Elastomeric roof coatings - A roof for life?

Elastomeric roof coatings last longer than most flat roof materials. They have rubber-like properties that return to their original dimensions after they are stretched or deformed during normal shifting of the structure, as the coating expands and contracts with the surface to which it is applied.

Over time a roof will degrade from heat, sunlight, cracking, and expansion and contraction. Historically, roofing contractors would tear-off the aging roof and replace it every 15 to 20 years. Alternatively, with regular maintenance such as the occasional cleaning and re-coating every 10-15 years, elastomeric coatings can last the lifetime of the building.

Gaining an additional 5 years of roof service life reduces the cost of roofing by 20% or more, and significantly reduces landfill waste from roofing, which represents approximately 4% of the total volume of solid wastes in the United States.

Nothing lasts forever, but proper maintenance can extend the life of just about everything - especially an elastomeric roof coating system.

Watch this short video to learn more about Conklin elastomeric roof systems:



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EPA Standards on Roof Coatings: VOCs

Besides the performance and sustainability benefits of roof coatings, they also offer economic benefits that should be considered. Energy savings, reduced life-cycle costs and in some cases, federal, state, and local incentives might be available as well:




As regulations related to the roofing industry and concern for the environment continue to evolve, companies searching for sustainable roofing options can consider reflective roof coatings. When specified, installed and maintained properly, roof coatings offer an economical option to consider as part of a sound, overall roof-management program.

One challenge facing the roof coatings industry is the increasing emphasis on reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in construction materials including coatings, adhesives, primers, and sealants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set standards limiting the amount of VOCs in products.

The intent of these regulations is to reduce the amounts of ozone-depleting compounds entering the earth's atmosphere. Although many roof coatings feature low- or no-VOC formulations, some coatings cannot be used in all areas of the country.

Some state and local governing bodies have VOC standards that surpass EPA requirements. For example, some California air-quality districts limit VOCs. The Ozone Transport Commission (OTC), which is made up of 13 northeast and mid-Atlantic states, also has developed standards for VOC limitations, and it is expected more states will adopt these or similar models in the future.

It is important to research these requirements and ensure that all primers, sealants, base coats, and topcoats specified in the roof coating system being recommended by your roofing contractor indeed meet applicable VOC requirements.


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Untested coatings and inexperienced roofing contractors: Questions to ask

As manufacturers of roof coatings continue to expand product lines and respond to the increased emphasis on white roofs and sustainability, consider that new, untested coatings with limited track records will enter the market. New installers with limited experience also might begin installing roof coatings.

Using untested or unproven products and inexperienced installers can increase the risk of installing a roof coating system that fails to meet customer expectations.

Some coating suppliers and applicators also tend to offer long-term warranties in an effort to build customer confidence and differentiate themselves from competitors. While warranties have their place, pre-qualifying manufacturers, specific products, and applicators is a more reliable means to control — and ensure the success of — the selection process.

You should also consider the following questions in making decisions:

• How long has the formulation been in use?
• Does the supplier make the coating, or do they have their products private-labeled?
• What is the oldest application of the formulation?
• Will the manufacturer provide mock-ups and adhesion testing to assist with system selection?
• Do nearby facilities have the proposed products in place?
• Can the manufacturer provide references who are available for interviews

If you are interested in roof coatings, it is best to use proven materials and experienced roof coating installers.


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When not to have roof coatings installed

Reflective roof coatings are an economical, long-lasting alternative to re-roofing in many circumstances:



A roof coating is not the right solution in all cases, particularly with failed or failing roof systems. A roof coating is not a substitute for roof replacement when conditions such as widespread wet insulation or loss of roof-system adhesion exist. Coatings might restore the watertight nature for a short time, but factors such as the freezing and thawing of wet insulation, membrane splitting under the coating, wind-uplift damage at unadhered areas, and hail damage of weakened areas still can occur. In these cases, it would be wiser to invest in a completed roof system replacement.

You can use coatings to sustain roofs that have ponding issues or contaminant exposure, but coatings are not viable options for roofs with problems related to surface preparation. If workers cannot prepare surfaces so coatings will adhere properly, they should not apply a coating.

Reputable coating manufacturers can assist you with construction of mock-ups and adhesion testing procedures during project planning to determine appropriate surface-preparation procedures, priming needs, and product selection. These procedures are always prudent if any questions exist about the ability of a coating system to bond to a given roof surface.

Also, based on an anticipated life of 20-25 years for solar panels, coating a roof before installing solar panels actually might increase the risk of requiring the roof to be recoated before the end of the solar panels' useful service life.


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Explaining the three types of roof coatings

There are three general categories of roof coatings including traditional, reflective and maintenance.

Traditional roof coatings have been used for decades and are designed to be compatible chemically with the existing roof system. By protecting it from direct exposure to UV light, water and other weather elements, traditional coatings extend the servicable life of the existing roof.

