Silicone roof coatings have been a high quality roofing option for quite some time now, yet many people are still unaware of exactly what the coating does and the benefits of silicone roof coatings. Many building owners still think that the benefits of silicone roof coatings does not warrant the cost, or they are uncertain about the advantages. But there are many silicone roof coating benefits facility managers and building owners receive, when they install a silicone coating on their roof. These benefits greatly outweigh the potential higher cost – and will easily justify the upfront expense. Here are five different silicone roof coating benefits in detail – see how each one of them can impact your building and your company.
Silicone Roof Coatings Are Generally Applied In a Single Coat
One of the most important silicone roof coating benefits is that they have higher solids content than acrylic and other cheaper coatings, and therefore can be applied thicker in a single coat without compromising on application quality and effectiveness when cured. This saves greatly on labor costs and reduces the time on the roof. This advantage is made possible by the careful scientific formulation of silicone coatings that has evolved and improved over many years. The ability to apply the coatings at a greater thickness means the installer can correct minor slope problems and reduce ponding water during the application process.
Most Silicone Roof Coatings Do Not Need a Primer
Applying a silicone roof coating on your roof has another distinct advantage in that in most cases, it doesn’t need a primer. Normally, silicone coating can be applied directly to the existing roofing surface with only a simple power washing. Again, this results in lower labor costs and lower material costs as no primer is needed, and less time is required. However, some single-ply roofing systems that were recently installed (less than 5 years old) still have a filmy residue on top of them that doesn’t allow the silicone to stick. To determine if you need a primer, you should always perform some adhesion tests to be sure.
Silicone Roof Coatings Are Safer for the Environment
Silicone coatings are solvent free and contain extremely low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) levels. Solvent-free means the coatings aren’t flammable and while they can ignite, their flashpoint is extremely high and they don’t have the fuel required to sustain fire. Silicone Roof Coatings have extremely low VOC levels, even lower than those required by even California – the state with strictest standards. These properties mean the silicone coating meets and exceeds material safety standards in all 50 states and can be purchased and installed knowing that the material is appropriate and safe for use.
Silicone Roof Coating Provides Extreme Protection
Silicone coatings will maintain their adhesion and remain leak-free even when under the pressure of ponding water. Thanks again to its scientific formulation that allows it to moisture cure, silicone forms an impermeable membrane that can resist ponding water better than any other coating. There are very few other coatings that can say the same. Also, because silicone coatings are specially formulated to be non-sacrificial, they don’t chalk away over time.
Rather than slowly deteriorating and becoming useless, coatings pretty much stay in the same form after installation. There will be wear and tear and they need to be recoated, but they last much longer than most other coatings. Silicone Roof Coatings are also highly resistant to UV exposure. This was the original reason for their popular use, and it is still a key benefit to them now.
Silicone Coatings Are Extremely Easy to Install – in many weather conditions
The application of a silicone coating on your roofing system is easier than almost all other coatings for many reasons. Silicone coatings cure faster, are moisture cured products (humidity is a plus rather than something that must be avoided), they can fully cure in hot and cold temperatures which extends the roofing system into spring and fall, and there is no risk of wash-off thanks to the careful formulation behind silicone coating. This takes most of the headaches out of roof repairs and replacements, using Silicone Roof Coatings.
If you’re interested in extending the life and improving performance of your buildings roof with a silicone coating, or about the other services provided by Home Grown Roofing and Contracting, check out the many other blog posts on our website, Schedule an appointment to get an assessment, or give us a call today at 303-997-3976.