Metal Roof Drawbacks
Metal has been a staple in the American roofing industry for many years. It is trusted for its long life-span, durability, and strength to weight ratio. Some recent estimates have stated that metal roofs make up between 35-50% of all roofs in America, residential and commercial. The main drawback to metal roofs is that they have seams and fasteners, both of which allow water into the building. The seams and fasteners often allow the unwanted exchange of air from outside the building to inside as well. What can be done to prevent the two major downfalls of a metal roof? Metal roof coatings.
Metal Roof Coatings – The Answer
Many building owners and contractors have discovered that while a metal roof may develop a large leak or lose its insulating power, metal roof coatings can waterproof the building and seal up those seams that allow heat to escape and cold to enter.
Our process of coating a metal roof is what we call a roof coating restoration. We apply silicone as a metal roof coating and provide a 100% seal of the roof. This means no water in, even ponding water, and decreased exchange of air between the building and the atmosphere.
Applying Metal Roof Coatings
When applying metal roof coatings, be they silicone or acrylic or any other material, it is important to use the correct technique. The applicator needs to power wash the roof surface to ensure it is completely clean. Then, all existing flashings must be checked to ensure they are watertight. If not, flashing tape should be applied and coated with the same metal roof coatings to be used on the rest of the project. All fasteners that are loose or backed out should be replaced with an oversized fastener, and then all fasteners should be spot coated with the coating of choice.
Once these steps have been followed and the roof surface has dried, the applicator should apply a base coat of the metal roof coating at least 10 mils thick. Once that coat is dried, a second 10 mil coat should be applied. There should be no traffic on the roof for 24 hours and voila, the metal roof coating has created a 100 leak-free surface.
If you have a metal roof and are interested in coating it, give us a call and see if one of our silicone metal roof coatings is the right material for the job! You can also view our design specifications and recommendations here.