THE SUN WILL BREAK DOWN SILICONE COATINGS
Your roof is constantly exposed to the sun. Many roofing systems, especially coatings, break down and begin to fail under this extreme heat. However, silicone coatings do not break down due to UV exposure. Despite this being one of the most common objections we hear when discussing silicone, it’s not true. Thanks to its chemical formulation, silicone is actually extremely UV stable. What makes silicone UV stable and why do so many people think that it isn’t?
Silicone’s Reflectivity Help it Fight the Sun
Silicone is the most reflective roof coating on the market. 88-92% of UV rays are immediately reflected off the surface of the coating and back into the atmosphere. What does this mean for the coating? It means that it’s not absorbing those UV rays and therefore isn’t broken down by them. While other roofing systems, and roof coatings specifically, absorb UV rays, silicone reflects them. This allows silicone to last longer despite exposure to the sun. It isn’t deteriorating because it isn’t facing the full impact of the sun.
Chemical Formulation Provide Stability
Ignoring reflectivity, silicone also has a chemical formulation that fights deterioration. The chemicals that make up silicone form a very strong, intertwined bond. This “web” makes itself stronger through different anchor points, and the bonds themselves are very strong. This chemical formulation fights deterioration of any kind, not just UV.
Past Experiences with Other Coatings Distort Opinions
Many of those who believe that the sun deteriorates silicone have worked with other roof coatings in the past. If you have experience with acrylic coatings, it is somewhat reasonable to assume that silicone coatings would also deteriorate under the sun. However, that’s just not true. Silicone coatings are unlike any other roof coating. Their chemical formulation makes them stable, and their reflectivity protects them from the sun.
Conclusion
Silicone roof coatings resist UV deterioration better than any other roof coating available. Despite what you may have heard from those who have worked with other coatings or from a manufacturer of a different type of coating, silicone coatings aren’t damaged by the sun like other coatings. There is minimal UV deterioration which allows the coatings to last longer than any others.
