4 Types of Rubber Roof Coatings
A rubber roof coating is essentially a composite made up of numerous materials. It is a protective layer applied to the roof’s exterior to provide shelter to the interior of a building or dwelling.
Acting as the “cherry on top,” a roof coating often extends the life of a roof, seals the roof to prevent leaks, and keeps heat out (acting as a reflective layer). Some roof coatings are better than others, as we’ll explore below with the types of roof coatings in the UK.
“You don’t need to coat a rubber roof. The EPDM membrane is the final and top layer of waterproofing sheet.”
Some other roofing membranes, like EPDM, can also eliminate the need for a roof coating, thanks to their durable properties. Rubber sheets or liquid rubber forms offer solutions for just about every need and are specifically designed to protect your roof and withstand various weather conditions and temperatures.
How to Pick the Best for Your Facility
Tips from roofing experts
Types of roof coatings – what roof coatings are made of:
Many of the minerals and materials below might seem foreign, except for a few, like asphalt.
Overview of types:
- Acrylics, Asphalt
- Butyl, Coal tar pitch
- Polyurea, Polyurethanes
- Polyvinylidene, Fluoride
- Silicones, Styrene-butadiene
Single-Ply Membrane Coatings
Single-ply membranes are flexible synthetic polymer waterproofing sheets specifically targeted to waterproof modern flat roof applications.
Our FlexiProof one-piece membranes offer a quick, clean, and easy-to-stall flat rubber roofing membrane in one piece. They are perfect for residential buildings like sheds, garages, extensions, and low-pitched roof repairs. No specialist installation tools are required; the cost is £9.49 per sqm.
Acrylic Roof Coatings
- Popular for versatility and ease of application.
- Form a seamless waterproof membrane.
- Protects the roof from moisture infiltration and UV radiation.
- Highly reflective reducing heat absorption and lower cooling costs.
- It will require coating every few years to maintain the best performance.
Silicone Roof Coatings
- Known for excellent durability and resistance to extreme weather.
- Creates a seamless, waterproof barrier protecting the roof from water damage.
- Highly flexible and accommodating of structural movement without cracking or peeling.
- This highly reflects the reduction of energy consumption and prolonging lifespan.
- More expensive upfront costs than alternative options.
- Best for commercial and industrial facilities in the UK.
Polyurethane Roof Coatings
- Offers superior adhesion and durability.
- Ideal for roofs with high foot traffic or mechanical equipment.
- Seamless, waterproof membrane that protects the roof from water infiltration and physical damage.
- Resistant to abrasion, chemicals and UV radiation.
- Long-lasting performance in harsh weather conditions.
- Requires primers and multiple coats for optimal adhesion.
- Best for commercial and industrial buildings.
Selecting the best roof coating – is roof coating right for your project?
If you want our advice when choosing a material or coating for your roof, the best option is EPDM rubber roofing, which requires no additional coating, as everything is built into the rubber system.
With durable, weather-resistant properties that improve the energy efficiency of the building and low maintenance needs, EPDM stands out as a winner for its long-term value.
But if EPDM is out of the question for you, we hope our breakdown of roof coatings helped you get one step closer to making a decision.
