As a business owner, you call the shots. Before deciding, you often research solutions to know what is possible and then decide by balancing quality required, your timeline, and how much you are prepared to pay for the solution.
Choosing a roofing system is no different.
- Quality – what does the roof need to do (in addition to not leaking)? Reflect UV rays? Insulate?
- Time – how quickly does the roof need to be installed (both immediacy–in the next week or in the next year–and days for installation–one week to install or 2 days to install)?
- Cost – how much money can you spend on your roof or is worth spending on your roof (often depends on what is stored or done within the building)?
Metal and rubber roofs are the most common roofing systems available. Both are very durable, but, when they spring a leak or deteriorate due to weather or UV rays, they must be expensively replaced, which can also shut your business down during construction.
This is where spray-on roofing solutions present a compelling alternative. Rather than facing the high costs and disruption of complete roof replacement, spray-on coatings offer a more strategic approach to addressing your roofing challenges while still offering a high quality & trusted solution that is still quick and cost-effective.
The Strategic Advantage of Spray-On Coatings
Spray-on coatings offer a way to extend roof life, improve energy efficiency, and address leaks or other roof issues without the expense and disruption of a complete roof replacement. Spray-on roof coatings are waterproof, weather resistant, and resistant to UV rays.
Spray-on coatings are typically combined with either fabric or spray foam for a full spray-on roof system. Fabric is a strong material laid over the roof or over seams and the coatings are brushed into it to seal it to the roof and waterproof the fabric. Spray foam involves applying 1-1/2” of durable foam sprayed onto a roof for additional strength, protection, and insulation.
While spray-on roofing systems may not make sense in every scenario, there are specific circumstances and priorities where coatings offer compelling advantages over traditional roofing solutions. Let’s examine each of these scenarios so you can determine if spray-on coatings align with your specific situation.
Aging Roofs (with Structural Integrity)
Aging roof
As the roof wears out, rusts, and undergoes harsh weather, it requires frequent maintenance and repairs until it becomes necessary to replace the roof – or does it need to be replaced?
A spray-on roof system is an excellent solution when the roof’s structure remains intact. If we can walk on the roof safely, we can safely install a spray-on system. Rust and debris are removed, fabric or foam reinforces seams and seals leaks, and the coatings reflect heat while ensuring proper water drainage.
Aging roof into freshly coated roof
This scenario often overlaps with our next consideration: warranty expiration.
Warranty Expiration and Coverage Renewal
When your roofing materials’ manufacturer warranty expires, any leaks and repairs become your responsibility, not the manufacturer’s.
Often, a building can sustain minor leaks for years before requiring expensive roof replacement. However, spray-on roofing systems allow you to seal the roof with an economical, leak-proof system that protects against structural decay and provides a warranty extending 10-20+ years. Even when this warranty expires, coatings can be easily reapplied for another decade or more of protection.
Beyond extending protection, many business owners choose spray-on coatings for their significant energy benefits.
Energy Efficiency and Performance Benefits
Spray-on coatings improve energy efficiency by reflecting heat off the roof, while spray foam provides additional insulation.
Temperature difference caused by a roof’s reflectivity.
Our white, reflective coatings cause UV rays to bounce off the roof instead of absorbing into the building, preventing heat transfer to interior spaces and reducing air conditioning needs [1]. When combined with spray foam, this system prevents heat transfer and eliminates condensation within the building.
Depending on existing insulation and current energy efficiency, SR Commercial Roofing’s spray foam systems have demonstrated 25-30% decreases in energy costs [1]. This substantial financial impact means reflective roof coatings combined with spray foam can significantly lower utility costs, often paying back the roof investment through energy savings alone.
These energy savings become even more attractive when you consider the cost comparison with traditional roofing options.
Budget-Conscious Solutions Without Compromising Quality
Many businesses must take out a loan to replace their commercial roof – they aren’t cheap!
The cost of a full roof replacement can be a burden for many years. But spray-on coatings are more affordable than most roof replacement options:
- Spray-on fabric/coating systems (coatings but no foam) typically cost between $3.50-$4.50/sq. ft.
- Spray-on foam systems (coatings + foam) typically cost between $6 to $8/sq. ft.
- Rubber roof installation typically costs between $7-$12/sq. ft. depending on the quality and warranty selected
- Metal roof installation typically costs between $10-$12/sq. ft.
Once these are multiplied by the square footage of your roof, the cost difference between each system is vast.
Low Business Disruption
Spray-on roof systems typically cause little to no disruption of your business’s operations while being installed.
At SR Commercial Roofing, we usually block off parking spots so that cars do not accidentally catch a little overspray. Then we take up some space with our truck, coatings trailer, and a dumpster if we are doing a tear-off before coating the roof.
SR Commercial Roofing’s truck and trailer rig.
Aside from working around these inconveniences, the building is safe to stay open for your customers and employees.
But when a new metal or rubber roof is installed, they may have to disrupt the business for a day or two while tearing off old materials and installing the new materials.
After the installation process, they also may have to check around the building for hazards such as nails and screws that fell off the roof during installation.
Making a Strategic Choice
The decision to choose spray-on coatings over other roofing solutions ultimately comes down to matching your specific circumstances and your priorities with the unique advantages these systems provide.
Spray-on coatings excel when you have a structurally sound roof that needs protection or an extended warranty, when budget constraints make full replacement impractical, when energy efficiency is a priority, and/or when you want a solution that minimizes disruption to your business operations.
At SR Commercial Roofing, we understand that every commercial roofing situation is unique. Our experience with spray-on coatings and spray foam roofing systems allows us to provide you with honest, practical advice about whether these solutions match your specific needs.
As a small company with a strong track record of customer satisfaction, we pride ourselves on delivering responsive service and customized solutions addressing your exact requirements. Feel free to call us at (608) 844-4933 with questions or to schedule a complimentary roof inspection and quote. And if you would like to read feedback from our previous customers, check out our reviews on Google!
Citations:
[1] US Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/cool-roofs
