Silicone Roof Coatings, Excellent For Flat Roof Maintenance

The weather extremes in Montgomery County demand the use of superior roofing materials, especially on flat roofs. Blazing sun, heavy rain, ice and snow all threaten to compromise the waterproof nature of flat roofs.

Proactive Maintenance With Silicone Coatings

It is especially important to be proactive about flat roof maintenance because such designs don’t shed water as readily as pitched roofs do. Water can collect in low spots and remain there for long periods. Ponding water and roof leaks are a troublesome combination. If you neglect leaks, a complete roof tear-off may become the only remaining solution.

By comparison, a liquid silicone coating is a relatively low-cost solution that can extend the effective life of a flat roof for years. Silicone roof coatings are popular for some of the same reasons that high-quality silicone caulk is. These silicone products retain the ability to remain flexible and maintain adhesion in a high UV environment for many years.

Let’s look at some of the reasons why BRAX Roofing often recommends Silicone products to seal flat roofs. Silicone roof coatings exhibit a number of superior characteristics:

• 50 year manufacturer warranty
• Waterproof in standing water (Ponding water is not an issue)
• Retains flexibility over time
• Color choice, including white
• Product is UL fire-rated

Silicone roof coatings are ideal for use in maintaining a wide variety of roofing systems, including EPDM, PVC, TPO, metal and built-up roofs. It is also frequently applied over pre-existing elastomeric coatings.

Why Silicone Rather Than Acrylic?

Silicone roof coatings are superior to acrylic roof coatings in a number of ways:

Ponding water

Unlike acrylic, silicone cannot re-emulsify when subjected to standing water for long periods. When acrylic coatings soften, they lose adhesion. Properly applied, Silicone roof coatings will stand up to frequent bouts of ponding water.

UV light

Acrylic coatings deteriorate due to the effects of ultraviolet light constantly emitted by the sun. Such flat roof coatings may crack, chalk, discolor or grow hazy due to UV light exposure. By contrast, a silicone elastomeric coating will not degrade when assaulted by UV rays.

Inorganic

Acrylic coatings are carbon-based, organic formulations. By contrast, silicone roof coatings are inorganic in nature. That is, they do not interact with moisture and UV light. Therefore, silicone-based materials are much more stable in demanding environments like rooftops. Because silicone coatings are inorganic, they feature ultra-low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can harm the environment.

High-build coating

Silicone roof coatings contain more solids than acrylic coatings. In fact, a high-quality silicone product may have triple the solids of an acrylic product. Why does this matter? Well, it is important because silicone coating is a “high-build” product that goes on thicker. It is therefore easier to create a thick, seamless, waterproof membrane capable of protecting your roof for decades.

High reflectivity

Standard black flat roofs absorb heat, increasing the load on a building’s cooling system. A highly reflective white silicone roof coating may reduce cooling requirements by 15-25 percent or more.

Storm-resistant

The silicone membrane is very tough, so it can typically withstand the impact of objects like hail.

Smooth surface

The silicone coating creates a very smooth, glossy surface that resists mold, mildew and staining. As a result, it also retains its reflectivity over time.

In conclusion, silicone roof coatings provide superior UV resistance, high reflectivity and strong adhesion, and the manufacturer backs up its products with an impressive 50-year warranty. Learn more about the advantages of a silicone restoration membrane from the experts at BRAX Roofing.

We’d welcome the opportunity to answer all of your questions. We always offer our residential and commercial flat roof customers a complimentary, no-obligation estimate. Please contact us today!