Expressway is Long Island’s commercial flat roofing experts. We offer residential roofing and commercial roofing installations, including single ply membrane roofing systems. We are committed to using high quality, American made roofing materials for all of our installations and roof repair work. Contact us today for a free estimate and learn more about how our roofing experts can help you protect your building (or home). Even the simplest roof repair jobs should left to professionals like the techs from Expressway. A fully-adhered EPDM roofing system is particularly tricky to install correctly. Our roofing contractors have the right skills, tools and experience to use them safely without causing any damage or leaving your roof vulnerable in the process.  

What Kinds Of Roof Coatings Are There?

There are many roof coatings available on the commercial roofing market. The material formulas and application methods and uses vary, so clients should examine the maker’s data sheet and determine which product is best for a project. Not all coatings are acceptable – or even compatible for all roofs. Coating application prep should be completed according to the roof coating’s requirements (check the container). As with most chemical liquids and chemical adhesives used in roofing, correct on-site coating storage is imperative. All roof coating products have a specified shelf life.  

Should I Use An Acrylic Coating?

Acrylic coatings were originally developed to provide ultraviolet protection for sprayed urethane foam applications. These types of coatings are now used on a variety of roof membrane surfaces, including single-ply membranes and metal systems. Acrylic-based materials provide excellent resistance to radiation and hail damage and have the inherent flexibility required to withstand dimensional instability of most roof membrane surfaces. Some studies have indicated that properly formulated acrylic coatings can reduce surface temperature as much as 20 degrees F when exposed to direct sunlight at 85 degrees F. Acrylic coatings are manufactured of 100% acrylic and can be applied in one or more coats. Most manufacturers provide warranties based on the coverage rates; extended warranties require additional coverage. Acrylic coatings should not be applied in freezing temperatures or when precipitation may occur within a specified period from application. Cure time of these products is highly weather-dependent and cold weather or high humidity will impede curing. Ideal curing takes place with warm weather and low humidity. Acrylic coatings are economical, provide excellent reflectivity, and are easy to work with. These coatings also, however, lose mil-thickness from weathering, require application in ambient temperature of above 50 degrees F, and cannot withstand ponding water. Several acrylic coating manufacturers now offer instant-set materials. This reduces the cure time of the acrylic coating to a few minutes, thereby eliminating the possibility of coating run-off if there is precipitation directly after application.  

Should I Use Silicone Coatings?

Silicone coatings are manufactured with a high solids’ dispersion of 100 percent silicone. It is a highly elastic material that provides excellent adhesion to the existing surface. Silicones provide good weather resistance and rarely become hard or brittle. Silicone coatings have gained market share on the commercial roof market in the last decade. The rise in applications is primarily due to the material’s ability to withstand long-term exposure to ponding water, as most of the other coatings cannot withstand ponding water. Silicone coatings also provide excellent ultraviolet protection in extreme temperatures and harsh environments and can resist oxidation. Silicone is available in a variety of colors and provides high reflectivity and emissivity ratings. Some of the drawbacks are cost, application requirements, and the fact that there are only a few materials – other than silicone – that can be applied directly to the silicone surface. Silicone also holds dirt on the surface and loses reflectivity over time.  

Are There Benefits To Using Polyurethane Coatings?

Polyurethane coatings were initially developed to be applied over sprayed-in-place foam roofs. They are now used as coating applications over a variety of existing roof membranes. Polyurethane coatings provide the best rates of all coatings for impact resistance and for foot traffic. There are two types of polyurethane roof coatings: aromatic and aliphatic. These types of materials are typically used in combination of base coat and topcoat. The base coat material is durable but does not offer high UV resistance. The aliphatic coating is used as a top surface because it is UV stable, stays clean, and holds color longer than other coatings.  

What Are Fluid-applied Asphaltic Rubber Membranes?

Technological advances and labor shortages have led to the development of fluid-applied materials that can effectively extend the service life of the existing roof system at economical rate. An asphaltic rubber membrane system has been developed that can be applied in cold-process fluid-applied applications in use for life extension repairs. The asphaltic rubber material combines the elastic properties of rubber with the waterproof/weatherproof characteristics of a highly refined emulsified asphalt. The resulting formulations are proprietary materials that form a fully adhered monolithic, seamless, rubber membrane. The resulting membrane can be applied to range from 20 mils to 200 mils dry.   Unlike coatings that only provide a film surface or adhesives that require reinforcements for waterproofing capacity, the asphaltic rubber forms a monolithic, seamless membrane that provides instant waterproofing/weatherproofing capabilities. The use of these materials in combination with coatings provides a long-term, economical repair system.  

What Kinds Of Coatings Do We Work With?

 

• Flat roof coatings
• Aluminum coatings
• Gaco coatings
• We provide roof leak repair investigations
• TPO roofs, single-ply roofing systems and TPO roof repair
• Thermal roof coatings
• Metal roof coatings
• Hot tar roofing
• Urethane roof coatings
• Ceramic modified acrylic roof coating systems
• Thermal reflective  white ‘cool roof’ coatings
• Contractor grade TPO roofing and single ply membrane
• Aluminum flake commercial roof coatings
• R-panel metal warehouse roofing, repair and replacement
• Torch down tar and gravel roofing and roof repair
• Energy saving reflective roof coatings
• Single-ply roofing systems and PVC roof repair
• Built up roofing systems and Installation
• Modified Bitumen roof repair or reroofing
• EPDM rubber roof repair or replacement
• Tar and gravel roofing, patchwork and roof repair

 

Do I Need A Total Flat Roof Replacement?

You may need a total flat roof replacement if you see your roof sagging – which usually results from an improper initial installation and therefore excessive exposure to moisture. Are there large water stains on the walls and/or damp ceilings in the rooms beneath the roof? Is there moss and mold growth on the roof tiles, shingles or other roofing material? These could be signs of irreparable water leaks in the rooms or attic due to poorly-installed roofing and damaged flashing. Are there falling mortars utilized as bedding for the tiles in older roofs? Can you see light rays peaking through the roof? These are generally signs of neglect and the need for a new roof.  

Flat Roofing Services Expressway Offers

We are experts at all things ‘flat roof’. We’ve been continuously in business for over 20 years. Some of our other flat roofing services include general flat roof repair, flat roof gutter repair, flat roof chimney repairs and installations and much more. Please call us at 631.772.6363 for your next flat roof repair service.