Up on the Rooftop
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Up on the Rooftop

The next time you walk outside, take a moment to gaze up at your roof. What do you see? Do you see even shingles that are all laying flat? Or do you see shingles that are starting to curl and that are covered in moss? You can tell a lot about the condition of your roof just by looking at it. If you are at all concerned about the state of your roof, then your first call should be to a roofing contractor. They can evaluate the situation and recommend repairs or replacement as needed. Learn more about roofing and roofing contractors here on this website.

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Up on the Rooftop

Overview Of Roof Coatings Vs. Paints

Lori Silva

Many property owners confuse metal roof coating with paint, but the two are markedly different. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right treatment for your roof.

Coatings Strengths

Roof coatings will benefit your roof more than paintings. Below are the major areas in which coatings excel.

Sunlight Protection

Weather elements, especially heat from the sun, have a major effect on roof durability. Below are several ways sunlight on the roof affects your house:

  • The heat from the sun heats the roof surface, causing material deterioration.
  • Sunlight changes the chemical composition of the roof color, causing it to fade.
  • Sunlight causes temperature fluctuation that causes expansion and contraction of roofing materials, leading to thermal shock.
  • The heat from the sun penetrates the roof and heats your house's interior, leading to cooling and energy inefficiency.

Roof coatings prevent these damages in different ways. For example, light-colored coatings reflect sunlight and minimize roof temperature increases and heat penetration into the house. In addition, roof coatings have chemical treatments to guard against UV (ultraviolet) damage from the sun.

The only benefit you can get from light roof paint is sunlight reflection. Thus, coatings offer superior protection from sunlight than paint.

Waterproofing

Roof leaks are some of the most common forms of roof damage. When water penetrates the roof, it affects the roofing materials and can affect other parts of the house and its contents. Again, roof coatings offer superior waterproofing than paint.

For one, roof coatings create a thicker layer of roof protection than paint. The thick layer prevents water penetration. Secondly, coatings expand and contract with temperature change without breaking apart; most paints will crack and allow water to pass through quickly.

Durability

Lastly, roof coatings are more durable than paintings. As mentioned above, coatings expand and contract without much deterioration, unlike paints. Thus, you have to repaint the roof more frequently than you have to recoat it.

Paint Strength

Roof coating superiority over painting means the former requires significantly more investment than painting. Thus, the low cost of purchase and application is probably the only area in which painting is better than coating. In fact, you can paint the roof as a DIY, whereas coating the roof should always be a professional's job.

Hopefully, you have the right treatment and can enjoy a durable and beautiful roof. For more information on roof coatings and paints, contact a roofing service near you.


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