White Roof Coating

White roof coating is a popular coating for flat roofs to avoid the impact of sunrays. The roof coatings improve the energy efficiency of the roof. California and some other states have mandated white roof coating for all commercial buildings. White roof coating is applied on metal roofs, Built-up-roofing, single-ply, modified bitumen, and so on. White roofing is done on pre-treated and cleaned roofs. White roof coatings may not be suitable for roofs with uneven surfaces and roofs with puddles of water.

Cleaning the surface is a crucial activity for white roofs. First, all the dirt and debris must be swept from the roof. Then, pressure washing the surface with water is required. Next, the surface must be air dried to make the roof ready. A primer may be required depending upon the type of the roof and coating applied. The roof coating must be applied evenly on the surface. If the roof coating is applied on a metal roof, any rust must be cleaned and treated before applying roof coating.

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White roofing coatings can be applied via spray, roller, or brush and can be applied in moderate weather conditions. A roof coating lasts for about ten years and can be re-coated if required. A roof coating can be applied when there is no rain forecast within 24 hours. White roofs reflect harsh sun rays from the roof and can save money on energy bills. White roofs also act as a protective layer against roof leaks, hail, thermal expansion, and contraction. Roof coatings are available with manufacturer warranty and hence must be applied according to the specifications.

White Roofing Advantages

White roofing has numerous advantages such as meeting Energy Star Roofs and cool roofs. White roofing is recommended by industry experts such as the Roof Coatings Manufacturing Association (RCMA) and the Cool Roof Rating Council (CCRC). White roofs are applied with a fluid coating that has elastic properties and the membranes can retain their original condition after contraction in winter and expansion in summer.

Here are some advantages of white roofing.

  • Reducing the surface temperature even after years
  • Reducing the overall inside temperature of a commercial facility
  • Reducing the energy bills of cooling the buildings
  • Reducing the green house effects of the air conditioning units required to cool a building
  • Increasing the overall energy efficiency of the building
  • Reducing the roof leaks by acting as an additional protective layer
  • Helping the building achieve energy credits, certifications, and other rebates
  • Reduces the roofing wastage that mostly end up in a landfill
  • Proves to be an environmentally friendly solution
  • Ease of installation and requires minimal equipment to apply
  • Provides a cool solution in Heat islands where there is minimum vegetation
  • High solar reflectance and minimum absorption at the surface
  • Provides a platform for adding EZ Solar roofs and green roofs

White roofing is also a preferred solution by roofing contractors as it is considerably easy to acquire material, train personnel, and minimum risk during installation. Complaints from customers are minimal during and after application for white roofing. Cleaning up the job site also requires minimum efforts in case of white roofing.

White Roofing Costs

White roofing coating costs about 250 dollars for five gallon. Labor costs and the additional components required vary with your area. Roof coatings such as the Gaco roof coating are recommended to be used along with compliant systems. The other components in the white roofing may include a test kit, concentrated cleaner, primer, liquid roof tape, reinforcing polyester mesh, roof colorant, and so on. The accessories make the cost of roofing same as the other roofing but white roofing offers energy saving benefits.

Cost of white roofing also differs on the roof type applied such as metal roofing, Built-up-roofing, single-ply, and so on. Pitch of the roof also decides the cost and number of coatings required. The cost also depends on the type of the coating such as the silicone roof coating which is suitable for water prone roofs. The cost also depends on the characteristics of the roof coating such as ability to withstand standing water without warping, ability to sustain rainfall within two hours of application, coverage rate per 100 square feet, reflectivity after five years, and so on. White roofing are applied in multiple coats such as the base coat and final coat. Typically 1.5 to 2 gallons of roof coating are required per every 100 square feet of the roof coverage area.

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White roofing costs also depend on the warranty period from the manufacturer. The costs also change by the number of coatings required to apply. For example, acrylic coating requires applying a primer, base coat, second coat, and multiple re-coating every couple of years. All the coatings and required components decide the cost. Also, the energy savings and material must be compared to decide the overall cost of applying white roofing.

White Roofing Limitations

White roofing has major limitations such as the weather in which it is applied. White roofing yields energy saving benefits in hot climates such as California or Texas. However, the white roofing results in huge heating costs in winter in cold climates. The heating costs with white roofing in cold climates are greater when compared to the the energy savings in summer. White roofing may not be suitable to cold temperatures as the material is prone to brittleness in extreme cold weathers.

The application of the white roof coating requires dry temperatures and multiple coatings which may not be suitable to all weather zones. White roofs may be cost effective in warmer temperatures but are not suitable for cold temperatures. The government tax credits and rebates may be appealing but if you are living in extreme cold temperatures, white roofing may not be cost effective.