Commercial property owners in Bismarck, ND are often looking for ways to lower operating costs and extend the life of the roof they already have. A commercial roof coating is one option worth evaluating. Mid-West Roofing Systems provides acrylic coating and restoration, and a coating can help protect an existing roof and, depending on the building, may help reduce cooling costs.
Whether a coating is the right investment depends on the condition of your current roof. Protecting the efficiency and performance of your Bismarck commercial building starts with an honest look at that condition. Call 701-500-9399 to speak with our team.
Energy Efficiency Benefits of Roof Coating
Reflective, or “cool,” coatings work by reflecting a portion of the sun’s radiation instead of absorbing it. That can reduce heat transfer into the building during warmer months and lower the load on cooling equipment. How much it helps depends on the coating product, the roof’s color and condition before coating, the insulation below, and how much cooling the building uses. Bismarck’s cooling season is shorter than in warmer regions, so owners should not assume a specific percentage of savings. Ask the contractor for the manufacturer’s product data on reflectivity and review your building’s actual cooling costs before treating energy savings as a deciding factor.
Beyond Energy Savings: Additional Benefits
Energy efficiency is only one reason owners consider coatings. Other potential benefits include:
Extended Roof Lifespan: A coating can protect the existing roofing surface from UV exposure, weathering, and thermal cycling, which may extend its service life. The amount of added life varies with the roof’s condition, the coating system, and the application.
Reduced Maintenance: A well-prepared, coated roof with a sealed surface may need fewer minor repairs, though it still needs regular inspection.
Environmental Impact: Lower cooling demand, where it occurs, means less energy used, which can support a business’s sustainability goals.
Project Value: The value of a coating depends on the roof condition, preparation, repair scope, selected system, and how the building actually uses energy. Compare the coating proposal with the repair or replacement alternative instead of assuming a standard payback period.
ROI Considerations for Business Owners
When evaluating the investment potential of a commercial roof coating, consider these factors:
- Coating is often less expensive and less disruptive than full roof replacement, but only when the existing roof is a sound candidate.
- Payback depends on your cooling costs, the condition of the roof, and the coating system. Request a written scope and the product specifications before comparing options.
- Addressing small problems before they spread can reduce the chance of water damage to interior assets and disruption to your business.
- Coating a roof that needs replacement does not produce a return, because the underlying problem remains.
Is Your Commercial Building a Good Candidate?
The best candidates are roofs that remain serviceable after needed repairs and can meet the selected coating system’s preparation and compatibility requirements. A roof may look worn and still qualify, while another may have concealed moisture, unstable materials, or drainage problems that change the scope. A professional assessment helps separate those conditions. For a better picture of the roof’s overall condition, a roof inspection is a sensible first step. The table below summarizes the key conditions to check.
| Condition | Coating may be appropriate when | Repair or replacement is more likely when |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture | Available evidence supports a serviceable assembly, or limited wet material can be identified and corrected before coating | Saturated insulation, widespread moisture, or uncertain concealed conditions could undermine the restoration scope |
| Adhesion | The prepared surface can meet the selected coating system’s adhesion and preparation requirements | The membrane is blistered, delaminating, separating, contaminated, or otherwise unable to provide a dependable base |
| Substrate condition | The deck is solid and defects are limited and repairable | Decking is soft or rotted, or damage is widespread |
| Drainage | Water drains properly | Ponding water persists because of low spots or drain problems |
| Compatibility | The coating system is compatible with the existing roofing material | The existing material cannot be coated reliably |
A coating does not correct ponding-water drainage defects, rotten decking, or saturated insulation. Those conditions need repair or replacement first, and putting a coating over them hides the problem without solving it. If water is already entering the building, roof leak detection can help find the source, and flat roof repair may be needed before any coating.
When a roof qualifies, a sound coating project follows a sequence: the roof is cleaned and prepared, defects such as seams, cracks, and flashing details are repaired, the coating is applied according to the selected system’s written requirements, and the finished work is reviewed against the agreed scope before the project is accepted. Follow-up inspection timing should reflect roof condition, weather events, rooftop activity, and any written maintenance requirements rather than one fixed interval.
Local Roof Coating Experts
A roof coating can help protect a serviceable roof and may reduce cooling demand depending on the building, but the decision should come from the roof’s condition and the written system requirements. To discuss what coating could do for a Bismarck, ND commercial building, call 701-500-9399.
Roof Coating FAQ
How long does a commercial roof coating last?
Service life varies with the coating system, the condition of the roof when it is applied, the quality of preparation and application, and climate. Ask for the manufacturer’s information on the specific product, and plan on regular inspections.
Can a roof coating be applied in any weather?
No. Coatings need suitable surface and weather conditions to bond and cure properly, and each product has its own requirements. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and your contractor’s schedule.
Do I need to replace my roof before applying a coating?
Not always. Coating may fit when the roof remains serviceable and can meet the selected system’s preparation and compatibility requirements. Saturated insulation, damaged decking, or unresolved ponding conditions need corrective work first.
Will a roof coating lower my energy bills?
It may reduce cooling demand, but results depend on the coating, the building, and how much cooling it uses. Treat energy savings as a possible benefit, not a guarantee.