[sdf_row id=”sdf-row-1″][sdf_col id=”sdf-col-1″ width=”1/1″][sdf_headline id=”sdf-element-0″ module_width=”1/1″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” title_heading=”h1″ font_family=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” text_alignment=”left” entrance_animation=”No” entrance_animation_duration=”” rotate_words=”no” rotator_delay=”1000″ rotator_separator=”” fit_text=”no” fit_compressor=”” fit_min_font_size=”” fit_max_font_size=”” class=””]Roofing Sealants[/sdf_headline][sdf_text_block id=”sdf-element-1″ module_width=”1/1″ top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” max_width=”” text_alignment=”left” font_family=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” text_color=”” entrance_animation=”No” entrance_animation_duration=”” link=”” link_title=”” target=”None” nofollow=”no” class=””]
To Keep Your Home Dry
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Which Roof Sealant To Use
The roof is the most important part of your home. It keeps the wind and rain out, keeps the heat in, makes it safe for your family to live there, and generally contributes to your total well-being. However, we all know that roofs break down over time, necessitating that they are repaired and that they are replaced. One of the best ways to prolong the life of your roof and to make sure that is is going to keep you and your family protected is to choose the right roof sealant. We are presenting information here today on the most common types of roof sealant, their uses, and the conditions in which they will be most useful.
1. Solvent Based Silicone
These coatings can be made in a variety of colors, are biodegradable over time, can be applied in a number of different ways, and are easy to work with. Many people choose them as their coating of choice, just because they are easy to work with, generally work well with most different climates, and aren’t at risk of not working with most materials.
On the downsides, it will need a primer when applied to more natural materials, it does break down over time, and it is a bit more expensive than many other options. This can make it a bad choice for people who want a more natural look, who want something that will last an extremely long time, or who are on a tight budget.
This is a sealant that can be used on large patches of roofing and also on small areas as well. It is commonly used for whole roof repairs, and while it can be used as a patch, it will need to be applied to more than just the damaged area. Generally, roofs that have had their original sealing done with a solvent based silicone will benefit from using it as a patch as well.
This is one type of sealant that is actually quite waterproof, able to withstand even pooling water, which makes it an amazing choice for damper climates.
2. Solvent Based Asphalt
Another cheap and quick to apply option. This sealant is extremely common and works well. As the name would suggest, they are a mage of and look like asphalt. There are a few color combinations that can be created, but in general, they are less versatile than other sealants. They can also only be applied by rolling, and the mixing of quantities must be precise, leaving it open for mistakes.
This is also a hard sealant to use for small patches, and it doesn’t tend to play nice with other solvents that have been previously used. The biggest reason that many people avoid this sealant is the fact that asbestos and other harmful ingredients can often be found in mixes. It is not well suited to use in hotter climates due to the ability to melt. However, it does work well in dry and windy climates and is an extremely traditional building material.
3. Asphalt Emulsions
Made of Asphalt, clay, water, and other organic fibers, these emulsions are cheap and easy to spread. Depending on the mix, different strengths can be obtained, making it a great bonding material for loose or picky materials. This often leads to their use in commercial settings, and in areas where inclement weather is going to be assured. They are applied by the use of broom like tools, making them less labor intensive than many other coatings.
The coatings that they create can come in a number of different colors, mostly natural or metallic, depending on what has been mixed into the emulsion. Because they are based on water, they are also able to be applied very thinly, making them the coating that takes up the least amount of materials. This leads to them being very cheap to produce and apply, with has long made them a top choice among those on a budget or seeking to save a bit of money.
Generally, they hold up pretty well in most weather conditions, and their clay and water components make them a little bit better at standing up to heat than their solvent-based brethren. However, they are not the best in cool and wet climates and over time they will degrade if left with standing water. This means that their usage can be restricted based upon the climate in question. However, the cheap installation and ability for them to be applied with ease often mean that they are simply replaced often when in these climates.
This is again, not a common sealant used for patching, but is used for whole roofing projects. The precision needed to mix up small enough batches for patching and to apply such a thin coat generally makes it unsuited to this kind of work. However, it is possible to re-coat a roof that has already had this coating applied, leading to patch repair in that manner.
4. Acrylic
Made from a variety of different acrylic polymers, these roofing treatments can come in any color and can have any makeup. This is the hardest category to define, but generally, the goal is to enhance the longevity of the coating, ensuring that the roof will last longer than if any other kind of roof sealant was used.
However, most contractors will want to re-apply another coat of this roof sealant within 3 years of the initial coat to preserve durability. The lasting protection is actually due to the lower coat, which runs opposite the first. By ensuring that the top coat is continually recovered, the bottom coat will ensure that no damage happens to the roof itself. This is also faster than re-doing the whole roof, as the top coat can be both sprayed or rolled on, cutting down on the time it takes in relation to other coatings. Some formulations do last much longer than this without needing a new coat, but they will generally cost more and are harder to apply, driving up the cost of labor.
This is one of the easiest coatings to use for patching, as the spray on nature makes it easy to target small areas. It is also easy to replace, meaning that it can be put in place temporarily while other options are considered.
This is a cheaper coating, but it does tend to cost a bit more than the asphalt options. The need to re-apply it every few years is also something to consider, as other coatings do not necessarily need this provision. However, it still comes out to be much cheaper for many of the different variations, especially with the reduced labor costs.
This is the most common sealant used in business and commercial settings. It is applied on many homes that are rented out, because of ease and cost and is generally considered to be durable and versatile. It can also be used as a reflective coating, allowing the use of electric power inside of the building to be cut down as well. This adds to the appeal for most people, and most contractors will be most familiar with this type of sealant as opposed to any other.
All of the sealants that have been listed are used by trained professionals and contractors and are generally not recommended for personal use. Most roof repair, in general, should not be undertaken by those who have not been trained, but the use of sealants without the problematic skills and knowledge of how to mix, apply, or care for them can be very costly.
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