Roof Coating Benefits

A Closer Look at Roof Coating Benefits

Roof coatings can reduce heat energy costs and increase UV and

waterproofing protection for the roof!

Roof coating benefits:

like those from Conklin, in industrial and commercial facilities has expanded in recent years as more maintenance and engineering managers have turned to the products in an effort to protect roofs from the damage caused by the elements, such as ultraviolet radiation. “Cool roofs are one of the quickest and lowest cost ways we can reduce our global carbon emissions and begin the hard work of slowing climate change,” says U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.

Rooftop temperatures can have a decided role in a building’s cooling needs. On a sunny 90-degree day, temperatures on a black roof can reach 180 degrees as the roof surface absorbs solar energy and converts it to heat. Besides driving up peak cooling loads, this heat can cause uneven thermal expansion of the roof surface, bubbles from expanding water vapor, alligatoring, and cracks. The results include roof component separation and leaks.

Roof coating benefits:

like Conklin’s white elastomeric coatings are the least costly and easiest tactic. But how can a manager determine which coating is right for their application? A number of organizations, such as the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program, rate the effectiveness of coatings. Two factors that they measure using standard testing methods are solar reflectance and thermal emittance.

The lower a coating’s solar reflectance index, the hotter the roof coating will get in the sun. The scale is zero to 100 percent, with 100 meaning the coating reflects all the solar energy from the surface. Thermal emittance is a measure of how well a surface radiates energy away from itself compared to surface emittance of a standard black body at the same temperature. The surface of a standard black object emits thermal radiation at a rate of 418 watts per square meter.

Thermal emittance of less than one means the coating tested emits at a lower rate. Acceptable solar reflectance and thermal emittance levels vary depending on several factors, such as surface material and age. Comparison tables are available showing acceptable levels, and CRRC and Energy Star labels identify products that conform to the standards.

Roof coatings lend strength and longevity to roofing materials while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of any structure. Roof coatings act as a barrier between your roof and the elements, and many are approved by ENERGY STAR for their proven advantages.

Let one of our trained contractors help in your roof coating needs!