Flat Roof Coatings: Why We Recommend A 5 Year Frequency

A lifespan of an un-coated flat roof is around 10 years but coating it every five years or so can extend this enormously. Coating a flat roof can also save money on costly repairs down the line. How often you need to coat your roof, and which coating is the best, depends on a few factors.

Our climate exhibits large changes in temperature causing the elastomeric to expand and contract at a more frequent rate. This accelerates the aging of the material and your roofing system. In order to combat these conditions, we recommend coating your flat roof with a 10-year product every 5 years.

With so many options, it can be difficult to decipher the difference between any two elastomeric products for your roof. In the selection process we focus on one specific factor: estimated life. Life expectancy of the material is at half-life in the greater Tucson area, this is due to our extreme heat in the summer & large range of temps in the winter. Basically, if the product states "10-year product," we can assume it will last 5 years.

The material will contain more fillers and less elastomeric the lower the guarantee; essentially, the product becomes more like paint and less like a roofing material the lower the life expectancy.

If you decide to use a 5-year elastomeric product or entry level coating, you can expect your roof to need service in about 2-3 years. The reason we recommend service every 5 years, with a 10-year product, is because once you stop servicing your roof over longer periods, various types of damage can occur in-between. Small cracks, hole punches or bubbles can create larger problems if not addressed in time! To get the most life out of your roof and the most bang for your buck we have created this simple guideline for homeowners:

The ideal formula for longevity and durability is to maintenance your flat roof with biannual cleanings, coatings every 5 years & replacements every 25-30 years.

Combat monsoons, dust storms, spring downpours, critters & more with your best foot forward! Contact our office to schedule your FREE inspection and individualized roof evaluation with the Roofer of Tucson you can Depend on!