Reflective roof coatings also protect the roof from exposure to sunlight and weathering, but with the added benefit of reflecting infrared heat. Even small reductions in roof surface temperature significantly extends the life of the existing roof, especially for well-insulated roof systems which get hotter because heat is retained on the roof surface.

Reflective coatings come in water-based white acrylic roof coatings and reflective aluminum asphalt. Acrylic roof coatings reduce infrared heat absorption in the roof membrane, helping to reduce the internal temperature of uninsulated buildings. This saves on cooling costs.

Water-based white acrylics must be selected carefully. For example, to use a white coating on an asphalt roof, you must specify a coating formulated specifically for asphalt. More so than other coatings, water-based white acrylics are not intended for use in standing water. If a roof has a tendency to pond, the roofing contractor should first fill the depressions where ponded water accumulates before applying an acrylic coating. Their application also is limited to emulsion surfaces, and they should not be applied at temperatures below 45 degrees. For a gravel roof, the recommendations of the manufacturer should be followed. Finally, the curing time should not be underestimated: Water-based coatings can require from six to 48 hours of cure time before the roof can be exposed to rain or cold temperatures. It is crucial that the instructions on the label are followed.

Reflective aluminum-asphalt coatings use aluminum flakes in an asphalt matrix. Although they do retain a bit more infrared heat than white coatings, they can be applied on a variety of substrates including metal, single-ply and built-up roofs. Either type of coating can be used on unpainted metal roofs, but only the aluminum-asphalt roof coatings will allow the roof to retain its metallic appearance.

Maintenance membranes use a combination of coating material and reinforcing fabric. The membranes are used either as a short-term effort to stabilize a roof that might be compromised and eventually will need to be replaced, or as a longer-term solution that can extend the life of the roof five to 15 years. But simply applying coatings is not the same as applying a complete maintenance system.


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EPDM roof restoration coating systems [+video]

EPDM is a black synthetic rubber single-ply roofing system that is typically mechanically fastened to the roof deck with screws and plates. They are sometimes covered with a layer of gravel or ballasted rock.

Some of the problems with EPDM roofs include moisture gain under the membrane itself, poor self-attachment at the seams and around pipes and other fixtures, UV radiation causing sealants to dry out and crumble, tenting, and punctures.

Because they are black, EPDM absorbs a significant amount of solar heat energy. This negatively influences the material chemistry and leads to accelerated weathering of the membrane. As the processing oils leach out, it becomes less elastic, less flexible, thins out, begins to shrink, and tears and punctures more easily, ultimately causing the roof to leak.

Applying a white roof coating to a new or existing EPDM roof reduces the heat load on the membrane and the building, and significantly prolongs the roof system's service life.

The Environmental Protection Agency, along with legislation in states such as California, Georgia, Texas, and Illinois and several local building codes are now mandating low-slope roofs have an initial and aged solar reflectance that meets ENERGYSTAR® criteria.

Black EPDM membranes have less than 10% solar reflectance, causing the roof to exceed 150 degrees. This is significantly below the minimum required initial solar reflectance of at least 65% for new roofs.

White roof coatings have an initial solar reflectance of 80% or higher, keeping the roof surface near ambient temperature to reduce your energy bills. Coatings also reflect UV rays, which protects the membrane oils, preserves elasticity & flexibility, and provides a protective barrier - all contributing to fewer leaks, extended service life, and reduced life cycle cost of your roof.

Recent improvements in coating adhesion technology in addition to the need for enhanced solar reflectance have created an even greater opportunity for home and building owners to have restoration coating systems installed, avoiding tear-off and replacement of aged EPDM roofs.

So before you replace your aged EPDM roof, consider getting a quote from a professional roofing contractor who specializes in EPDM roof restoration coatings for a more affordable, more energy efficient, more environmentally friendly, more sustainable, and faster-to-install alternative to re-roofing.


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How a built-up roof ages and how to fix it

Asphalt is a waterproofing agent and adhesive used in built-up roof systems used in new construction successfully for decades, with approximately a 40% percent market share in the roofing industry.

The asphalt that is used in built-up systems provides an excellent water barrier, but asphalt is also highly subject to degradation from exposure to the sun, hardening progressively when exposed to roof temperatures. This deterioration occurs with all asphalt-based components, including cap sheets, saturated felts, and asphalt moppings.

Normal changes in temperature cause the underlying asphalt to expand. Since the asphalt skin can't stretch to accommodate for the movement, random cracking begins to relieve the stress and fresh asphalt is exposed. Over time, that fresh asphalt within the cracks forms a new skin which then eventually cracks in the same line again due to temperature changes, leaving a slightly deeper depression. This process repeats itself over-and-over until the crack lines grow deep and into the felts, ultimately allowing water to infiltrate the building, causing leaks.

The best thing you can do for your built-up roof is to protect the asphalt waterproofing component from the effects of exposure to heat and sunlight, such as a white elastomeric cool roof restoration coating like the ones manufactured by Conklin Company.

Please watch this short video to learn more about built-up roof restoration coating systems:
 



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