So, should I put roof coating over the new roof or let it be the way it is? The answer is very simple: Yes, you can.
If you feel like your roof needs extra care or if you feel like the roof can use a top coat to extend its life, then it is okay to cover your new roof with a roof coating that allows you to protect it.
Why do you need a roof coating?
Roof coatings allow you to make your roof safer from direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause UV damage that results in color fading and high heat retention.
Heat retention damages the integrity of your structure as it weakens many materials, such as metal and plastics, over time.
Heat will also cause your roof to become prone to holding high temperatures, creating both suffocation and extra humidity inside the building.
You will have to invest in high electric bills to keep your house cool during the summer, and in winter, you may be prone to getting cold air inside due to perforations in the roof caused by sun damage.
Water barriers and other benefits
Investing in a high-quality sun-protecting layer of roof coating is always a good idea.
If the sun is not your only concern, then a roof coating can come in handy to protect the house from water leakage and roofing problems such as mold overgrowth.
Mildew and mold allow microorganisms to develop; they can cause leaves and dirt to trap on top of them, creating an environment for pests and insects.
These together can cause moisture to trap, causing internal damage to the walls, ceilings, and other parts of the house. Another issue is that these organisms may cause staining on walls and wood, leading to expensive repair costs and renovation needs.
A roof coating can keep all of this at bay and ensure you have fewer things to worry about regarding home maintenance.
Benefits of Roof Coatings
- Moisture barriers can be formed
- Reduces microbial overgrowth
- Protects the house from water damage
- Prevents high heat retention
- Adds aesthetic look to the roof
- Gives greater longevity to the structural integrity of the roof
- Reduces the need to renovate
- Minimizes interior damage from roof leakages
All in all, it helps your roof last long. It also allows you to enjoy a premium look to your house because the roof is one of the main parts of the elevation visible from the main streets.
Especially if the roofs are slanted and oversized, it is important to know some cons of doing so as well.
Disadvantages of Roof Coatings on New Roofs
There are some disadvantages as well, of course. This is because the roof is new, and you may be doing the wrong thing in trusting any contractor or yourself in taking upon such a challenge.
The roof may require extra care because it is new and already in good shape. Painting the roof with a coating requires skill and patience.
It can be a tedious task, especially if you have not done it before or want to get done with it just for the sake of it.
Disadvantages
Here are some of the disadvantages of roof coatings for new roofs:
- Requires time and patience
- Needs extra effort to make sure it is a clean and tidy job
- You will need to be careful not to ruin it
- Some roofs come with pre-painted coatings
You may not need the coating if you bought a roof with built-in UV protection or if the roof was installed to be waterproof.
Knowing about your roof and whether it already has the function you want to use the roof coating is important. If not, then yes, you should coat it.
Arthur is a skilled roof worker with over 10 years of experience in the industry. He started his career as an apprentice and worked his way up to become a foreman.
When he’s not working on roofs, John enjoys with his family or writing posts. He is also a passionate cyclist.