Acrylic Roof Coatings

Acrylic roof coatings are water based materials that require at least a minimum 2% slope (1/4” rise in 12” run). Acrylic coatings are referred to as elastomerics because of their ability to stretch and shrink due to thermal expansion of the structure it is applied to.

The Pros

Highly Reflective

A great advantage of acrylic roof coating products is that they’re highly reflective when they are new. This means property owners can save money on cooling their property during the summer time.

No Need for Tear Off

Acrylic systems prevent the need for a costly tear off of the existing roof material. The existing roof is usually a good candidate for an acrylic system if the existing roof is still well adhered/fastened to the roof structure.

The Cons

Poor Performance in Ponding

A roof with a ponding water condition will void the acrylic manufacturer’s warranty. Because acrylic is water based and requires at least a 2% slope for proper drainage, a roof with a ponding condition is not a candidate for an acrylic coating, because the acrylic will decompose. Manufacturers recommend to recoat acrylic roofs every 5-10 years.

Mildew and Algae

Because acrylics are a porous material, organic growths attach themselves to acrylic coatings. The organic growths then collect dirt and therefore diminishes the reflective quality of the coating in 2-4 years.

Lifecycle Costs

Acrylic coating systems need to be maintained much like a paint job needs to be maintained. The sun’s ultra violet rays decompose the top surface of the acrylic system, requiring the roof coating to be coated approximately every seven years. The sun’s rays turn the acrylic surface into a chalky exterior that blows away in the wind. This periodic recoating becomes an added cost over the lifecycle of the structure due to loss of millage thickness. Millage loss will allow moisture through the coating onto the roof structure below.

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