Homeowners nowadays can choose from a wide variety of roof coatings and paints for their homes. Selecting a coating depends on a variety of factors including the material used, style and pitch of the roof.

Which one should you choose if you have an option? The information we provided below should help in your selection.

Acrylic Coatings

These are made of different kinds of acrylic polymer and manufactured to increase the durability of the coating and therefore extend its life. While different colors are available, they come mostly in white because of its reflective quality. Most people prefer acrylic coatings because of their durability and low price.

Proper application of acrylic coatings require at least two coats and may be rolled or sprayed. For best results, the second coating is applied perpendicular to the first. A recoating is also recommended within 2 to 3 years from application.

Asphalt Coatings

Another name for this type of coating is cutback coating. The asphalt component, which is solid at room temperature, is liquefied or “cut back” with the use of a solvent. The process makes it easier to apply the coating on the roof’s surface. Asphalt coatings are sold either in black color or reflective coating of aluminum-finish. Users are advised to observe caution because asphalt coatings usually contain asbestos.

Asphalt Emulsions

These contain different types of organic and inorganic fibers and other fillers that strengthens the coating. The primary component are asphalt particles diffused in water. Clay is used as the bonding element. Asphalt emulsions generally come in brown and black colors although reflective versions are available when titanium or aluminum are added to the mix.

People who prefer asphalt emulsions point to its easy application as a major factor. Applying the coating requires very minimal material and may be accomplished with the use of push broom.

Silicone Coatings

This type of coating is a favorite among environmentalists because it is biodegradable. Silicon coatings are created using solvents and catalyst added to a silicone base, a natural mineral. You can apply the coating using either a roller or spray gun. What make silicon coating stand out from the other types of coatings are its resistance to water ponding for long periods of time and its ability to adhere to different substrates even without the application of a primer. These two qualities of silicone coating make it the best type of coating since they produce both cost-effectiveness and quality.

Studies have shown positive benefits of natural daylight on human physiology and psychology. Employees are shown to be more productive when exposed to daylight. The penetration of daylight into buildings are facilitated by the installation of skylights on the Seattle roofing.

The natural lighting from the sun also creates an energy-efficient building that ultimately results to lower power bills. Because of these direct benefits from skylights in Seattle roofing, more contractors are placing emphasis on this very-useful feature of a building. With the popularity of skylights come the need for information on the performance of different glazing options for skylights.

The materials used for skylights vary and largely depend on the needs of the owner. Some require a clear view outside through skylights while others prefer the entry of more natural illumination inside. Whatever your needs are, an understanding of the different materials or glazing options for skylights is helpful. Some of the more common types of glazing materials for skylights used today are the following:

Glass

A common material used for skylights. Glass is scratch-resistant, durable and lasts long. Different kinds of glass provide various benefits such as energy efficiency. For instance, tempered glass is used for insulating glass units to provide a sealed and moisture-free glaze. A coated laminated glass is ideal for those who prefer diffuse light.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is translucent and available as flat, domed, monolithic or other profiles such as two panels with air in-between for insulation. While the material per se is not durable, it can be attached or bonded to I-beams to create translucent structural panels that have high insulation properties and come in a variety of colors. Translucent fiberglass panels are lightweight but impact-resistant and shatterproof. They are strong against ultraviolet radiation and weather-resistant.

Polycarbonate

Some of the interesting qualities of polycarbonate are its durability, impact-resistance and easy-to-cut design. They are produced as multi-wall sheets or monolithic sheets. The latter, filled with aerogel known as “frozen smoke,” can be cut to suit the skylight design and are lightweight. It greatly minimizes noise and diffuses light to reduce if not eliminate glares and hot spots.

Acrylic Plastic

This material is the most formable among skylight materials and is widely-used for standard skylights. Acrylic plastics come in many forms and standards – some are transparent to ultraviolet rays and, therefore, weather well while others are manufactured to be durable and impact resistant. Acrylic sheets are available as transparent or translucent types.

