Why You Should Not Apply Acrylic Coatings to Metal Roofs

Keeping a metal roof in great shape is a top priority for industrial and commercial building owners. You have a lot of expensive equipment and materials to store, and leaks can be devastating.

While preparing for the cold, wet and snowy winter months, many business owners consider getting an acrylic coating for their metal roof. It seems like a win-win solution—you can prevent or stop leaks while preserving your existing roof. Unfortunately, acrylic coatings aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Here are a few major reasons you shouldn’t use acrylic coatings on metal roofing in Springfield, MA.

Why avoid acrylic coating?

There are three important reasons to avoid acrylic coating on metal roofs in Springfield, MA:

1. You’re dependent on the weather: First, successfully applying an acrylic roof coating depends on having the right weather to do it. This means that if your metal roof springs a leak in early January, you won’t be able to fix it with an acrylic coating until the humidity recedes and temperatures are regularly in the 60-65 degree Fahrenheit range. This is because you’re trying to build a waterproof coating—if it’s too cold or wet, the coating can’t dry properly. You must wait until spring or summer to guarantee decent results. For most property owners, that’s simply too long to wait to deal with a leaking roof.
2. It’s not a great value: When you compare acrylic coating prices to other metal roof options, such as a metal overlay system, you’ll quickly find that they’re close in price. However, they’re not close in value. Your acrylic coating may add 15 to 20 years to your roof’s lifespan, but a metal roofing overlay system can add up to four decades.
3. You won’t get new flashing or gaskets: Finally, the key to preventing metal roof leaks is to understand why they leak in the first place. Most leaking metal roofs do so because the flashing and gaskets need to be replaced. These things are not included with an acrylic coating. When they wear out, they let water in. Getting a metal overlay with new flashing and gaskets ensures you’ll prevent leaks where they’re most likely to happen.

Top alternative to acrylic coating

Instead of replacing your entire metal roof or opting for substandard acrylic coating, a metal roof overlay is a far better option. While acrylic coatings are akin to a thick paint, a metal overlay is almost like getting a whole new roof on top of your existing roof. Additionally, metal overlays come with additional insulation, so you’ll get increased R-value along with leak protection.

Metal roof overlays can be installed in cold weather just as easily as warm weather. Because they’re at a similar price point to acrylic coating and last for up to 40 years, overlays are a much better deal.

When you’re looking for metal roofing services for your industrial or commercial business in Springfield, MA, let the team at R & H Roofing LLP help. Call today to get started.

Categorised in: Metal Roofing

This post was written by Writer