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Aluminum Roof Coatings: Pros, Cons, And Applications

Posted on December 15, 2024

aluminum roof coating

If you’re looking for an affordable and efficient way to protect your roofing system, an aluminum roof coating might be the best option. Known for their durability, energy-saving benefits, and ability to extend the life of your roof, an aluminum roof coating is a premium option for home or business owners trying to coat their roof on a budget. 

At Prestige Roofing LLC, we’ve helped countless homeowners and businesses safeguard their roofs. If you want to know more about this coating option, here’s a detailed guide where we will explain the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

What Is An Aluminum Roof Coating?

Aluminum Roof Coating
Aluminum Roof Coating Source: homedepot.com

An aluminum roof coating is a protective layer applied to your roof to improve its lifespan and performance. It’s made from a mix of aluminum flakes and asphalt or other bases, which creates a shiny, reflective surface. This reflective layer helps protect your roof from sunlight, water, and wear. It’s an excellent solution for metal roofs, built-up roofs, and other flat or low-sloped roofing systems.

This coating also reflects most sunlight in extremely hot climate conditions and prevents you from spending extra cash on a complete roof replacement. 

Why Choose Aluminum Roof Coatings?

Aluminum roof coatings are a smart investment if you want to save on energy bills and extend the life of your roof. They work especially well in sunny areas where roofs face constant heat exposure.

Choose a Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating for Extra Protection

If you want to add an extra layer of protection to your roof to enhance its strength and durability, you can use fibered aluminum roof coating on its surface. The presence of fiber in fibered aluminum roof coatings creates a thicker and more resilient layer on the roof surface and provides better safety against environmental elements. 

No matter if you choose a regular aluminum roof coating or a fibered one, both offer countless benefits to residential and commercial properties. 

Pros Of Aluminum Roof Coatings

Here are some advantages of roof aluminum coatings:  

1. Protects Against Sun Damage

👉One of the most important advantages of aluminum roof coatings is their potential to reflect sunlight from the roof. The shiny metallic surface of aluminum roof coatings reduces the amount of heat absorption by your roof and protects it from damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. A roof aluminum coating also forms a barrier that minimizes general wear and tear on your roofing system. 

2. Reduces Energy Costs

👉By helping your roof reflect sunlight, aluminum roof coatings automatically cool down the interiors of your home. This helps you save on energy bills by lowering air conditioning usage during summer. If you live in a warm climate, adding an aluminum roof coat can lead to significant savings. A cooler roof makes your indoor environment more comfortable without overworking your cooling systems.

3. Extends Roof Lifespan

👉Aluminum roof coatings act as a shield against water, rust, and weather damage. For metal roofs, a fibered aluminum roof coating is particularly effective in preventing rust and corrosion of your roof. This added protection helps your roof last longer and saves you the expense of premature repairs or replacements.

👉The coating also prevents cracking and deterioration caused by temperature changes. This is especially important for older roofs that may already show signs of wear.

4. Rust And Moisture Protection

👉If you have a metal roofing system, aluminum roof coatings offer excellent rust prevention for your roof. The coating creates a watertight layer on the surface of the metal roof that prevents moisture from seeping in around fasteners and seams and protects it from corrosion. This is particularly useful for buildings in humid or rainy climates.

👉A fibered aluminum roof coating provides even better moisture protection thanks to its thicker and more durable formula.

5. Easy to Apply

👉Applying an aluminum roof coat on your roof is an easy process and is faster and less disruptive than many other roofing solutions. Proper application ensures your roof gets the full benefits of the coating, including better performance and a longer lifespan.

6. Environmentally Friendly

👉 As we already discussed, the heat-reflecting property of aluminum roof coatings helps you reduce the indoor temperature of your home. This allows you to minimize the use of electricity on cooling systems and reduces your energy bills. Less air-conditioning use reduces your carbon footprint. 

7. Enhances Roof Appearance

👉In addition to all its functional benefits, aluminum roof coatings provide a clean, metallic finish to your roof that enhances the curb appeal of your home or building.

Cons of Aluminum Roof Coatings

While aluminum roof coatings have many benefits, there are some limitations to keep in mind:

1. Not Fully Waterproof

Primarily designed to protect the roof against sunlight, aluminum roof coatings can be affected by moisture. They are not completely waterproof and require extra layers of protection in extreme rainy and cold climates. So, before applying an aluminum roof coating, make sure your roof is leak and damage-free for the coating to perform effectively.  

2. Requires Regular Maintenance

Aluminum roof coatings need to be re-applied every 3-5 years to maintain their effectiveness. This recurring maintenance cost can add a significant amount to your budget in the long run. 

3. Limited Compatibility

Aluminum roof coatings are not suitable for all roof types. While they work well on metal roofs, built-up roofing systems, and modified bitumen roofs, they are not suitable for roofing materials like rubber and EPDM. If your roof isn’t compatible with aluminum roof coatings, you may need to explore other options or invest in repairs before application.

Applications for Aluminum Roof Coatings

Due to its versatile nature, aluminum roof coatings can be used in different situations to enhance the durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetics of your property. The following are some of the most common uses of roof aluminum coatings. 

1. Metal Roofs

Metal Roofs
Metal Roof

Metal roofs benefit the most from aluminum roof coatings. Using them helps prevent rust and reduce heat absorption into your roof. The reflective properties of the coating shield metal roofs from UV damage and extend their lifespan. In most cases, a fibered aluminum roof coating is particularly effective for metal roofs. 

2. Built-Up Roofs

Much like a metal roof, built-up roofs also benefit from aluminum roof coatings. These coatings add a layer of protection against sunlight, weather damage, and minor water exposure. Additionally, the reflective surface of the coating helps boost energy efficiency by reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the building.

3. Commercial Buildings

In the case of commercial properties, aluminum roof coatings are a cost-effective solution to protect and maintain a large roofing area. Many business owners choose aluminum coatings to complete the job under a certain budget while enhancing the aesthetics of the property. 

Cost of an Aluminum Roof Coating 

One of the main reasons aluminum roof coatings are popular is their affordability. The aluminum roof coating price typically ranges from $100 to $200 for a five-gallon bucket. The amount of coating you’ll need will depend on the size of your roof and its condition. Fibered aluminum roof coatings might cost slightly more because of their added benefits.

Even with the cost of professional application, the total price is much less than replacing your entire roof.

Conclusion

Aluminum roof coatings are a cost-effective and practical way to protect your roof and lower energy costs while still maintaining the aesthetics of your property. Be it a standard aluminum roof coat or the added strength of a fibered aluminum roof coating, they can significantly improve your roof’s performance and durability. If you’re ready to take the next step, call us at (920) 791-0414. Our experienced roofers at Prestige Roofing LLC can help you by providing expert advice and a personalized consultation to keep your roof in top condition.