Roof coating benefits.
A roof coating can cut your cooling bill by 30% and add 10-15 years to your roof. Here is everything Central Valley property owners need to know.
What is a roof coating?
A roof coating is a liquid membrane applied directly over your existing roof. It creates a seamless, reflective, waterproof barrier that protects the underlying roof material from UV damage, heat, and water. Think of it as sunscreen for your roof.
Top benefits
1. Energy savings: 10-30% reduction in cooling costs
In the Central Valley, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, a reflective roof coating can reduce roof surface temperature by 50-60°F. This means your attic stays cooler, your AC works less, and your energy bill drops. Studies show 10-30% savings on cooling costs — significant in a region where AC runs 6+ months per year.
2. Extends roof life by 10-15 years
UV radiation is the #1 killer of roofs in the Central Valley. A roof coating blocks up to 90% of UV rays, dramatically slowing the degradation of shingles, membranes, and seals. A 20-year roof with a coating can last 30-35 years.
3. Eliminates leaks
Roof coatings create a seamless, monolithic membrane with no seams or joints to fail. They bridge small cracks and gaps, stopping leaks without a full tear-off and replacement.
4. Title 24 compliance
California’s Title 24 energy code requires cool roofing on many buildings. Reflective roof coatings meet Title 24 requirements and can bring non-compliant buildings into compliance without a full reroof.
5. Cost-effective
Roof coatings cost $2-$5 per square foot — a fraction of a full roof replacement at $5-$15 per square foot. For a 2,000 sq ft roof, that is $4,000-$10,000 vs. $10,000-$30,000 for replacement.
Types of roof coatings
- Silicone — Best for flat roofs, handles ponding water, excellent UV resistance. Most popular for commercial.
- Acrylic — Most affordable, good reflectivity, works on sloped roofs. Needs recoating every 5-7 years.
- Polyurethane — Toughest, best for foot traffic areas. Higher cost but longest lasting.
- Elastomeric — Stretches and contracts with temperature changes. Ideal for Central Valley's extreme temperature swings.
Is your roof a candidate for coating?
Roof coatings work best when:
- Your existing roof is structurally sound
- No major leaks or water damage
- Roof has 5+ years of remaining life
- You want to extend life rather than replace
Coatings are not a fix for a roof that needs replacement. If your roof is severely damaged, a coating is a bandage, not a cure.
DeHart Roofing coating services
We install all types of roof coatings for residential and commercial buildings across the Central Valley. Our team assesses whether coating or replacement is the right choice for your situation. Learn more about our roof coating service or get a free estimate.