Different Types of Concrete Coatings

Several different types of concrete coatings are available to protect a surface from contamination and weakening. Penetrating sealers provide an invisible layer of protection against temperature extremes and harsh chemicals. Acrylic sealers produce a thin film that protects the concrete apparent. Polyurethane concrete coatings are usually thicker and more long-lasting than ordinary sealers. Epoxy coatings are scratch-resistant and provide a colourful appearance. A concrete overlay may also be applied to restore a smooth finish to a surface.

Penetrating sealers are usually applied as an exterior concrete coating. This coating penetrates the surface to create a barrier against moisture chemicals. These sealers are transparent when applied and do not alter the natural appearance of the material. They also provide protection from freezing temperatures and sunlight. A penetrating sealer is easily applied and is one of the least expensive coatings for concrete.

 An acrylic sealer works at the surface to protect the material from damage. Acrylic concrete coatings can be applied to both interior and exterior surfaces and are available in an oil or water base. This sealer variant dries quickly and can be purchased in finishes ranging from glossy to matte. Acrylic sealers used on interior surfaces typically require frequent maintenance, however. This type of coating is relatively inexpensive and easy to apply.

Elastomeric Coatings for Concrete

In terms of field applied,  they are now available in water-based, acrylics and thermoplastics with ultra-bonding, cross-linking chemistry and acrylic elastomerics  Bottom line is that the same solar reflective IR pigment technology is used and high levels of reflectivity are available, color-for-color as in the factory applied paints. These field-applied coatings clean up with water, are very low toxic and have a higher overall thickness once they are fully dried. However, in order to bond to failing, older Kynar coated metal roofs, some manufacturers are now making specialized “hot” primers,  that meet the VOC requirements and adhere very well to the older coated metal.  The acrylic colored IR coatings can be applied over this bonding primer and stick very well.  It is common with some manufacturers to also to have a clear sealer put on over the finished coloured reflective coating in order to protect the colour coat further, just like the similar purpose clear sealers commonly used on automotive finishes.  This clear coat or “glaze coat” further adds to the dirt shedding quality of the steep-slope, metal roofs.

When full water-proofing is also required for the metal roof, a class of flexible, waterproofing coatings called “elastomerics” is required to seal the metal roof as a whole system. 

How Do Thermal Roof Coatings Work?

One should also remember that roof tiles are laid in a certain way – to allow airflow under the tile.  Applying a coating to the exterior of the tile won’t stop that airflow, neither will it stop warm air from escaping through roof vents, soffit vents, through gaps between tile overlaps, around lead work etc. Even a roof without visible vents can be cold and breezy, that’s perfectly normal.

This is why the government and energy companies refuse to offer grants for thermal roof coatings - they simply don’t work.

It is much cheaper to increase the amount of loft insulation you have above the ceiling or to have cavity wall installation installed. 

So next time you see a website or leaflet boasting about how this thermal coating can reduce tile heat loss by 10-20%  etc just remember, very little heat goes directly through the tiles, most goes around it! And for good reason – to prevent condensation.

That is why your loft is always cold in winter, even if the house below is warm.

The purpose of protection is to keep the habitable part of the house warm that is why on most homes the insulation is placed above the ceiling, not on the exterior of the tiles.

Ensure that you have good quality insulation above the ceiling and you won’t have to worry about heat going through the ceiling, let alone through the roof tiles.

Ceramic Paint Protects From Heat

Ceramic-filled or so-called ceramic insulating paint additive technologies promoted by several companies claim to be an”insulating” paint which are used to make exterior house walls cool have been a nonsensical concept from their outset based upon just one law of physics. Since insulation and it associated mandatory “R- value” measurement in the building industries have been long established as the measure of effectiveness for insulation. This is based on thermal mass (thickness & density) and in some varieties, effectiveness in trapping air inside the thick barrier or dense product.  Average paint thickness is a single sheet of paper. Now comes the two sheets of paper thick ceramic-filled paint (up to ten  pieces of paper for some manufacturers), and the claims of insulation value when used to paint any type of exterior wall.  Buildings coated in this way are claimed to be so cool so as to be compared to the space shuttle in how it is protected by ceramic tiles in re-entry to our atmosphere.  This is all smoke and mirrors since the very basis for the R-values claimed cannot possibly be achieved for any substantial length of time by thousandths of an inch of any paint film with insulation elements (ceramic or hollow glass) mixed inside of it.

Weatherproof Acrylic Coatings

Acrylic coatings bring a wealth of defensive individuality & artistic alternative to construction design, make bigger the lifetime of a structure’s manifestation & defensive it from the elements. Whether new building or re-coating, Coatings companies protect the value of construction by allocation as a durable, breathable, good-looking layer of fortification. Coatings characteristic:

• High CO2 dispersal confrontation – defends entrenched steel in tangible arrangement from decay

• Near to the ground VOC – safe to apply, environmentally pleasant

• Vapor Permeability – permits arrangement to respire obviously so coatings are fewer likely to blister owing to water vapor movement

• High bond strength – bond solidly to the substrate, concrete, cement, whether brick or EIFS

• Aesthetics – obtainable in a variety of colors & textures to provide the most design alternative

• Self-cleaning property – Lotus-Effect® knowledge coatings offer a tough surface that beads water & sheds dirt, observance walls clean & dry

 • Weatherproof – defy wind-driven rain & amalgamation of water in direct get in touch with vertical facade.

