Contractors help building owners

Commercial Roof Coatings: Helping Building Owners Save Money

Why do commercial building owners choose roof coatings instead of a full tear-off and replacement? Many commercial building owners choose roof coatings because they offer a way to fix a leaky or aging roof without the cost and disruption of tearing off the old one. It saves money, time, and can improve the building's energy efficiency.

Leaking Roofs and High Energy Bills

You've got leaks. Maybe water spots on the ceiling, drips during heavy rain, or even puddles on the floor. Beyond the obvious water damage, you might also notice your energy bills are higher than they should be, especially in summer. Your HVAC system is working overtime to keep the building cool, but the roof is absorbing too much heat from the sun. Or maybe your roof just looks old and worn out, and you know it's only a matter of time before these problems get worse.

Ignoring Roof Issues Costs More

Ignoring these symptoms is a bad idea. Those leaks won't fix themselves; they'll get worse, leading to damaged insulation, ruined building contents, and even structural problems. Wet insulation loses its R-value, meaning it no longer insulates properly, which drives up your heating and cooling costs even more. If the roof deck gets wet repeatedly, it can rot and fail, turning a simple repair into a much bigger, more expensive job. A full roof replacement means tearing off the old roof, hauling it to a landfill, and then installing a brand-new system. This is disruptive, expensive, and often takes a long time. It also sends a lot of waste to the landfill. If your roof is already showing serious damage like widespread deck rot or completely saturated insulation, restoration might not be an option. That's when a full replacement becomes necessary.

Restoring Your Commercial Roof

Instead of tearing off your old roof, many commercial roofs can be restored with a Conklin roof coating system. This process adds a new, seamless protective layer right over your existing roof, stopping leaks and reflecting sunlight. Here's how we typically do it:

1. Inspection: First, a contractor installing Conklin systems will inspect your roof. We look for wet insulation, soft spots, deck damage, and any areas that need special attention. We check the type of roof you have – it could be metal, EPDM, TPO, modified bitumen, or spray polyurethane foam. This inspection helps us figure out if your roof is a good candidate for restoration and which Conklin system is right for it. Some roofs, especially those with widespread wet insulation or failed decks, are beyond restoration. In those cases, we'll tell you honestly that a full replacement is needed.
2. Repair and Preparation: We repair any damaged areas, fix leaks, and replace wet insulation as needed. The roof surface is then thoroughly cleaned to make sure the new coating sticks properly.
3. Application: We apply one of Conklin's acrylic coating systems. This could be a fabric-reinforced system for older, worn roofs, or a direct coating for newer roofs. The specific system depends on your existing roof type and its condition. We ensure the coating covers the entire roof, creating a seamless membrane. This means no seams for water to get through.
4. Finishing: The final layer is a bright white topcoat. This reflective surface bounces sunlight away from your building, significantly reducing the heat absorbed by your roof.

The result is a watertight, durable, and energy-efficient roof that can last for years, often at a fraction of the cost of a full replacement. We've been helping building owners with commercial roof restoration for a long time, using Conklin products known for their reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of roofs can be coated?

Many common commercial roof types can be restored with coatings, including metal, modified bitumen, built-up roofs (BUR), EPDM, TPO, and spray polyurethane foam. Each type requires specific preparation and a specific Conklin system.

How long do roof coatings last?

Service life depends on the roof's condition, the system used and how well it is maintained; ask the contractor to put the expected service life in writing. Most Conklin systems are eligible for non-prorated warranties covering materials and workmanship.

Will a roof coating really lower my energy bills?

Yes. The white reflective surface of a Conklin coating can significantly reduce the temperature of your roof surface, sometimes by 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit. This means your air conditioning system doesn't have to work as hard, leading to noticeable savings on your cooling costs. If you're dealing with roof leaks or high energy bills, don't wait. A contractor installing Conklin systems can inspect your roof and give you an honest assessment of its condition and whether a roof coating system is a good fit. Call us at (309) 303-3128 or visit our contact page to schedule a free roof inspection.