Can Silicone Roofing Be Used Over Rolled Roofing

Silicone roof coatings are perhaps the most popular chemistry type in the roof restoration industry—and for good reason! They make a great solution to restore and protect a wide variety of commercial roofing substrates including metal, modified bitumen, single-ply, EPDM, TPO, built-up roofs, concrete roof decks, and spray polyurethane foam.

When it comes to choosing the best silicone roof coating, there are some important factors to keep in mind. Below, we closely examine some notable silicone roof coating pros and cons.

The Advantages

Ponding Water Resistance

Perhaps the best benefit of a silicone roof coating is its resistance to ponding water. Silicone coatings can endure the damaging effects of ponding water without breaking down because they're a moisture-cure substance, meaning they will not absorb any additional water after curing.

UV Protection

Silicone roof coatings can reflect up to 80-90% of the sun's harmful UV rays. This means facility managers and property owners can save thousands of dollars by cutting their facility's cooling costs during the warm summer months and reducing the HVAC system workloads.

Unlike other chemistries, a silicone coating won't degrade, chalk, or crack from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. They erode much slower than other elastomeric coatings without becoming too brittle or hard.

Before silicone coating (134.9°F)

After silicone coating (96.4°F)

Minimizing the sun's impact on the roof not only helps sustain lower energy costs but also reduces internal building temperatures and prolongs roof life. The pictures above show just how effective a silicone roof coating can be at lowering roof surface temperatures.

Flexibility & Weatherability

Silicone roof coatings create a highly flexible, monolithic, and impermeable membrane capable of withstanding wind-driven sand, oxidation, and extreme temperatures. They are also able to endure the natural expansion and contraction (thermal movement) that occurs in large roof structures.

High Solids Content

Most modern silicone coating formulations have a high-solids content that typically exceeds 90%. This means less coating material is needed during application to achieve the desired dry mil thickness. The ability to apply more coating in a single pass helps save on time and labor costs without compromising workmanship and system integrity.

Environmentally Safe

While all silicone coatings are considered to be environmentally friendly, high-solids formulations, specifically, are the best in this regard. Most of today's high-solids silicone coatings are solvent-free and contain extremely low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Most also meet and exceed all state-regulated material safety standards, meaning they are safe for use in all 50 states.

The Disadvantages

Attracts Dirt

Silicone coatings easily attract dirt and other airborne dust particles. Over time, this accumulation of dirt and dust on the roof surface causes the system to slowly lose its reflective properties. This gradual build-up makes the roof more susceptible to heat from the sun, which negatively impacts cooling costs and internal building temperatures.

We recommend pressure washing a silicone coating system 6-12 months after it's been installed to remove any dirt accumulation. This typically eliminates the problem of dirt accumulation altogether. If asked, most contractors will build this additional step into the scope of work of their proposal.

Challenging to Spray

As with any solvent-based coating, silicone roof coatings can be difficult on hydraulic spray equipment. If the application equipment is not properly cleaned and maintained, problems during the installation process are more likely to occur.

The video below shows silicone coating being spray-applied over various types of roofing substrates.

To learn some essential best practices when working with silicone, click here.

Slippery When Wet

Silicone coatings make surfaces very slippery! If foot traffic is expected, we highly recommend using the American WeatherStar Walk-Path System to clearly mark designated pedestrian traffic areas.

Silicone Roof Coatings We Provide

Silicone 410

Silicone 410 is a core component of our Ure-A-Sil and Met-A-Sil Systems. This single-component, solvent-borne, moisture-cure, silicone coating provides roof surfaces with a weather-resistant, highly reflective, and rubber-like membrane capable of withstanding ponding water and providing unsurpassed protection.

Learn more about Silicone 410

High-Solids Silicone 412

High-Solids Silicone 412 is the "high-solids" component for our Ure-A-Sil and Met-A-Sil Systems and is the primary component of our Envir-O-Sil System. It shares most of the same performance characteristics as Silicone 410 but is specifically formulated with a higher solids content. This means it takes less material to achieve the desired dry film thickness.

This product also contains less volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which make it the ideal roof coating for areas regulated by strict environmental standards.

Learn more about High-Solids Silicone 412

Silicone Roof Coating Reviews

It can be challenging to find credible and unbiased reviews on silicone roof coatings. Manufacturers want glowing testimonials regarding their products and American WeatherStar is no exception. While we strongly value the opinions of our contractors, we recognize that they are just that—opinions.

When it comes to getting unbiased information on coating products, there are various third party resources available to help gauge quality and dependability, such as the Cool Roof Rating Council^®, Energy Star^®, Miami-Dade County, etc. These programs provide measurable data on the various physical properties of coating materials and can help determine a coating's suitability in a particular roofing environment.

With this in mind, let's see what some American WeatherStar Platinum Contractors have to say about our silicone roof coating products:

"We've worked with American WeatherStar's silicone products for several years now and they continue to impress. I have yet to find another silicone product that installs and performs as well as theirs."

Lisa Irby | Thomas Roofing | Mobile, Alabama

"I've used both Silicone 410 and High-Solids Silicone 412 for years now. Both are high-quality coatings, and both work as advertised. While I prefer the 412 for its higher solids content, I would most certainly recommend either product to other contractors."

David Anderson | Southeastern Coatings | Lake City, FL

"In my opinion, the silicone roof coatings from American WeatherStar are some of the best in the industry. I've worked with American WeatherStar for over 15 years now and I can honestly say that their coating systems are designed to last."

David Teufel | Diversified Coatings | Fairhope, Alabama

Conclusion

When it comes to the suitability and performance of a roof coating, it's important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the chemistry. Silicone roof coating systems are a highly effective roof restoration solution. There's a number of key factors to consider when it comes to choosing the best silicone roof coating system for a commercial roofing environment.

Want to know if a silicone roofing system is right for your commercial facility? Click here to schedule a free roof inspection with an American WeatherStar Approved Contractor.

Can Silicone Roofing Be Used Over Rolled Roofing

Source: https://www.americanweatherstar.com/pros-and-cons-of-silicone-roof-coatings/

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