WHICH ROOF COATING TYPE IS BEST FOR YOUR RV?
A roof coating is generally agreed upon as a good tool to improve your RV roof. But with so many different options available, which is the best roof coating? We’ll look at three types of roof coatings, and some of the pros and cons of each. Of course, there are more coatings available and more features to consider about even these three coatings. If you’d like a more in-depth analysis, contact us today.
Acrylic RV Roof Coatings
Acrylic coatings are the least expensive roof coating in this list. They provide good performance features such as reflectivity, good leak protection and are UV resistant.
Although RVs typically don’t need to worry about ponding water, should this be a concern for you, Acrylic coatings might not be your best option. If you have a small area of ponding water, the coating will degrade, peel up, and could lead to leaks. There is also the potential to degrade due to weathering. Acrylic coatings often require two coats, a primer, and fabric reinforcement.
Urethane RV Roof Coatings
Higher priced than acrylics, but lower than silicone roof coatings, urethanes provide middle-of-the-road benefits. Urethane RV roof coatings are more durable than both silicone and acrylic coatings and provide good impact resistance. This makes them a good option for high-traffic areas. Urethane coatings resist ponding water better than acrylics, but not as good as silicones. They are UV resistant and reflective.
The major downsides of urethane RV roof coatings is that they have a higher price tag than acrylics and put off a strong odor at installation. This odor can be an issue when installing in public places or occupied buildings. Urethanes also require two coats, which increases labor and time required to complete a project.
Silicone RV Roof Coatings
Finally, we have silicone. The most expensive of these three on a per-gallon basis, silicone also provides the greatest benefits. We say per-gallon basis because silicone only requires one coat and no primer, so it is usually the least expensive choice on a per-project basis. Benefits of silicone include high reflectivity, resistance to weather and wind degradation, and the best resistance to ponding water of all three options. Silicones also stay extremely elastic, so they won’t become hard or brittle.
The primary downside of silicone is that it holds onto dirt and can make your RV roof appear dirty. Of course, a decent rain or hosing down will get the roof looking brand new. Silicone also can only be re-coated with silicone. We don’t view this as a problem, but it is a constraint you should be aware of.
Conclusion
Even on this list with only three types of RV roof coatings lined out, there are many different aspects to consider when choosing your coating. With many other RV roof coatings available and variations in every situation, we recommend you consult an expert before making a decision. Contact us today to learn more.
