The skies are not cloudy all day in Phoenix. The Valley of the Sun averages about 300 days of sunshine a year.[1] The incessant heat and solar radiation break down roof systems over time. That’s especially true of commercial roofing in Phoenix which, in most cases, are completely unprotected by shade. Therefore, anti-heat roof coatings are an essential ingredient in most commercial roofs.
At Four Peaks Roofing, our professionals are keenly aware of the value of a cool roof for commercial roofing in Phoenix, not only because it preserves roofing materials, but also because it decreases utility costs. A cost-effective balance is key. If the coating is too strong, too weak, or otherwise inappropriate, the add-on coating is basically a waste of money. This post outlined the available options, so business owners can make the best possible choice.
Why Heat-Reflective Coatings are Good for Commercial Roofing in Phoenix
Heat buildup prevention and reduced cooling costs may be the two most significant benefits of a cool roof coating.
The warm days and cool nights in Phoenix are very hard on commercial roofs. The heat expands roofing materials, and the cool contracts them. This expansion and contraction eventually cracks and splits roof materials over time, compromising the roof’s integrity. Additionally, prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays accelerates material degradation, causing fading, brittleness, and the breakdown of essential components of the roofing material.
Furthermore, a good reflective coating could reduce internal cooling costs as much as 30 percent.[2] So, in many cases, an effective roof coating could essentially pay for itself, both because of the cooling savings and because of the roof’s extended usable life.
Perhaps most importantly, a cool roof coating makes your business part of the solution instead of part of the problem. Since a heat-reflective roof coating is a way to reduce power consumption, it contributes to a greener future.
Commercial Roofing in Phoenix: Available Heat Reflective Coatings
Over the years, researchers and engineers have developed multiple roof coatings which reflect the sun’s heat and help improve energy efficiency in buildings. A coating that reflects heat is commonly referred to as a cool roof coating. These coatings are designed to reflect UV rays, and heat from the sun, away from the roof, keeping a building cooler and more energy efficient.
White Roof Coatings
These coatings are made from special materials like acrylic or silicone compounds that have a high solar reflectance. As a result, they better reflect heat back into the atmosphere, as compared to some other materials. White roof coatings are usually the least expensive surface temperature control coatings.
Elastomeric Roof Coatings
An elastomeric coating is an elastic membrane that bonds to the roofing materials. The membrane easily expands and contracts, carrying the roofing materials along for the ride. Since liquid membranes don’t crack, they protect the roofing materials as well as reflect heat. Depending on the type of elastomeric coating, the elasticity could be up to 800 percent.
- Water Based: These acrylic elastomeric roof coatings are widely used over metal and spray foam roofs by contractors and building owners performing DIY restorations. Since they are best used on roofs that don’t have ponding water, water based elastomeric coatings are widely used in dry climates.
- Solvent Based: Water ponding could be an issue in some places even in overall dry climates. Solvent based coatings have higher ponding water resistance and are more suitable for low slope or flat roofs. Solvent based roof coatings have much better ponding water resistance than acrylic roof coatings.
If water ponding is an issue on a commercial roof, that ponding alone may be indicative of another problem, such as a structural integrity issue.
Mid-priced elastomeric roof coatings are ideal solutions in many cases. We usually recommend Polygrass coatings, such as the PG 700, PolyBrite 70, or PolyBrite 90. These products easily bond to most roofing materials and have very high thermal emittance ratings. More on that below.
Ceramic Roof Coatings
These coatings are basically ceramic-based elastomeric coatings. Ceramic roof coatings are in a different category because they have more insulation properties than either white roof or elastomeric coatings.
All ceramic particles have insulating properties. Ceramic bowls aren’t just popular because of their good look.
Thermal emittance quantifies this effect. Thermal emittance measures how well a surface emits (gives off) the energy it absorbs. According to the California Energy Commission, a rating of 0.75 is a relatively high rating that blocks heat out of an air-conditioned space. Most ceramic roof coatings grade above 0.85.
Aluminum Roof Coatings
This top-of-the-line cool roof coating, which is in effect a metal roof, contains tiny aluminum flakes that create a highly reflective surface. This allows the coating to effectively reduce heat transfer, keeping your property much cooler than a dark-colored, or galvanized, metal. The coating is also long-lasting and has some sealing properties, if hairline cracks or other minor structural issues appear.
Contact us now to begin the cool roof coating installation process for your commercial business.
Sources:
[1] https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/az/phoenix
[2] https://neotechcoatings.com/how-you-can-cut-energy-costs-with-a-new-reflective-cool-roof/
