COST EFFECTIVE
A roof restoration can cost significantly less than a re-roof
PROVEN RESULTS
Research indicates that restorations are becoming more popular because of their proven results
SUSTAINABILITY
Most roof restorations will have a minimal impact on the environment and avoid landfill waste
ENERGY EFFICIENT
Restoring a roof with highly reflective energy efficient coating will reduce consumption by keeping the building cooler
WHAT IS A SILICONE ROOF RESTORATION?
A silicone roof coating restoration is a coating that can be applied over most roof surfaces. Unlike acrylic coatings, silicone is made of polymers and doesn’t contain water. Silicone is a moisture-cured coating designed to reflect the heat of the sun and UV rays as well as protect many types of roofs. While suitable for use in all climates, the high silicone chemistry is especially suited for extreme tropical environments like Florida, which are exposed to some of the hottest and wettest weather with intense UV exposure in the country. A silicone roof coating is designed to maintain maximum reflectivity of heat and UV rays as it ages. Its moisture curing ability creates an aggressive chemical bond with the roof, which provides resistance to ponding water.
Ponding water often occurs on flat roof systems as a result of rainfall or runoff from equipment. Ponding water for short durations is unavoidable and considered acceptable by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and many roofing manufacturers. However, ponding water in excess of 48 hours can be detrimental to a roof. In fact, most roofing problems arise from poor water drainage and ponding water on the roof. It can significantly impact the longevity of the best roofing systems. Thus, a silicone roof coating restoration is essential in solving water ponding on roofs.
RESTORE VS REPLACE
We provide our customers with an unbiased opinion and the option to look at multiple solutions, not just silicone coatings, so together we can make the best choice based on their needs. The next step is to get a moisture scan; we recommend an independent third party to test the roof to see if there is any moisture inside. This step is particularly crucial and sometimes overlooked. However, the results of the scan will provide us with a map of the roof and will indicate whether it can be restored with a silicone roof coating. If the existing roofing system has less than 25 percent moisture inside, a silicone roof coating restoration can be done. Otherwise, if more than 25 percent of the roof shows moisture, the roof will require full replacement. For a successful silicone roof coating restoration, no more than 25 percent of the roof can have moisture.
RESTORING THE ROOF
Once the moisture survey has been done and the moisture areas are identified, then we can make the necessary repairs to remove the wet areas as indicated on the survey, replace it with new roofing material, and proceed with cleaning and power washing the roof. Once cleaned, the roof is ready for the silicone restoration, which is usually applied in coats (similar to painting). The silicone manufacturer and warranty type will determine if primer is needed and how many coats will be applied to achieve the necessary thickness.
WARRANTIES
As previously noted, warranties will vary greatly based on the manufacturer and product chosen. Warranties range from 10 to 15 years depending on thickness, primer, etc. The best warranties are the ones that are “system warranties”, which includes a labor and material warranty backed by the manufacturer.
CONCLUSION
The main take away is that regardless of your budget, you have options and a silicone roof coating restoration may prove valuable. As mentioned above, not all roofs qualify and there are things to consider such as moisture saturation. In the end, you have important decisions to make and knowing what’s available is half the battle, and we’re here to help.
