What types of roof coatings are used in selecting the right roof coating?

The most basic types of roof coats are acrylic, asphalt, polyurethane, and silicone.

Acrylic water-based are suitable for high UV areas where a reflective roof is required. They can be colored, but most are sold in white, tan, and grey. Specialized versions are compatible with specific substrates.

Asphalt coatings are solvent-based ‘cut backs’ or emulsions; they can be either dark or aluminized. These coats are often the most useful when applied to other asphalt substrates.

What is polyurethane?

Polyurethane coatings are solvent-based and in most cases come in two main types: aromatic (which are less UV-stable) and aliphatic (extremely UV-stable). Urethanes have amazing mechanical properties and extreme abrasion resistance.

Selecting the Right Roof Coating | White Roofing Systems

Selecting the Right Roof Coating for Your Building

You’re asking, “How do I pick the right roof coating for my commercial building?”

Picking the right roof coating means looking at what your roof is made of now, what problems it has, and what kind of weather it faces. There’s no single “best” coating; it depends on your specific roof and what you need it to do.

You Have an Aging, Leaking, or High-Energy-Cost Roof

You might be seeing water stains on your ceiling, higher utility bills, or your current roof just looks old and worn out. Maybe there are small cracks, blistering, or areas where the roof membrane is separating. You might also notice your air conditioning running constantly, struggling to keep the building cool.

Ignoring Roof Issues Leads to Bigger Headaches and Costs

When you ignore these signs, small problems turn into big ones fast. A small leak can lead to widespread water damage inside your building, ruining insulation, electrical systems, and even your products or equipment. This means expensive interior repairs and downtime for your business. An old, dark roof also soaks up heat from the sun, making your HVAC system work harder and driving up your energy bills. Eventually, ignoring these issues means you’ll need a full roof replacement, which is far more expensive and disruptive than a coating.

A Conklin Coating System Can Extend Your Roof's Life and Save You Money

A commercial roof coating system — also called a roof restoration system — is designed to protect your existing roof, stop leaks, and improve energy efficiency. Instead of tearing off your old roof, we apply a new, seamless layer directly over it. This saves you money on materials and labor, keeps waste out of landfills, and usually avoids disrupting your business operations.

Here’s how we pick and apply the right system:

Inspection: First, a Conklin-trained contractor will inspect your roof. We look at the type of roof you have (metal, EPDM, TPO, modified bitumen, etc.), check for damage, find all the leaks, and assess the condition of the insulation and deck. This helps us decide if your roof is a good candidate for restoration. If the insulation is soaked or the deck is failing, a coating won’t fix those problems.
Cleaning: We start by thoroughly cleaning your roof surface. This usually involves power washing to remove dirt, debris, and any loose material. A clean surface is critical for the coating to bond properly.
Repair and Preparation: We then repair any existing damage. This might mean fixing punctures, reinforcing seams with fabric and sealant, or replacing small sections of damaged membrane. All fasteners on metal roofs are checked and sealed. For EPDM roofs, we often apply a primer.
Coating Application: Once the roof is clean and repaired, we apply the Conklin coating system. We primarily use acrylic coatings. These are durable, flexible, and reflect a lot of sunlight, which helps cool your building. The coating is applied in multiple layers to create a seamless, waterproof barrier across your entire roof surface.
Final Inspection: After the coating is cured, we do a final inspection to make sure everything is sealed and applied correctly.

Conklin developed some of the first acrylic roof coatings over 40 years ago. Their systems are designed to be reflective, durable, and weather-resistant, which helps protect your investment and lower your energy costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of roofs can be coated?

Conklin coating systems can be applied to many common commercial roof types. This includes metal roofs, modified bitumen, EPDM, TPO, and even existing spray polyurethane foam roofs. During an inspection, we'll confirm if your specific roof type is a good candidate for restoration. You can learn more about specific systems on our roof systems page.

How long do roof coatings last?

A properly installed Conklin roof coating system can add 15 to 20 years or more to the life of your existing roof. The exact lifespan depends on the system chosen, proper maintenance, and environmental factors. Many systems come with a non-prorated warranty, covering materials and labor for the full warranty term.

Do roof coatings really save energy?

Yes. Our white acrylic coatings reflect up to 85% of the sun's UV rays. This significantly reduces the amount of heat absorbed by your roof, which keeps your building cooler inside. This means your air conditioning units don't have to work as hard, leading to noticeable savings on your energy bills.

Ready to see if a roof coating is right for your building? Don't wait until a small leak becomes a major problem. Call us today at (309) 303-3128 or visit our contact page to schedule a free, no-obligation roof inspection.