Commercial Cool Roof Coatings

Commercial Cool Roof Coatings

What are commercial cool roof coatings? Commercial cool roof coatings are reflective liquid systems applied to existing commercial roofs. They bounce sunlight away from the building, which lowers the roof's surface temperature and the temperature inside the building. This helps save on cooling costs and extends the life of the roof.

Symptom

You might notice that your commercial building's air conditioning runs constantly, struggling to keep up with the heat, especially during warm months. Your energy bills for cooling are high. Or, you might see your roof membrane cracking, shrinking, or getting brittle from years of sun exposure. Puddles might form on your flat roof after rain, or rust could be showing up on your metal roof panels.

Problem

When a dark or traditional roof absorbs the sun's heat, it transfers that heat into your building. This makes your HVAC system work harder, using more energy and costing you more money. This constant heat also cooks the roof membrane, causing it to break down faster. Materials like TPO, EPDM, PVC, modified bitumen, and metal roofs all suffer from UV degradation and thermal shock (heating up and cooling down). If left alone, this leads to leaks, premature roof failure, and the need for a costly, disruptive tear-off and replacement.

Solution

A commercial cool roof coating system stops these problems. Our contractors installing Conklin systems apply a white, reflective acrylic coating directly over your existing roof. This liquid-applied system forms a seamless, waterproof barrier that protects your roof from UV rays and weather. Here's how we do it: 1. **Inspection and Repair:** First, a contractor will thoroughly inspect your roof. We find and fix all leaks, damaged seams, and deteriorated areas. Any wet insulation must be removed and replaced. If the roof deck is failing or the roof is too far gone with widespread wet insulation, a coating may not be the right solution, and we'll tell you upfront. 2. **Cleaning:** The roof surface is power-washed to remove dirt, debris, and any loose materials. This ensures the coating sticks properly. 3. **Priming (if needed):** Depending on the roof type and its condition, a primer might be applied to prepare the surface for the coating. 4. **Seam Reinforcement:** We pay close attention to seams, fasteners, and penetrations (like pipes and vents). These areas are often reinforced with fabric and extra coating to prevent future leaks. 5. **Coating Application:** Finally, one or more layers of the reflective acrylic coating are sprayed or rolled onto the entire roof surface. This creates a bright white, monolithic (seamless) membrane. The new surface reflects sunlight, which keeps your building cooler. This extends the life of your existing roof for many years, often for decades, for a fraction of the cost of replacing it. It also reduces your energy consumption and lowers your carbon footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a cool roof coating be applied to any commercial roof?

No, not all roofs are good candidates. The best way to know is to have a contractor installing Conklin systems inspect your roof. They will check the condition of your existing roof, the deck, and the insulation to see if a coating system is the right fit. Generally, metal, EPDM, TPO, modified bitumen, and built-up roofs are good candidates if they are structurally sound and don't have widespread wet insulation.

How much energy can I save with a cool roof coating?

Energy savings vary depending on your building's location, insulation, and current HVAC system. However, by reflecting sunlight and lowering the roof's surface temperature, a cool roof coating significantly reduces the amount of heat absorbed by your building. This means your air conditioning system doesn't have to work as hard, leading to noticeable reductions in cooling costs.

How long does a cool roof coating last?

Our Conklin acrylic coating systems are designed for durability. With proper installation and occasional maintenance, they can add 15 to 20 years or more to the life of your commercial roof. Warranty terms depend on the system, the roof's condition and manufacturer approval; ask the contractor to put them in writing before work starts. Is your commercial roof showing its age or costing you too much in energy bills? Consider a reflective cool roof coating system. White Roofing Systems connects you with contractors installing Conklin systems across the U.S. who specialize in these restorations. To learn more or to schedule an on-site roof inspection, call us at (309) 303-3128 or visit our contact page.