The roof is one of the most essential parts of a building. It is the first line of defense against elements and it heavily influences the efficiency of several other indoor and outdoor systems. As such, it is imperative to keep it in perfect condition. But, while changing the roofing sounds like a good idea (and it is), it is extremely expensive. So, what can you do to make it better? The answer you seek is a roof coating. This investment can give your roof a new look while making it more efficient and for a fraction of the price. However, choosing commercial roof coating in Las Vegas is not a small thing. There are several options, each of which with its own pros and cons. In this article, Peak Services Las Vegas helps you decide which one to pick to make your roof a shield that you deserve.
What is a roof coating and why is it important?
A roof coating is a material you can apply to your roofing to make it stronger and more protective. This way, you are prolonging its lifespan by shielding it from the elements. With it, extreme heat, leaks, and heavy rains won’t stand a chance against your roof.
By choosing commercial roof coating in Las Vegas with care, you’ll ensure your for stands out among others.
Next, roofing materials, like asphalt and gravel, absorb solar energy and transfer it into the building. Thus making your insulation and air conditioning work harder. But, carefully choosing commercial roof coating in Las Vegas helps mitigate this effect. As such, it not only protects your building but your wallet, too.
Lastly, roof coating gives your building an aesthetically pleasing look. Which is a nice bonus, atop all the benefits. After all, in business, that first impression is crucial.
Roof coating demands an expert touch
Applying a protective coating to your roof is NOT a DIY project. It involves a lot of risks, both to your well-being and that of your building. Furthermore, to get the most out of it, the coating must be applied in a certain way. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with sub-par results, leading to diminishing returns. Therefore, finding a good contractor must be the priority.
A roof coating is a job for a trained crew.
However, before roof coating experts can work their magic, you’ll have to ensure your roof is clean. Which, again, carries all the same risks. Fortunately, it is not you who has to deal with them. Today, roof cleaning Las Vegas services are available with a few taps. With them, your safety and that of your roof are all but guaranteed. And, after that, pros can renovate your roof to make it durable, resistant, and energy efficient.
Which types of roof coating are there?
Your roof is the part of the building that gets most exposed to heat and UV rays. And, in Nevada, these can easily reach the extreme. Therefore, when choosing commercial roof coating in Las Vegas, you’ll have to account for this factor. Fortunately, there are four types of coating, so you won’t lack choices.
Acrylic coatings
Acrylic coatings are water-based and, in most cases, they come in white, gray, and tan. This is the best coating for protection from heat and UV rays since it is highly reflective. These types of coatings are often used on a variety of roof membrane surfaces, including single-ply and metal systems.
Acrylic coatings provide the best protection against Nevada’s scorching sun.
Next, acrylic-based coatings also boast good radiation resistance. This trait can make them reduce the surface temperature by as much as 20°F. They can also be applied in layers for added protection.
Another great upside of acrylic coatings is that they are economical and easy to work with. They don’t take long to cure, especially in warm weather. The only problem they have comes with precipitation, which can wash it away, but only if the coating hasn’t settled yet. But, since we’re talking Nevada here, it is not something that should concern you.
Pros of acrylic coating:
- Excellent protection against heat and UV rays;
- Resistant to radiation and hail damage;
- Reduces room temperature;
- Affordable;
- Easy to apply.
Cons of acrylic coating:
- They require high temperatures;
- Weak to water and cold weather;
- Slow curing in high humidity.
Polyurethane coatings
Polyurethane coatings are solvent-based and come in two main types: aromatic and aliphatic. These materials are typically used in a combination of base coat and topcoat and are developed for application over sprayed-in-place foam roofs.
The aliphatic coating is UV stable, stays clean, and holds color longer than other coatings. Still, it is quite frail, and that is why it is often used as a top surface. On the flip side, Aromatic coating is quite durable, but it does not provide good UV resistance.
The biggest upsides of polyurethane are:
- Good mechanical properties;
- High abrasion resistance;
- High tensile strength.
In fact, they have the best impact resistance rating of all other coatings. As such, it is best suited for use in hail-prone regions and for surfaces that see a lot of heavy foot traffic.
Rooftops that see heavy traffic can benefit the most from Polyurethane coating.
However, while PU coatings are durable, even they can’t withstand the punishment of flying pests. A bird infestation can damage it and render it useless. Since Las Vegas is an infestation-prone area, it would be wise to opt for bird control Green Valley NV services, if you decide to go for this coating. That way, your roof can remain durable, clean, and, above all, safe.
Pros of polyurethane coatings:
- Ideal for moderate to heavy pedestrian traffic;
- It can maintain temperatures lower than 30 F;
- Durable and resistant to abrasion.
Cons of polyurethane coatings:
- The price of polyurethane coating is relatively high.
- Less UV resistant than acrylic coatings.
- Moisture may shorten the life span of polyurethane coating.
Silicon coatings
Silicon coatings gained a lot of popularity over the past decade. This is mostly due to their incredible durability. Silicon can withstand long exposure to the elements, and remain unscathed. A trait that few other coatings can brag about.
Second, they provide exceptional UV resistance in extreme temperatures and harsh environments. Like acrylic, silicone roof coatings are great at reflecting the sun’s rays. As such, they can reduce roof temperature by quite a margin, making them one of the top choices for solar arrays. And, as it provides excellent friction, your commercial solar panel cleaning Las Vegas crew will be able to clean it even faster.
Pros of silicon coatings:
- Excellent at reflecting heat and UV rays.
- Water and weather-resistant.
- Great for extreme temperatures.
Cons of silicon coatings:
- High cost and application requirements;
- Loses reflectivity over time;
- Gets dirty quite fast.
Asphalt coatings
Now, don’t be misled by the name – this is not the same asphalt we use for our roads. However, its full name is “Fluid-applied asphaltic rubber membrane system“. So, we’ll just call it “asphalt” for convenience.
Asphalt coating can effectively extend the service life of your roof. It combines the elasticity of rubber with the water and weatherproof characteristics of highly refined emulsified asphalt. The result of this combination is a fully adherent, seamless, rubber membrane that can stretch and recover from damage.
Although they carry a similar name, Asphalt roofs and road coatings aren’t the same.
Asphalt coatings provide excellent adhesion to metal, wood, plastic, and concrete. This makes it the perfect material to combine with others, unlike silicone. Furthermore, it is non-toxic, odorless, and non-flammable, making it safe for the environment.
Lastly, this type of coating can be applied with trowels or squeegees as well as a specially designed dual-component spray rig. Meaning, that there’s no need to use heat, kettles, torches, or open flames during application. Therefore, it poses no health risks to the applicators.
Pros of Asphalt coatings
- Superior elongation and recovery;
- Excellent adhesion;
- Sustainable and eco-friendly;
- Safe application.
Cons of Asphalt coatings
- Reduces concrete’s breathing ability;
- High price.
- No heat and UV rays protection.
Think outside the box when choosing commercial roof coating in Las Vegas
As it stands, with so many options, choosing commercial roof coating in Las Vegas is no easy task. Therefore, it is imperative not to rush. Instead, consider all the angles. All coatings will prolong the lifespan of your roof – no doubt there. However, Polyurethane and Asphalt aren’t suitable for Nevada’s climate. But, that doesn’t mean you should drop them, right off the bat. The great thing about roof coatings is that you can combine them. Do you want longevity and great protection? Asphalt + Acrylic are a great choice, as they bring the best of both worlds. Do you want a solar array? Silicone is the way to go, as it will boost their efficacy and help you save on solar panel cleaning Enterprise NV services. So, do not limit yourself. Rather, consult the pros and let them help you come up with a solution that will serve you well for decades to come.
