Different Types of Commercial Roof Coatings: How to Select the Right One for Your Roof

There are many different types of commercial roof coatings that you can choose right from the construction stage of a building, or at any other moment, to replace an old roof.

Choosing the type of roof cover has to be done by measuring in degrees the angle of roof inclination, because different types of roofs require different coating materials.

Depending on the slope, there are several roof types:

  • Flat (with a slope of less than 5 degrees)
  • Low slope (with less than 15 degrees inclination)
  • Medium slope (with a slope of 15 – 45 degrees)
  • Steep roofs (with more than 45 degrees inclination)

flat roofing install

Most commercial roofs are flat, so we are going to stick to this category. Although there are many metal roofing Denver buildings, flat roofs are often seen on commercial buildings and vary depending on inclination and functionality. Some have a higher angle of inclination than others, and some may have a special complex design. They can also be used for various purposes, depending on the degree of inclination. In summer, for example, they can be set up as terraces, and some owners even choose to turn them into small gardens.

Different types of commercial roof coatings

There are several types of materials used for flat roofs. First of all, they must provide good sealing and protect the building against water infiltrations. Flat roofs were usually covered with a mixture of concrete and gravel. However, this material is not very durable, becomes fragile over time and surface cracks become a common occurrence. In addition to not providing long-term protection against moisture, this solution is not considered a sustainable one; during production and installation, chemicals are released into the atmosphere.

Today, synthetic membranes have gained in popularity, because they are much more efficient and virtually seal the roof.

Types of flat roof coatings

ASPHALT COATINGS

These are bituminous membranes, very commonly used along the years. They are often modified for enhanced performance, by adding aluminum pigments for increasing the solar reflectance index, or fiberglass for reinforcement.

ACRYLIC ELASTOMERS

These are new-generation coatings that provide great results. The pros include their highly reflective surface, intuitive performance (integrating this materials is very simple and can be completed in a quick time frame), dirt resistance as well as cost-efficiency.

POLYUREAS

These products are also new to the market and some are quite similar to acrylic elastomers, when it comes to application rates, while others are thicker and make us think to the next category – urethanes.

URETHANES

These are polymer-modified products. Although, in other applications, they are commonly installed on concrete or wood substrates, when it comes to roofing, they are typically not applied over other products.

SPF roofing

This is an insulation option, consisting in a spray-applied foam that seals any penetration and provides insulating value.

Being a relatively easy and low-cost roof system that offers multiple possibilities for using the available space, the flat roof is a wise choice for a building and, considering the different types of commercial roof coatings available, you can ensure its performance.