When shipping containers end their useful lives in overseas service, they get rusty and corrosion roofs.
In addition, even if you recently purchased a used shipping container that is water-wind-tight and cargo-worthy, it will inevitably develop some exterior rust that will eventually become deep and make concessions on your storage system.
It’s no secret that maintaining a comfortable temperature inside a shipping container, whether living there or using it as a place of business, can be difficult.
A major difficulty in many regions throughout the year is maintaining the temperature of the shipping container.
All you need is the best roof coating for a shipping container, and your problems will be over.
When shopping for a roof coating, look for one that is thicker than usual, contains special coatings used to reflect and transmit different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, and has the best possible thermal performance.
I know what you’re thinking: “How can I validate all these features?”
We selected the few best roof coatings for a shipping container to assist you and included a summary of each. Below, you’ll find some helpful guides:
| Best Roof Coating for Shipping Containers | |
|---|---|
 |
Henry HE887HS073 TropiCool5GAL Tropicool Roof Coat Check Price |
 |
Rust-Oleum 301903 10-Year Elastomeric Roof Coating Check Price |
 |
Rubberseal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing and Protective Coating Check Price |
Features To Look For in Container Roof Coating
The roof’s lifespan can be increased by several years by applying a roof coating to the shipping container.
The white elastomeric exterior coating used on a standard container is durable and lasts years.
The white roof covering also aids in keeping the container’s interior cool by deflecting sunlight.
Additionally, it protects the roof from oppressive summertime heat and moisture.
It also protects the container’s contents from the sun’s heat. In addition, the roof of the container will last much longer.
Another perk is that you can get a recoated container for shipping in almost any color. New containers typically come in either green or blue, but used ones may be any color that is currently in circulation.
You can select any color you intend for a repainted container.
If the benefits of roof coating convince you and you decide to buy some, be sure to use it correctly by following the steps outlined below.
A. SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
The first roof coatings appeared to shield sprayed urethane material from the sun.
Single-ply coatings and metal roofing systems alike are now regularly coated with this type of material.
Acrylic-based products are exceptionally durable, offering protection from radiation and hail damage, and are naturally flexible, making them suitable for withstanding the dimensional destabilization of most roof substrate surfaces.
Further, it has been shown in some studies that the best roof coating can lesser surface temperature by 20 degrees Fahrenheit when subjected to open air at 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
B. Excellent reflectance
It is strongly advised that roof coatings be made with a high volume-based dispersion of 100 percent silicone.
For the shipping container’s exterior, it’s best to use a good elasticity material with better bonding to the current surface.
Ensure the exterior coating is durable and doesn’t get too tough or brittle in bad weather. Most coatings are not watertight, so the material must also withstand prolonged exposure to fouling water.
They must resist oxidation, heat, and moisture in searing conditions. Further, they should also have good reflectivity and emission spectra.
C. Prolonged protection coating
Suppose low-cost roof coatings with subpar coatings are used. In that case, the roof will likely need to be replaced before the end of the warranty period (5 years), which is usually well after the original roofing company has gone out of business.
Most high-quality roof coatings are guaranteed to protect your roof for at least ten years.
Consider the main issue with your roof and choose the best coating. If you need this service, you should use a reliable business to coat your roof.
If it’s done right, you won’t have to worry about your roof container for the guaranteed duration.
Verify if the service comes with some warranty. Regular maintenance and coating can add significant costs to subpar construction.
D. The multitasker
An added benefit of roof coating is increased fire safety and elimination of unsightly algae and mold.
Some roof coatings are made from high-quality resin, making them significantly more elastic and providing improved results than paint.
It is essential to shield the roof from the sun’s rays and prevent water from penetrating it.
The materials that make up a roof deteriorate over time due to exposure to the sun’s heat and UV radiation rays.
In time, the chemical deterioration will destroy the roof’s integrity.
Coatings for roofs should be durable and long-lasting but not compromise the roof’s aesthetic value.
