Metal Roof Coating
A metal roof rarely fails across the whole surface. It fails at the seams, the fasteners, and the rust. Coating addresses all three at a fraction of what new panels cost.
Can you coat a rusted metal roof instead of replacing it?
Yes, as long as the panels still have structural integrity. Surface rust is treated with a rust-inhibiting primer, loose or backed-out fasteners are replaced, every seam is reinforced with butyl tape and fabric, and reflective top coats seal the roof into one continuous membrane. Panels rusted through to the point of perforation are replaced first.
Real project photos from Conklin-trained contractors in the White Roofing Systems network. See more completed projects
Signs your metal roof needs coating
- Rust streaking down panels or forming at the panel laps
- Leaks that appear at seams, ridge caps, or around fasteners
- Screws that have backed out, or visibly deteriorated rubber washers
- Faded, chalky paint finish with no reflectivity left
- Interior heat buildup in a metal building during summer
- Oil canning or panel movement that keeps reopening sealed joints
Why patching a metal roof does not hold
Metal panels expand and contract with every temperature swing. A caulk-and-patch repair is rigid, so it cracks at the exact joint it was meant to seal, usually within a season or two.
Meanwhile the fastener holes keep working themselves larger, and rust that started as cosmetic surface staining moves into the panel. Each patch cycle costs money and buys less time than the one before it.
- Caulk cracks as panels move, reopening the leak
- Fastener holes elongate and stop sealing
- Untreated surface rust progresses into the panel
- Replacement panels mean a tear-off over an occupied building
How a metal roof coating system is installed
The roof is pressure washed to remove chalk, dirt, and loose rust. Fasteners are tightened or upsized. Rusted areas get a rust-inhibiting primer. Every seam, ridge, and penetration is reinforced with butyl tape, polyester fabric, and base coat so the detail can flex with the panel instead of cracking.
Two reflective top coats then seal the entire roof into a single flexible membrane. The system moves with the metal, which is why it holds where caulk does not.
- Rust-inhibiting primer stops corrosion from progressing
- Fabric-reinforced seams flex with thermal panel movement
- Reflective white finish cuts interior heat load in metal buildings
- 10 to 20 year non-prorated, renewable warranty
- Typically 50 to 70 percent less than a full panel replacement
Request a Free Roof Inspection
Tell us your building address and roof type. We route your request to the nearest Conklin-trained commercial roofing contractor, usually within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to coat a metal roof?
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How long does metal roof coating last?
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Will coating stop leaks at seams and screws?
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Do you have to remove rust before coating?
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Will a white metal roof coating lower cooling costs?
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No-cost commercial roof inspection
Get a Straight Answer on Your Roof
Call 1-309-303-3128 or request a free inspection. You get photo documentation, a written proposal, and an honest recommendation, even when that recommendation is to wait.
Keep Reading on This Site
Industry Sources
- Metal Construction Association(opens in a new tab)
Metal roof panel and fastener standards.
- Cool Roof Rating Council. Building Owner Resources(opens in a new tab)
How reflective roof surfaces lower cooling load.
- U.S. EPA. Using Cool Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands(opens in a new tab)
Measured surface-temperature and energy impacts.