What is involved
Roof Coatings & Restoration: what to expect
A restoration coating is a genuine engineering option, not a gimmick. On a roof whose membrane is
weathered but intact and whose insulation is dry, a manufacturer-approved silicone or acrylic system seals the
surface, restores reflectivity and can carry its own warranty, at a fraction of the cost and disruption of a
tear-off, with no landfill.
What has to be true first
- Dry substrate. A moisture survey, infrared, capacitance or core cuts, before anything is
sprayed. Coating over wet insulation traps the moisture and guarantees failure.
- Repairs done. Seams, flashings and penetrations get repaired properly first; coating is not
a leak repair.
- Ponding addressed. Standing water degrades most coatings and voids most coating warranties.
- Clean surface. Texas roofs collect a stubborn film of dust and chalk; adhesion depends on
thorough preparation and, usually, a documented adhesion test.
Why it suits this climate
Reflective coatings reduce the surface temperature of a roof, which slows the thermal cycling that opens seams and
fatigues flashing, the dominant ageing mechanism on Texas low-slope roofs. Reduced heat gain may also help cooling
load, though the actual figure depends on insulation, building use and HVAC efficiency, so treat any specific
percentage a salesperson quotes with scepticism.
The warning sign
If a contractor proposes to coat a leaking roof without surveying for moisture, that is not a restoration, it is a
cover-up. Insist on the survey results in writing.
