coatings such as EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer) can provide you protection against all kinds of wear from the wind, sun and hot weather. Having a professional roofing contractor do this kind of coating service is the best bet to ensure it's done right and that your roof will keep doing its business for you for the long haul. DC Roofing of Arizona are your roof coating experts.
We gladly service the entire, greater Tucson area, including Oro Valley, Marana, Saddlebrooke, Green Valley and Vail, AZ. Call DC Roofing today! (520) 979-9095
Answers to Questions About Roof Coatings for Your Home
How many gallons of roof coating do I need?
A good rule of thumb is that every 100 square feet of roof equals one gallon of coating. Be sure to allow for roofing on parapet walls, garages, and porches. Take a simple sketch of your roof with dimensions to your coating dealer for help.
What is the best elastomeric roof coating?
When you talk about “the best” of anything, you’re going to get a lot of varying opinions. Without a doubt, a very good choice of elastomeric coating for your residential roof in Tucson would be APOC 252 Sunwhite Premium.
How to apply roof coating?
- Thoroughly clean the surface of any large debris using a broom or blower, followed by pressure washing.
- Make necessary repairs, especially around roof penetrations or low areas that creates ponding.
- Use a ¾ inch roller to apply a thick, even coat across the roof surface. Allow to dry completely and repeat.
How much does roof coating cost?
Ballpark pricing for elastomeric coatings can range between $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot. This includes labor.
What is cool roof coating?
Cool roof coatings are a white roof coating material designed to reflect away the sun’s heat. It can have a dramatic effect on lowering the temperature of the roof, thereby reducing the energy requirements of the air conditioner to cool the building.