Coating

Our roofing experts see it every day – a facility manager realizes their roof warranty is coming to an end, but their roof isn’t in bad shape. A few repairs over the years, but no devastating damage or visible leaks.

To get a new warranty, most think they will have to pay for a complete roof replacement.

What if I told you there are other options?

In this article, we’ll explain:

• What a silicone roof coating system is?
• How does a silicone roof coating system get installed?
• What are the pros and cons of silicone coating systems?

And just so you’re aware, Golden coast Roofing has been in commercial roofing since 2009. We specialize in spray polyurethane foam roofing, which uses silicone roof coatings for protection from UV rays. Since around 2008, using silicone roof coating systems on their own has been an attractive, low-cost option for certain situations.

Every article written at golden coast Roofing Systems is produced in-house and is reviewed and approved by a spray foam and coating expert with more than 15 years of experience.

A silicone roof coating system is a single layer (applied in one or two coats) of silicone that’s rolled or sprayed on as a liquid to fill in cracks, blisters, and seams.

The process does not improve the insulation or underlying system, but it does add an extra layer of protection from the elements.

Facility owners tend to opt for a roof coating system when their roof is in good shape but just needs to be renewed from older age and normal wear and tear.
The process of installing a coating system is straightforward.

First, an infrared inspection should be performed to see if there are any saturated areas of insulation under the membrane. After those saturated areas have been removed and replaced, the entire roof surface is power washed clean to remove any contaminants.

After the primer has been installed (if needed), the seams of the membrane are then reinforced.
Once all of the miscellaneous repairs have been performed to the existing roof system, silicone is sprayed, or roller applied over the entire surface of the roof.

After the silicone coating system has been completed, a final inspection will be performed by a third-party or the manufacturer’s representative to verify all the necessary repairs were performed properly and the silicone is applied with the right amount of thickness. When the repairs and silicone coating applications are approved, the final warranty is issued.

Cost Savings

The #1 benefit of a silicone roof coating system is the cost savings versus completely tearing off and installing a new roof system.

A silicone coating system usually costs between $3 and $5.50 per square foot. A complete roof tear-off and installation can cost $4 – $10 per square foot.

As long as the existing roof substrate is dry and stable, no roof removal is required.

If there are some wet areas of the roof, these can be removed and installed with new, dry material before silicone is installed.

Extended Life Roof

If your roof is in relatively good condition, you can extend the life of your commercial roof by protecting it from the elements. Since the silicone is applied as a liquid, it fills in any seams, cracks, or other vulnerable areas of your roof.

Warranties come in 10, 15, and 20-year increments

Reduced Energy Expenses

Silicone roof coatings are often referred to as “cool roofs” due to their ability to keep facilities cool. The bright white color reflects UV rays, saving up to 35% in energy costs by reducing air conditioning usage to keep the facilities cool.

Short Project Duration

One of the biggest issues with having work done on your facility is the interruptions to the daily functions of your building. A silicone coating installation can cut the down project duration up to 30%. This is not only more convenient, but it can also save money on labor expenses.

Backed by Manufacturer’s Warranty

A silicone roof coating system is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. These usually come in 10, 15, and 20-year warranties.

The coating will prevent any roof leaks unless there’s interference by third parties (such as another contractor damaging the roof), acts of God (such as a tornado), structural changes to the building, or a change in operations.

For more information about silicone warranties, please contact us and we’ll reply as fast as we can.