The Pros And Cons Of Silicone Commercial Roofing Coatings
When the roof of your business is aging and beginning to fail, there are other solutions besides re-roofing that can add new life to your building. One popular option is a silicone coating. Silicone coatings can be applied to most commercial roofing materials as a wet layer that hardens into a protective surface in order to seal cracks and prevent leaks. But is this method right for your business? Here are a few pros and cons to consider.
PROS
UV Protection
Once a silicone coating is applied, not only will it stop leaks, it can also improve the energy efficiency of your building by reflecting harmful UV rays. Since most coatings are applied in a bright white color, they will effectively reflect heat from the sun. Additionally, silicone is very resilient to those same UV rays that can cause cracking and degradation in other roofing materials.
Cost-Effective
When the choice is putting on a new roof or adding a silicone coating, the cost savings are clear. If the substrate of the roof is stable but beginning to wear, adding a silicone coating rather than a new roof can save thousands of dollars in re-roofing costs. On average, adding a silicone coating costs around $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the size of your roof. Whereas, a replacement roof can cost between $5,000 and $11,500. The savings are clear.
Quick Turnaround
In addition to the costs savings, hiring a commercial roofing service to apply a silicone coating is a much quicker process than re-roofing. Any time your business is affected by maintenance you lose money. Silicone coating can often be installed in less than a day, and it cures naturally on its own.
CONS
Odor
Because of the chemicals in the coating, there will be a strong odor during the application process that cannot be avoided. If this is something that could potentially interrupt your business, it should factor into your decision.
Slippery
If your roof is one that sees a lot of foot traffic and you live in a wet climate, a silicone coating probably isn't right for your business. When wet, the coating can become very slippery. While that helps repel water, it's dangerous for anyone walking on the roof.
Roof Requirements
A silicone coating isn't right for every roof. It's only ideal on roofs that are in fairly good condition with good insulation and with seams that are still intact. If your roof is in bad shape with significant degradation, a silicone coating may not be the best match to restore it.
For more information about commercial roofing, reach out to a local service, such as Greenstreet Contracting & Restoration.