As we continue to navigate a challenging economic climate, it’s never been more important to specify the right, cost-effective, long-term solutions that don’t compromise on performance.
In this feature, Pedro Doors, Senior Application Development Engineer for GE branded construction sealants discusses how using silicone coatings for roof repair and renovation projects can be beneficial from a cost, practicality and sustainability perspective.
A Closer Look at Roof Coatings
On buildings with flat roofs, the right roof coatings and sealants can offer a cost-effective, long-term alternative to more invasive repairs and replacement – while improving the performance and lifespan of a building.
By forming a seamless barrier on the roof, they serve as a protective shield which seals against leaks, improves energy performance and prevents harmful water ingress.
Choosing the right roof coating for repairs is therefore essential – and can play a leading role in preventing the premature deterioration of a building.
All Weather Protection – The Importance of Choosing the Right Products
From wind, rain and harsh UV rays to the deterioration caused by years of everyday wear and tear – the roof of a building is expected to withstand a range of challenging conditions.
Choosing the right coatings and sealants plays a key role in ensuring the upkeep and long-term performance of a roof and helps protect it from the challenges of unpredictable British weather.
This is especially true when it comes to refurbishing buildings, as providing the right solution can be used to repair damaged areas and extend their lifespan for decades.
Silicone Coatings – A Strong and Sustainable Solution
Whether it’s historic architecture or contemporary constructions, silicone coatings can offer significant performance advantages over other chemistries like acrylic and urethane coatings.
This is reflected in the 30 year test we ran to evaluate the long-term durability of a variety of sealant types, where silicone sealants ranked higher than alternative chemistries for most of the criteria they were evaluated on.
In addition to being permanently flexible, they are also rain-ready in as little as 30 minutes and suitable for application in a range of temperatures – making them a highly attractive choice from both a practicality and performance perspective.
This means that they don’t degrade as easily and can be applied to roofs in small breaks from inclement weather– giving builders the ability to work through winter and meet tight project deadlines.
Choosing to repair a roof with a silicone coating rather than replacing it can also be a more sustainable choice. In addition to reducing the quantity of material that is sent to landfill, the durable characteristics of silicone offer long-term protection – minimising the need for future repair work and generation of further waste material.
Using Silicone Coatings for Roof Repairs
Whether it’s fixing one area of damage or using them in larger roof renovation projects – the right silicone coatings can bring a range of benefits.
For flat roof repairs, silicone coatings and liquid flashing can be used to fix extensive leak repairs on a range of roofing substrates, more quickly and at a fraction of the cost of full replacement. They can also be effective at extending the life of the roof for decades – making them a more sustainable, cost-effective and quicker alternative that requires less labour.
Silicone roof coatings are easy to apply – with some solutions requiring no primer and just a single coat to deliver decades of lasting protection. This can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to a full renovation, which can severely eat into budgets and delay project deadlines.
Silicone coatings are therefore a valuable and effective candidate for roof refurbishment projects – especially when taking into consideration the growing financial pressures on architects, building contractors and building owners.
About GE Branded Construction Sealants
GE branded silicone construction sealants includes a range of solutions for the whole building envelope, comprising high-quality sealants and coatings that are extending the life and enhancing the performance of all kinds of buildings, all over the world.
For more information, please visit: https://siliconeforbuilding.com/
