The Pros and Cons of Silicone Roof Coatings
Silicone roof coatings are perhaps the most popular chemistry type in the roof restoration industry—and for good reason! They make a great solution to restore and protect a wide variety of commercial roofing substrates including metal, modified bitumen, single-ply, EPDM, TPO, built-up roofs, concrete roof decks, and spray polyurethane foam.Get more news about
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When it comes to choosing the best silicone roof coating, there are some important factors to keep in mind. Below, we closely examine some notable silicone roof coating pros and cons.Perhaps the best benefit of a silicone roof coating is its resistance to ponding water. Silicone coatings can endure the damaging effects of ponding water without breaking down because they’re a moisture-cure substance, meaning they will not absorb any additional water after curing.
UV Protection
Silicone roof coatings can reflect up to 80-90% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. This means facility managers and property owners can save thousands of dollars by cutting their facility’s cooling costs during the warm summer months and reducing the HVAC system workloads.
Unlike other chemistries, a silicone coating won’t degrade, chalk, or **** from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. They erode much slower than other elastomeric coatings without becoming too brittle or hard.
Minimizing the sun’s impact on the roof not only helps sustain lower energy costs but also reduces internal building temperatures and prolongs roof life. The pictures above show just how effective a silicone roof coating can be at lowering roof surface temperatures.
Flexibility & Weatherability
Silicone roof coatings create a highly flexible, monolithic, and impermeable membrane capable of withstanding wind-driven sand, oxidation, and extreme temperatures. They are also able to endure the natural expansion and contraction (thermal movement) that occurs in large roof structures.
High Solids Content
Most modern silicone coating formulations have a high-solids content that typically exceeds 90%. This means less coating material is needed during application to achieve the desired dry mil thickness. The ability to apply more coating in a single pass helps save on time and labor costs without compromising workmanship and system integrity.
Environmentally Safe
While all silicone coatings are considered to be environmentally friendly, high-solids formulations, specifically, are the best in this regard. Most of today’s high-solids silicone coatings are solvent-free and contain extremely low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Most also meet and exceed all state-regulated material safety standards, meaning they are safe for use in all 50 states.
Silicone coatings easily attract dirt and other airborne dust particles. Over time, this accumulation of dirt and dust on the roof surface causes the system to slowly lose its reflective properties. This gradual build-up makes the roof more susceptible to heat from the sun, which negatively impacts cooling costs and internal building temperatures.
We recommend pressure washing a silicone coating system 6-12 months after it’s been installed to remove any dirt accumulation. This typically eliminates the problem of dirt accumulation altogether. If asked, most contractors will build this additional step into the scope of work of their proposal.
