Wilmington, DE Commercial Roofing and Coating
In this particular article, we will examine the recommended practices for commercial roof coating, highlight leading manufacturers of coatings, and provide guidance on selecting the most suitable contractor for commercial roof coating projects in and around Wilmington, DE.
What is commercial roof coating?
When we come across the term “roof coating”, the initial thought often leans towards throwing on a bucket of tar they bought at the nearby hardware store. Although this is indeed a form of coating, it does not align with the superior, modern day approach that professional commercial and industrial roofing companies provide. The old methods of throwing tar on the roof are temporary solutions at best – akin to a band-aid fix.
Conversely, J Smucker Contracting specializes in the installation of multi-layered commercial roof coatings that offer an outstanding warranty period ranging from 10 to 18 years
What is the most recommended type of commercial roof coating?
There are a couple different types of high-level commercial coating practices and procedures. Many highly recommended roofing manufacturers produce roof coating materials. So that today in 2023 you have a wide range of options including (but not recommended) temporary hardware store varieties mentioned earlier to the robust and multi-layered systems expertly installed by elite commercial roofing companies.
Generally, within the range of products you’ll find acrylic roof coating, which is a water based product, polyurethane coatings which is solvent-based and comes in aromatic and aliphatic (for areas where it rains near daily), and silicone coatings, which are usually recommended in the southern part of the US as they’re more equipped for high UV environments.
Finally, for the areas around Wilmington, DE and the central to north east coast, many commercial roofing companies recommend and use what’s called an elastomeric roof coating. Elastomeric roof coating systems are used especially in this area as they are a general all-weather coating system. Elastomeric coatings have the unique ability to expand and contract during the seasonal changes without cracking or peeling – thus keeping it’s form and ability to protect the roof from the environment. The ‘drawbacks’ if you will, would be that it is a bit more expensive than traditional types (that don’t last as long) and they can be complicated to install. Therefore, you would need an expert commercial roofing company in Wilmington, DE to install. For additional information about elastomeric coatings, read our article entitled “Will Elastomeric Roof Coatings Stop Leaks?“
While several manufacturers offer similar products, very few can match the exceptional quality of Conklin Roofing Products, Versico, and GAF. The reliability of a roofing system is closely tied to the 3rd party manufacturer and its warranty, and no other company demonstrates a stronger commitment to standing behind their warranties than the aforementioned commercial supply companies. Additionally, J Smucker Contracting is a Diamond Elite installer for Conklin!
How long can you expect an elastomeric roof coating last?
An elastomeric coating system, such as Conklin’s, offers an impressive warranty period ranging from 10 to 18 years, depending on the preparation process preceding the application of the coating. The Conklin coating system entails extensive prep work before applying the top coat… which again, is why it is ALWAYS recommended that these types of products are installed by a professional.
Basically, the prep process includes an initial thorough cleaning and sealing of the existing or bottom layer of the roof as well as a sealing of all seams with fabric. This ensures the creation of a seamless and durable membrane that will fully support the elastomeric coating once it’s applied.
In addition to the cost-saving benefits from the reflective nature of the white coating, building owners can save 50% of the cost of an actual roof replacement. That’s why it’s so important to have your roof professionally inspected, before you tear it off and replace it with a brand new one!
How to choose the best commercial roof coating contractor
Right out of the gate you need to make sure that you contact a company with extensive experience in roof coatings. Applying a roof coating is not a task that should ever be left to a non-professional, or a commercial contractor that lacks experience. Commercial roof coatings done the right way demand time and expertise to ensure proper application.
Additionally, it’s important to address the fact that not every roof is suitable for coating. Therefore, find a roofing contractor that will come out to your site and inspect your specific situation. A professional roofing contractor will provide great guidance based on your roof’s specific requirements – rather than just focusing on getting the sale. If you have any questions about commercial roof coating that weren’t answered in this article. feel free to contact the commercial roof experts at J Smucker Contracting.
Commercial roof coating in Wilmington, DE
To summarize, commercial roof coating offers many beneficial solutions for commercial buildings. Opting for coating can lead to substantial cost savings compared to roof replacement, while also delivering long-term energy efficiency benefits. A high-quality roof coating system should be accompanied by an extensive warranty, comparable to that of any single ply membrane available.
However, the crucial first step is selecting the right company for the job. At J Smucker Contracting, we take pride in our personalized approach to each roof project. Our dedicated team conducts comprehensive roof inspections and presents you with various options tailored to your roof’s needs and your budget. Whether it’s minor repairs, coating systems, complete replacements, or anything in between, we are here to guide you towards the options that best suit your requirements. Give us a call to explore the possibilities.