National Coatings Blog

When considering a roofing system for your commercial roof, longevity, waterproofing, sustainability and durability are all necessary and important factors to research. While aluminum roof paint can provide durability and waterproofing, it poses some issues with sustainability and longevity. 

What is Aluminum Roof Paint

Aluminum roof coatings are solvent based formulated with asphalt, aluminum paste, moisture scavenger, fillers and hydrocarbon solvents. High quality aluminum roof paint options will contain high amounts of aluminum pigment to increase the reflectivity values.  ASTM D2824 –Standard Specification for Aluminum Pigmented Asphalt Roof Coatings provides resources and assistance in selecting an aluminum roof coating that is suitable for roofing applications.

Downside to Aluminum Roof Paint

The greatest issue we have with aluminum roof coatings is its inability to adhere to other waterborne and acrylic roof coating systems in the future. This hinders its ability to be easily sustainable and renewable.  The aluminum flakes in the coating interfere with adhesion, making delamination a potential issue, increasing roof failures from occurring. Solvent-based primers can be used to support adhesion to the aluminum flakes; however, the bond between the coating and primer can still cause issues and many roof coating manufacturers shy away from the idea. We recommend contacting the roof coating manufacturer before construction begins.

Unlike acrylic coatings, aluminum coatings do not provide any waterproofing properties. They do increase reflectivity and UV protection to the roof substrate but do not improve appreciable mil thickness to the roof.  Acrylic roof coatings form a seamless, monolithic membrane when applied, creating a watertight, durable roofing substrate. Lastly, due to aluminum coatings being solvent based, they are typically higher in Volatile Organic Content VOC’s, causing unpleasant and potentially harmful odors during application. (Click here for more information on low VOC Roof Products).  

Roof coatings or roof paints are continually increasing in popularity because of their ability to be restored and renewed the current roof. They provide lower life-cycle costs, fewer disruptions to your business, lower roof maintenance costs and less hassle compared to traditional roof replacement. The sustainability factor for these roof-coating systems offer great over-all value and provides you with excellent longevity to your roof substrate.  

National Coatings offers sustainable roof restoration and roof maintenance systems that provide ultra-high reflectivity, durability, waterproofing, as well as, sustainability. All of our elastomeric roof coatings systems can be renewed, allowing you to extend your roof’s service life indefinitely.

To find out more about renewing your current roofing substrate and avoid a costly and timely roof tear-off, download our Full Line Brochure or check out our individual substrate brochures:

• Single-Ply Brochure
• Metal Brochure
• SPF Brochure
• Asphalt/BUR Brochure
• Silicone Brochure

Apple Computer has been widely acknowledged as a leader and innovator in personal computing.  For all their forward thinking and creativity, they faced a problem all too familiar to other more mundane industries; “How to prolong the life of their degraded roof?”  The aged built up roof (skin) on their 28,500 ft² facility in Cupertino, CA leaked and was in poor condition.  Moreover, its dark color contributed to very high air conditioning bills.  There were also numerous leaks at privacy/wind screen supports and the roof had poor drainage.

Numerous roofing options were considered, each promising to solve their problems, but most at a very high cost.  After a critical review of the roof needs and the options proposed by several contractors, Apple chose the National Coatings Corporation AcryShield® Roof Restoration System. 

Since the roof was in generally sound mechanical condition, the roof restoration system took advantage of the existing life of the roof, allowing the roof to be kept in place and without the need for an expensive tear off.  Leaks around the many screen supports were eliminated using an innovative sprayed polyurethane foam sealing system. Additional slope was created and ponded areas were eliminated using the SPF material.  Then the entire roof was coated with a primer coat of AcryShield acrylic roof coating.  While the coating was still wet, polyester reinforcing mesh scrim was embedded into the coating.  After drying, a second coat of AcryShield roof coating was applied. 

This system created a monolithic seamless fully adhered, reinforced membrane to the existing roof.  Moreover, the white color with its high solar reflectance and emittance dramatically reduced the cooling load on the building, thereby reducing air conditioning energy costs.

To the facility managers at Apple Computer, this alternative accomplished several key things:

• The roof was restored without costly and disruptive tear off.
• The leaks were eliminated and additional slope was created.
• The AcryShield system provided an additional 30 dry mils of coating plus increased tensile strength from the polyester reinforcing scrim.
• The roof is easily maintainable, as it can be recoated as needed, usually every 8-12 years.
• The white color reduced the cooling load and related air conditioning costs on the building
• This option has the lowest life cycle cost of any reroofing option.

Often times your roof gets neglected, as it is unseen. Unless you physically go up onto the roof, you won’t know if there is damage, cracks, splits or blocked drainage unless it begins leaking inside the building. If you wait until this happens, it’s often too late and you are left rushing to choose the fastest roofing option to solve the leaking water as quickly as possible. We want to encourage you to be proactive so you can save yourself the extra cost, time, and stress. Summer is a perfect time to find a roof coating system that fits your roofs particular needs. 

Elastomeric roof coating systems offer multiple advantages over traditional roofing options as they require less time for installation and application, reduced costs, lengthened roof life, and these roof coating systems are sustainable - allowing you to recoat your roof every 10-15 years to avoid a roof tear-off forever. Dry, warm weather is the most ideal weather condition for application of a roof coating system, making the summer an excellent time to restore your roof.

Traditional roofing requires a roof tear-off after two roofs have been installed on a building. This is a building code law that is enforced and must be abided by; however, installing a roof coating system allows you to avoid a roof tear-off (indefinitely, might I add) as these systems do not bare the weight of a traditional roof, allowing roof coating systems to be exempt from this code. When you restore your roof with one of our roofing systems you save yourself time - no business closures, no tear-off stages, and an easy application process. You also save yourself money - there are no landfill fees and shorter construction time because the roof coating system is spray applied directly over your existing roof membrane. Business is conducted as usual so you don't lose production or sales efforts. Another advantage to roof coating systems is they are seamless. When applied, these systems are sprayed onto your rooftop allowing the coating to spread and bond together; filling gaps, seams, joints and cracks, covering necessary areas around pipes, drains and equipment creating a durable, monolithic, custom installed, watertight roofing system particularly created for your individual roof.

For more information on roof coating systems, download our FREE Guide to Roof Coatings and get our Benefits Brochure!