E. Materials compatibility
Metal roofs, composite roofs, asphalt roofs, wood, galvanized metal, and other roofing surfaces are all compatible with roof coatings.
If you want to apply an intended coating to your storage container, you should check the money-back guarantee to see if doing so will void the coverage.
So, Which Is The best roof coating for shipping containers?
Coating the roof is essential if you want it to last longer. As I’ve already mentioned, roof coatings mitigate the effects of heat loss, thermal stresses, and water seepage.
Roof coatings can increase the lifespan of nearly every roofing material and can be reapplied when the existing coating fades away.
If you invest in roof coating, you should know the best roof coating for shipping containers. The following is a short list to get us started:
1. Henry HE887HS073 TropiCool5GAL Tropicool Roof Coat
| Temperature | With a wide temperature operating range of 35°F to 120°F, this roof coating forms a chemical bond with the substrates upon which it is applied. |
| Stickness | Superb pliability and adherence. |
| Protection | Top-notch protection from the sun and the elements |
| More Features | Compliant with regulations concerning volatile organic compounds while being mold- and mildew-proof and solvent-free |
The moisture-cure coating developed by Henry is effective against the sun’s heat and ultraviolet rays, and it can be applied to a wide variety of roof materials.
While the 100% silicone can be used anyplace, it shines in exceptional tropical environments that experience some of the world’s greatest and rainiest weather and intense Harmful UV rays.
It has been manufactured to retain its original degree of heat and UV reflectivity for its entire lifespan.
It has durable ponding waterproofing, extreme longevity, and superior silicone sealant and protection capabilities thanks to the aggressive covalent bonding it forms with the container roof.
The curing process for this coating begins the moment the container is opened, as it begins to attract and absorb moisture from the surrounding air.
Materials left in a bowl for over two days may cure and harden, but the upper surface can be ripped open and used again if you don’t utilize it all.
- Dirt Pick-Up Resistance or DPR formula
- Provides the most consistent and long-lasting energy savings
- Reduces the likelihood of dust and dirt accumulation.
- Completely watertight
- Warranty Period: For the Rest of Your Life
- You’ll be safe from the rain in 15 minutes.
- Persistently impervious to ponding water
- Thick and runny materials take longer to dry.
- This is not going to be super effective on everything.
2. Rust-Oleum 301903 10-Year Elastomeric Roof Coating
| Dry | In just 6 hours, you can completely seal off any leaks. |
| Efficiency | providing a reflective efficiency of 80% to reduce heat loss. |
| Warn | Visitors on foot within 24 hours. |
| Warranty | Warranty that lasts for ten years. |
This roof coating from Rust-Oleum brand is a non-fibered blacktop emulsion covering that can be used as a damp proofer on the longitudinal construction substrate surface or as a thin base coat and elevated base coat for use with Rust-Oleum 350 Fibered Black Roof Coating or another black roof coating.
Structure of the Roof and the Basement, Section 310 Coating fills exterior pore spaces and helps protect against water penetration.
Further, it provides a waterproof barrier for the wall and roof. Sprayable, rain-resistant, non-fibered in 2 hours for use on developed and modified bitumen roofs and green or damp concrete.
As a bonus, it protects concrete roofs, metal roofs, weathered solitary pultruded roofing, smooth surface modified bitumen, and built-up systems, and more from the damaging effects of the sun and rain, as well as withstand the elements for a very long time without deteriorating or picking up dirt.
Furthermore, it is impervious to the elements and can remain intact at temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, Cool Roof Technology, included in this water-based coating, provides 80% reflectivity, resulting in significant energy savings.
- Easily implementable
- Affordable
- Extensively applied in various places
- Durable
- Be patient while drying (Means not instantly dry)
- The issue is that you need to apply two coats for it to work properly.