"Previously water based acrylic alkyds had troubles with poor package constancy, & the goods tended to dried out too rapidly and yellow," says Steve Revnew, associate leader of manufactured goods growth at Sherwin-Williams. ‘Investigate & progress over the yrs has delivered new expertise that at the present offers a product with high-quality open time, flow & leveling & confrontation to yellowing."

Benefits of Acrylic Roof Coatings

1. Easy to apply and Quick Fixing 

   Acrylic Roof Coatings create unified, uniform roofing membrane which are applied directly over the roof surface. Requiring no drilling, nailing or seam welding, these coatings save time and allow the building occupants to continue working during normal business hours. Coatings are spray-applied coatings allowing commercial roofing contractors to tailor the roofing film to meet the specific needs of the customers' roofing surface.  The Acrylic Roof Coatings offers innovative products. 
2. Outstanding Customer Service

   ThermaCote Coatings is known for having superior products and always having a dedicated customer service staff. We chose ThermaCote because their products reduce waste going to landfills, they are environmentally friendly with lower installation costs. The coatings are energy efficient and can be maintained indefinitely states one of the client.
3. Excellent Performance 

   Commercial roofing contractors want guarantee that what they are using is a quality product that will last a long time. ThermaCote Acrylic Roof Coatings has been a leading commercial roofing system manufacturer for many years. This coating is applied on hundreds of millions of square feet of commercial and industrial roofs and walls.

Why Acrylic Coatings?

Cool Acrylic Coatings for Walls

Now, we have the chance to coat our buildings with special coloured coatings, highly reflective, super-durable paint-like material, that reduces building interior and exterior temperatures 10 to 90 degrees depending upon colour comparison, location and original materials being over coated. They have many benefits in the cooling of each building. Longer term savings is another key benefit. Therefore, immediate steps toward reducing global warming are a direct benefit.

The Necessity of Cool Acrylic Coatings for Concrete

Did you know that concrete stores heat from the sun and it heats up our temperature substantially due to its global use? Did you know that it deteriorates slowly to probable failure at some point in its life span? Unless it is coated, it will eventually fail and need repair or replacement due to water deterioration to the reinforcing rebar. As it is now, due to the scale and widespread nature of its use, concrete is a major contributor to the “Urban Heat Island Effect” since not painted concrete acts as a thermal heat sink in all sun exposed locations and “re-radiates” the thermally accumulated sun’s radiation into the atmosphere after the sunset. The overheated air in cities and suburbs adds more air pollution by chemical reactions which occur as the atmospheric temperatures increase. Massive carbon pollution further occurs from generation of the electricity at fuel-burning utility plants supplying the energy to run air conditioners inside millions of such buildings into the night.

Types of Roof Coating!

It is very important to know about Types of roof coatings and its pros and cons. Following are the few types of coatings which can be used for roofing:

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is usually manufactured in steel, copper, aluminium or stainless steel and installed as sheets, even if it looks like individual tiles, shakes or stones. It can be coated in a many different types and colours of paint and other materials. Modern metal roofing frequently carries warrantees of 50 years if applied correctly.

Elastomeric coatings

A new chemistry that promises to both cover your roof and stop roof leakages, while it reflects sunlight and lowers your energy bill. The home owner can apply it themselves with a paint roller and long handled extension, without ever having to climb around on the roof.

It's too bad, but in my experience, it seldom works this way. The products stick well to bare metal and maintain their reflective qualities. I don't think they hold up well where they have been applied over other patching material.

What are Elastomeric Coatings?

Elastomeric coatings are very effective in resolving roof leakages and can be used to restore virtually all types of rooftops. It has elastic properties, and can stretch in the summertime heat and then return to their original shape without damage. Elastomeric coatings usually contain polymeric constituents, such as acrylic, and a white pigment, such as titanium dioxide, to make them dense and reflective. An elastomeric roof coating is applied thicker than paint.

Types of Elastomeric Roof Coatings

1) Acrylic Elastomeric Coatings

This is most commonly used roof coating. Acrylic elastomeric roof coatings may be used on sloped roof surfaces. The combination of durability, easy clean up and environmental friendliness makes this coating the no.1 choice.

2) Butyl Elastomeric Coatings

This roof coating is for flat roofs such as asphalt built up (BUR), modified bitumen (APP and SBS) and single ply roofing such as PVC and TPO. It has water resistance and is ideal for applications requiring a vapour barrier.

3) Polyurethane Elastomeric Coatings

These coatings are usually recommended for rubber roofs. It may also be used on modified bitumen and single ply roofing such as PVC and TPO.

4) Silicone Elastomeric Coatings

This coating is recommended for polyurethane foam because of its exceptional weathering characteristics. Commonly used over newly installed sprayed polyurethane foam and can also be used to recoat an existing silicone coated roof.