Acrylic is widely-used in the roofing industry today. In the 1970s, latex paint accounted for 30% to 35% of all paint sales. Today latex paint represents 80% of all coatings sold. There are concrete reasons why people prefer this type of coating to other paints. Among these are:

Desirable Qualities of Acrylic

• It is easy to apply because it flows off through the brush or roller unlike oil-based paints that are sticky.
• It emits practically no odor.
• It can also be painted over a damp surface and preferred by people living in damp places.
• Unlike oil-based paints, latex allows moisture to escape, therefore, eliminating the common problem of peeling and cracking associated with oil-based coatings when moisture escapes or attempts to escape from the surface.

Other positive qualities of acrylic coating includes:

• It is usually white in color and possesses reflective properties.
• It costs less than solvent-based paints.
• Acrylic latex paint has less tendency to fade or become yellowish compared to oil-based paint. The latter loses part of its color from chalking, which is not present with acrylic paints.
• Latex paint retains flexibility through time.
• Acrylic is preferred as coating for plaster and cement because it is not sensitive to alkali.
• Less harmful impact on the environment and is not treated as hazardous paint.
• It dries easily and has therefore reduced curing time. You can apply a second coating after only about four hours.

If you live in Atlanta, however, you have to consider other factors before using acrylic paint. Atlanta has a humid climate and abundant rainfall throughout the year. If you plan to apply acrylic paint to your Atlanta roofing, you may face minor issues with your choice of paint. Consider these:

Downsides in Using Acrylic

• The paint could run if it rains before the coating has fully dried. It cannot be applied in the rain or when precipitation is expected.
• It takes a very long time to dry under extremely high relative humidity.
• It cannot be applied in extremely cold weather because water freezes. Thus, acrylic paint cannot be used throughout the year.
• The temperature at night must be considered by the contractor and not only during the daytime. Cold temperature at night might present problems because of freezing of the coating.
• The roof temperature must also be considered and not only ambient temperature.
• It has shorter lifespan because of relatively-poorer bonding with the surface unlike oil-based paints.
• It has less resistance to abrasion.
• It requires more surface preparation and does not stick to dirty or more weathered surfaces unlike oil-based paints.

Different types of coatings are available that you can use for roof painting or restoration. Each type has its own advantages and qualities based on the type of roof that you have and its condition. When choosing a coating, select the right coating based on the roof material and conditions. Using the correct paint will extend the lifespan of your roof and provide you with long-term protection.

Conditions to Select the Right Coating

Below are some of the things that you have to consider when selecting the right type of paint or coating to apply:

• Location
• Slope
• Chemical exposure
• Roof condition
• Slope
• Ponding water
• UV exposure
• Extreme heat exposure

Acrylic Paint

One of the most common roof coatings in the market today is acrylic paint. It was first used in the 1980s over different roof materials. The coating lasts for decades, and many still exist today. Owners and managers now realize the long-term benefits of acrylic elastomeric roof coatings, which significantly prolongs the service life of the roof.

Concrete Benefits in Using Acrylic Roof Paint

These are the distinct benefits from using acrylic coatings:

• They are relatively inexpensive and generally water-based.
• Water-based acrylic paints are environmentally-friendly and easy to apply.
• They are commonly-used for cool roofs since they tend to cool down the roof because of their reflectivity or ability to reflect sunlight back instead of absorbing the heat.
• Cost-effective since they reduce energy costs because of the coating’s cooling effect.
• Prolong the lifespan of your roof because they protect it against Ultraviolet exposure.
• They have elastomeric properties and can withstand fluctuations in temperatures without the coating being negatively affected.
• The coating creates a seamless and uniform surface that retains flexibility even at abnormally low temperatures. It contracts in cold weather and expands in hot weather, thereby protecting the roof from the elements under different weather conditions.
• The adhesive elements allow the acrylic coating to adhere to the roof surface even in unusually windy and wet conditions.
• Its dirt-resistant technology ensures the coating’s preservation of energy-saving and reflective qualities and fresh, clean appearance.
• It does not result to additional weight or dead load to the roof when applied to existing structures.
• It is based on standards specified by laws that require a proper level of quality. The standards were determined based on actual performance data of acrylic roof paints gathered from several manufacturers over different types of roof materials for the past 20 years.