WHICH APPLICATION METHOD IS BEST FOR YOUR ROOF?
Our coatings can be spray-applied or roll-applied. In fact, they can even be applied with a paint brush in tight spaces requiring extreme precision. So, which method is best, spraying or rolling? (Paint brush application is being excluded because it’s only used in one specific scenario)
Spray-Applying Silicone Roof Coatings
This method requires purchasing special equipment that allows you to spray the material on, and often requires a larger crew (of two-four people). These are two initial constraints that lead some contractors and building owners to roll on the material.
If you can overcome these constraints, spraying silicone coatings provides a more uniform application, meaning your roof will be smoother, look better, and will have no small pond areas created from over or under-applying.
Another benefit of spray-applying is that it is significantly faster than rolling the coating on. A sprayer can cover many more square feet per minute than a roller thanks to its fan tip, and you also waste no time dipping your roller back into the bucket.
Some drawbacks to spraying silicone roof coatings in addition to the original constraints are the training and practice required to install a good roof. No one can pick up a sprayer and put down a good layer of coating on their first pass. It takes practice, experience, and training to build those skills, and those take time and money.
Roll-Applying Silicone Roof Coatings
This method is preferred on smaller jobs, perhaps a small office job or a homeowner embarking on a DIY project. Those two scenarios are perfect for roll-applying because the installer can avoid the cost of equipment, set up time, and practice necessary to spray-apply.
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, this method requires little training and no expensive equipment; you just need a paint roller and a roller cover. On top of the time and money you save, you can roll apply coating in tighter spaces with more versatility. This includes underneath and around roof features, and on roof edges to prevent overspray.
The downsides of rolling on coating are that it takes significantly longer, can become uneven which can lead to ponding water, and is less uniform, which raises concerns with leaks in the low spots.
Conclusion
Both roll and spray-applying silicone roof coatings have their advantages and disadvantages. If you’re a contractor looking to build a business around silicone roof coatings, it would be wise to invest in the equipment initially and the recoup that cost through more efficient installations. However, if this is not a major part of your business or you’re doing one small building or home, roll-applying may be the best choice.
