The roof of a building is as crucial as the foundation. In addition, it must be robust enough to withstand years of exposure to UV rays, extreme temperature fluctuations, harsh elements and weather conditions, and more, and it must do so with minimal maintenance. Given this, it only makes sense that roofs degrade over time, and will eventually need repairs. When that happens, elastomeric roof coatings can be used to repair the damage done. What are these coatings, and what should you know about them?

What Are Elastomeric Roof Coatings?

These types of coatings are made from materials with elastic properties – thus, the name. They are flexible and stretchy, capable of being applied to almost any substrate. With that being said, there are several different types on the market. One is a urethane based formulation, while another is acrylic based. However, perhaps the best performing material on the market today is made with EPDM rubber. This is a synthetic rubber formulation that offers excellent UV resistance, is completely immune to dramatic temperature fluctuations, and can be applied in at any temperature, hot or cold.

The Advantages of Elastomeric Roof Coatings

You’ll find a number of advantages with these types of coatings. One of those is as mentioned – they can be applied in any temperature, which means repairs can be conducted at any time of year, whether the damage occurs in the heat of summer, or the cold of winter. That helps to limit the potential for additional leak-related damage to the interior of the structure. Another advantage is that these coatings are highly resistant to mold and mildew, making them excellent choices for use in areas where high humidity may make mold/mildew growth problematic.

What Can Elastomeric Roof Coatings Be Used For?

There are numerous potential uses for elastomeric roof coatings, ranging from repairs to resurfacing to replacing an existing roof. We’ll explore these uses below:

Repairs – One of the most interesting and beneficial uses for elastomeric roof coatings is to repair damage done to the roof. Due to their unique adhesion capabilities, these coatings can be used to repair damage to any other type of roofing system, including EPDM rubber, metal, asphalt shingles, and more. However, some surface preparation may be necessary for non-rubberized roof types to ensure that the coating will adhere properly. In most cases, this requires little more than applying a coat of primer before applying the coating.

Resurfacing – Aging roofs, particularly aging rubber roofs, and other flat roofing system types, need to be maintained over time. Resurfacing is one means of doing this. As they age, these roofing systems can become dry and brittle due to exposure to UV rays. By applying a thin coat just 35 mils thick over the top, elastomeric roof coatings can provide years more life out of the roof. It takes very little time to apply these coatings, and it can be done with simple, readily available hand tools, or with a sprayer.

Replacement – More and more, old roofs are being removed and replaced with elastomeric roof coatings. EPDM rubber roofs offer numerous benefits over most traditional roofing systems, including asphalt shingle, bitumen, tar and gravel, sheet metal, and more. The material is highly resistant to damage, there are no seams to leak, and a rubber roof can last 50 years or more with the right installation and a little bit of TLC over its lifetime.

In the end, elastomeric roof coatings are versatile solutions to roofing challenges large and small. Whether you need to repair, refresh, or replace your roof, using such a coating is a smart decision.

When it comes to your business, you need to make smart, informed decisions that maximize the return on your investment while protecting your bottom line. That applies to everything from the people you hire to the construction materials used to build the brick-and-mortar location that houses your company. When it comes to your business’ roof, you have a number of options. EDPM roofing is one of those, but is it the right choice for you?

The Lifespan You Need

Perhaps the single most important reason that you should consider EPDM roofing for your business is that it delivers an immense lifespan for less than you would spend on most other types of roofing. Where bitumen, and tar and gravel systems might last 10 years, and asphalt shingles may begin to fail around 25 years of age, a rubber roof can last 50 years or even longer when it is properly installed and maintained over time. That offers a significant return on your initial investment and protects your profitability.

Cost-Effective

EPDM roofing is very cost-effective. It costs less per square foot than most other roofing options on the market, and yet lasts longer than most other materials, too. And, while some maintenance is necessary, it’s low cost and not particularly involved. Over the lifetime of your roof, it’s possible that EPDM will save you tens of thousands of dollars.

Excellent Temperature Performance

The roof of your business experiences dramatic temperature fluctuations on a day to day basis, as well as season to season. This cycle of heating and cooling will damage, and even destroy most roofing materials over time. Not so with EPDM. With that being said, it is not completely impervious to the elements. Long-term exposure to the sun will eventually dry it out and it will start to become brittle, but regular maintenance will prevent this from being an issue.

Reduced Need for Maintenance

As mentioned, maintenance of an EPDM roof will be necessary, but it is not particularly involved. This material is highly resistant to most threats that would damage or destroy traditional roofing materials. It resists punctures, tearing, abrasions, and temperature fluctuations very well. An annual inspection is needed to make sure there is no damage that must be repaired, and it may be necessary to recoat areas that are damaged over time, but this costs just pennies on the dollar when compared to the maintenance of a regular commercial roof.

It’s a Green Solution

Finally, an EPDM roof is a green roof – not in the sense that it must be used to grow plants (although it is frequently used under rooftop gardens and other green areas), but in the sense that it includes a significant percentage of recycled materials. This prevents additional landfill waste and related pollution.

EPDM also has no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are known to cause health problems in many people. It’s also an ideal solution for underlayment beneath solar panels, ensuring a good, tight fit and no leaks. All of those benefits help your business operate greener, and save money, but they can also be important points for proving corporate responsibility to your clients or customers.

