If you've just put up the roof of your dreams or looking to prolong the life of the one you have, roof coatings are hot topics in the market for home improvements today. The rising popularity is due to the growing desire of homeowners to be more eco-friendly while cutting down on energy bills. The typical timeframe for a roof lasts approximately 25 years with no total replacement. However, exposure to harsh weather conditions can cause wear and tear. Here's what you should be aware of before protecting your roof using a coating and whether it's worth the cost.

Sealing? What Does It Mean?

Roof sealants are a part of your roof in order to increase its lifespan. A roof sealant provides an additional layer of protection which can reduce the damage caused by extreme climates and other dangers, such as snow, sun, and ice. The concept is to let your roof coating take the damage and not the roofing's tiles or the shingles.

Roof coatings are particularly beneficial for roofs that hold debris and water, for example, flat roofs. It is also possible to be applied on other roofs with angled edges when they begin to age to guard against long-term damage. Roof sealants make your roof more fireproof and also stop the growth of algae and mold.

The roof sealants, as well as the coatings, have to be applied by skilled professionals who are roof contractors. A novice roofer could create pinhole-sized gaps in the coating, which may, as you might imagine, could cause leaks and other problems. In a nutshell, hiring a reliable roofing contractor is essential.

Types of Roof Coatings

The coating has elastic properties and appears like the thickness of a film. The sealant's flexibility is intended. It allows for extra give to expand and retract when an area can be exposed to severe weather.

The most popular roof coatings are composed of the following substances:

• Polyurethane
• Silicone
• Acrylic
• Liquid rubber

The factors that determine the most suitable roof coating material will depend on the location you reside in and the climate that surrounds it as well as the cost of materials and the quality of the application.

How Much Will It Cost to Seal a Roof?

The cost of applying the roof coating will be contingent upon the dimensions of your roof as well as the material chosen.

On average, homeowners pay approximately $1,000 for a roofing coating. The price varies; however, generally, roof coating costs range between $1.00 and $3.00 for every square foot, excluding labor.

Sealing a Flat Roof

If there is flat roofing on your home, then you already have some knowledge about waterproofing. It is a must. Flat roofs are constructed to look like huge swimming pools that have drainage systems that transport water off the surface and to the ground. Because of this, flat roofs must be completely covered. Even the tiniest of cracks can let water into your underlayment, and then, in the end, it could cause a leak inside your home.

Benefits of Applying Roof Coatings

Simply put, a roof coating can help your roof last for longer. This is because you're choosing to provide an extra layer of protection that can endure the rigors of the elements and the weather. It's a good idea to apply it on shingles or tiles.

Waterproofing

Roof sealants act as an impervious coating on many roof surfaces. Elastomeric (i.e., rubber) and silicone roof sealants provide an insulating seal on your roof. The most effective ones are the breathable ones that let the moisture generated by household activities like showering and cooking to escape your roof. Numerous manufacturers boast that their products will increase the life of your roof by many times or longer.

UV Protection

Being in the sun all day can be a strain on your roof, particularly if you're using asphalt roofing. Ultraviolet rays trigger molecular changes within the shingles, and eventually, this causes curling and degrading. Certain roofing materials have reflective material to reduce this issue. However, another method to deal with it is to use a high-quality roofing coating. Reflective elastomeric roof coatings can protect against the damage caused by UV radiation, as per some roofing experts.