3. Rubber seal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing and Protective Coating
| Use on | Isolating Product Superb for Use on Roofs and RVs |
| Resistant | Energy Star Certified by the EPA, Fade- and UV-Resistant |
| Life | The VOC Levels Are Very Low, and the Shelf Life Is Very Good |
| Vol | 60 square feet per gallon at 20 colonial mils |
Rubber seal Liquid Rubber Waterproofing and Protective Coating is a product developed specifically to protect and waterproof various items used in the home and the workplace.
The rubber seal is an elevated emulsion with tremendous adhesive strength, including exceptional puncture resistance, chemical resistance, and excellent dilation. The rubber seal is simple to set up and quickly hardens into a durable film.
In addition, this product ensures a tight seal, making it a reliable waterproof option for even the toughest service environments.
Furthermore, its obvious use on the roof of a cargo container, this product has a wide variety of additional applications.
Environmental conditions, such as temperatures and humidity, can affect drying time-frames. In high humidity conditions, however, you can pertain it before it has dried completely.
Despite its beneficial properties, a double coating of the material is recommended for the best possible results.
- Facilitated use
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Perfectly functional
- Durability
- The inability to work in wet conditions
- Avoid working on unprimed steel material.
- We recommend patching any holes before applying this finish.
Conclusion
So, if you’re considering building a container home or renovating an existing one, it’s worth looking into the best roof coating for shipping containers.
You can significantly reduce the outside temperature of the container with only a small investment of time and resources.
Whether or not this translates into lower utility costs for you depends on specifics like your location, the style of your home, how well-insulated it is, etc.
Even so, we urge all current and potential container home buyers to at least think about a cool roof covering for their task.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is common knowledge that applying a coating to a roof can increase its lifespan by preventing heat from escaping inside the building, lessening the effects of thermal shock (the growth and shrinkage of the roof system due to temperature changes), and minimizing leaks.
As a result of the plethora of information readily available online, however, they often end up perplexed and have many questions about roof coating. Several examples are provided down here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to waterproof a shipping container to bury?
The ground of a storage container is typically thicker and designed to support more weight than the container’s ceiling.
When a bunker is dug into the ground, the mass of the earth above presses down on the roof. Support can be provided at the top by dumping the shipping container inverted.
The container will prevent the ground from deforming on the surface. But don’t let that stop you from using sturdy steel bars to add extra bracing where needed.
Shipping containers, despite being made of steel, can be damaged by the pressures found underground.
The container’s roof needs reinforcement if you want it to stay upright.
How do you protect a shipping container roof?
The strength of a cargo container comes from the container’s reinforced corners, not the roof.
This means that your container will bend if you stroll across the upper side of it or if you place large items on the upper side of it.
Supply and manufacturing companies should add extra support to the roof if it will be used for connectivity or storage.
Although the rooftops of shipping containers are tough, clearing away any water, snow, or ice that may have accumulated there is still a good idea.
For too long, stagnant water can cause problems like mold growth, rust, steel deterioration, and even water intrusion.
After severe weather, the roof must be cleaned as quickly as possible. Water can gather on the roof due to the lack of a pitch, also known as an angular slope.
Water-repellent paints and roof coatings are used for this purpose because they are more effective at preventing dirt and grime than oil-based paints but are more environmentally friendly.
How do you stop shipping containers from rusting?
When it comes to protecting cargo containers from the elements at sea, paint just won’t cut it.
Many transportation businesses use thermal spray tools and materials to safeguard their assets from corrosion to lower their risk, replacement and maintenance expenses and amortization.
These galvanic coating materials protect steel surfaces from corrosion, so they stay rust-free and shiny for longer.
Metals like zinc, aluminum, and zinc-aluminum alloys are often used as rust coatings because they provide sacrificial rust to defend the metal surfaces of containers, extending their useful lives.
The coating is about 100 m deep, and its protective effects can last 15 to 25 years in various conditions.
After the rust coating has dried, you can apply another coat of paint without compromising its corrosion-resistant qualities.
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.