In the end, EPDM roofing is an excellent solution for virtually all businesses. Whether you have a flat roof or a pitched roof, there is an EPDM thickness that’s perfect for your needs. It offers reduced costs in range of ways, from installation time to maintenance costs, is greener than many other roofing options, and will stand the test of time for 50 years or even longer.

EPDM roofing is not new. In fact, it has been around since the 1960s. Over the years, it has evolved and improved in many ways. The seams have become improved to ensure they remain strong. They have improved resistance to puncturing, improvements to the flashing details, and overall improvement to their durability. One of the biggest improvements to this type of roofing was the creation of Liquid Rubber. Rather than being applied in sheets, this type of roofing material is applied in liquid forms, and it will then cure.

Why Is Liquid EPDM Roofing a Good Option?

You need to keep your roof in great shape, and you need to make sure it is protected from leaks. If there were a leak in your building, it could cause damage to not only the structure of the roof and the building, but also to items that you have stored there. In a business, a leak could destroy some or all of your inventory if you are not careful. Even if you have plenty of insurance, this is not something that you want your business to have to endure.

The EPDM roofing can provide your building with the added protection that it needs to deal with rain, and even water that ponds. The coating tends to be easy to apply, and when you use the liquid version, you can even do it all on your own. This is much easier than trying to install all of the membranes that would typically be needed. It goes on easy, much like paint, and it will cure quickly, providing you with the protection and peace of mind you need.

The liquid EPDM roof tends to be a very cost-effective solution, as well. When you apply the roof coating on your own rather than hiring someone to do it for you, the cost is even less. However, these are not the only benefits that the roofing can provide.

EPDM Roofing Is Durable and Environmentally Friendly

One of the other nice benefits of this type of roofing is the fact that it is so environmentally friendly. It is extremely durable, and when the roof is well-maintained, it can last for decades without any trouble. This means you will not have to keep replacing tiles, shingles, or pieces of asphalt. With a single coat and some touch ups occasionally, along with other roof maintenance, it is going to last for quite a while. This is one of the aspects that helps to make this an environmentally friendly option for you.

In addition, you will find that there are other ways that the EPDM roofing can be environmentally friendly and even help you to save on your energy costs. It really is a fantastic choice.

The liquid roofing material is available in two colors. You can choose white if you live in an area where it is often hot. The white of the roof will reflect the sun and keep the building cooler, which is going to reduce the costs of cooling the building. Those who are in colder climates can use the black roofing product, which can absorb heat and keep the building warmer, reducing the cost of heating.

If you are considering any type of improved roofing for your building, you will want to consider all of the benefits that you can receive with EPDM roofing. It is a quality option that can provide you with a great roof that can stand up to the rain and other types of damage that might cause issues for you.

Decades of experience in roofing materials has shown that liquid rubber coatings are an ideal choice for flat buildings, or buildings with very low-pitched roofs. But do you know why? Liquid rubber like EPDM is a great way to add protection and weatherproofing to any roof covering, but the benefits extend far beyond weather proofing. The advantages of this material include:

• Flexibility: As temperature changes it causes buildings to contract and expand, roof materials can crack over time. But by providing a flexible surface that contracts and expands without cracking, liquid rubber coating protects your roof from this problem.
• Weather, chemical, and impact resistance: This type of coating is designed to withstand the most common environmental factors that cause damage in roof materials. UV rays, water, hail, and pollution are all things that a rubber coating can protect your roof from.
• Non-slip surface: If you have rooftop work that needs doing, such as duct repair, a liquid rubber coating provides grip to the surface to reduce injuries and accidents.
• Insulation: Adding any sort of layers to your roof is just more insulation, which keeps out cold air and hot air. That means that you can lower your heating and cooling bills. This coating also helps reduce cooling bills in the hot months because it reflects UV rays away from the building.
• Sound Proofing: If the roof of your building is used for events, or you frequently have work going on on the roof, you can add a layer of sound proofing to keep your upper floor rooms a bit quieter.
• Non-conducive: Rubber coatings are non-conducive, which means that they do not conduct electricity. That means you are safe from electrical storms and you can better prevent work accidents.
• Fire proof: Rubber coatings are fire resistant, and if they do catch fire, they burn incredibly slowly. This gives you more time to protect your building and everything inside should there be a building fire.
• Non-permeable: Anything that lands on your roof, from water to dirt to oil, and any other element that may end up on the roof, will be prevented from seeping through to the roof itself. This protects your building and stops unsightly stains.

Easy and Affordable Liquid Rubber Coating

Beyond the many benefits listed above, liquid rubber coatings are often one of the most affordable options for protecting the roof of a large commercial or residential building. This covering is easy to apply, which means the labor costs are also low, and because this type of coating requires very little maintenance, you won’t have to worry about spending more money in the future. This coating simply requires an installer to spray the material onto the roof, and then leave it to dry. That’s it!

That means that you can get your roof protected very quickly, knocking a big to-do off your list, and without blowing your budget or sacrificing quality. There is no reason to forgo a liquid rubber coating for any roof you want to protect.