Understanding Metal Roof Coatings

Metal roofs are known for their durability and long lifespan. However, they still need protection from the elements. Applying coatings can improve their performance and extend their longevity. This article delves into metal roof coating methods, such as using polyurea, to help you choose the option for your roofing needs.

Understanding Metal Roof Coatings

Metal roof coatings have benefits. They shield against weather damage, prevent rust and corrosion, and boost energy efficiency. The appropriate coating can also enhance the appeal of your roof. Selecting the method depends on factors like climate roof condition and your specific preferences.

Acrylic Roof Coatings

Acrylic coatings are an option for metal roofs due to their superb UV resistance and ability to reduce heat absorption. This can lead to cooling expenses and enhanced indoor comfort. Being water based makes acrylic coatings easy to apply and clean up. They create an durable protective layer that can withstand weather conditions.

One notable acrylic product is RoofMate Coating, by United Coatings, known for its reflectivity that lowers roof temperatures and prolongs the roofs lifespan.

RoofMate is well known for its adhesion and ability to resist dirt buildup ensuring an efficient protective layer.

Silicone Roof Coatings

Silicone coatings offer water resistance and durability. They create a waterproof shield that guards, against standing water and potential leaks. Silicone is also resistant to UV rays making it a durable choice for metal roofs exposed to sunlight.

GacoFlex S20 stands out as a notch silicone roof coating option. It boasts resistance to weathering and flexibility. GacoFlex S20 bonds effectively to surfaces creating an enduring seal. With its high solids content it ensures coverage and reliable protection.

Polyurea Roof Coatings

Polyurea coatings present an highly efficient solution for metal roofs. This spray applied coating forms a strong seamless barrier that resists water, chemicals and wear. Polyurea adheres well to surfaces like metal offering versatility, for roofing needs.

One key advantage of polyurea is its curing time. It dries quickly allowing you to finish the coating process faster compared to methods. This minimizes. Lowers labor expenses. Additionally polyureas flexibility allows it to expand and contract alongside the roof accommodating movements without causing cracks.

Ensuring long term protection and minimizing the need, for upkeep is key.

ArmorThane presents a variety of polyurea coatings designed for metal rooftops with ArmorLiner standing out as an option. This coating boasts resistance against wear and tear, chemicals and impacts making it an excellent choice for safeguarding metal roofs in commercial environments. Thanks to ArmorLiners curing properties it allows for application with minimal downtime.

Asphalt roof coatings remain a selection for protecting metal roofs from the elements. Offering a cost solution to combat weathering and corrosion, these coatings come in solvent-based and water-based forms. Known for their adhesion and flexibility, asphalt coatings are versatile enough to suit metal roofing needs.

One recommended asphalt product is Henry’s 587 Dura Brite White Roof Coating. This particular coating marries the advantages of asphalt with features that help roof temperatures and energy expenses. Renowned for its toughness and easy application process Henry’s 587 acts as a shield, for metal rooftops.

Emphasizing the significance of application is vital when it comes to roof coatings. Enlisting experts guarantees uniform coating application. These professionals possess the tools and knowledge to work with coating materials effectively resulting in a smooth finish that lasts long.

They can also offer guidance on selecting the suitable product, for your specific requirements assisting you in achieving optimal outcomes.

In summary 

Selecting the method for coating a metal roof can greatly improve its performance and longevity. From options like acrylic and silicone to polyurea and asphalt each type of coating brings advantages tailored to uses. Having an understanding of these choices empowers you to make informed decisions and ensure lasting protection for your investment.

By investing in high-quality roof coatings and expert application, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your roof is well shielded. Whether your goal is to lower energy expenses, prevent leaks, or guard against corrosion, there is a coating approach that suits your needs. By making the decision and applying it correctly, you can reap the benefits of a dependable metal roof for years to come.

Learn more about metal roof coatings here.

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4 Reasons Construction Steel Prices Are Out Of Control

Structural steel prices have risen 91% since Q4 2020. Today I am going to share four contributing factors behind the unprecedented price increases.

Even as the U.S. steel industry aims to keep tariffs in place, the construction industry suffers an ongoing struggle as rising materials prices, and steel, in particular, eat away at profit margins and slow or stop some projects due to out-of-control construction costs. And it looks as though relief is unpropitious to come in any form promptly. 

Many top economists think the industry is on the edge of the precipice, with a drastic rise in demand as the U.S. market opens considerably and continues to drive up material costs.

Steel has seen unusually dramatic raises over the past year, with price growth expected to continue for the foreseeable future. According to the Q2 2021 update from Gordian's Construction Cost Database, structural steel price has risen 91% since the fourth quarter of 2020 and is up 45% in the past quarter alone. A poll conducted by S&P Global Platts of 91 participators in its Steel Markets North America (SMNA) virtual conference showed more than half expect the U.S. finished steel rates to remain at their current highs or rise considerably in the coming six months. 

Of the 44% who expect to see domestic finished steel prices increase, 22% expect prices to rise by more than 10%. According to Gordian, the structural steel price has risen 91% since the fourth quarter of 2020. Gordian's Construction Cost Database

Four Contributing Factors

Gordian routinely collects, validates, and analyzes North American construction material prices to maintain RSMeans data, its construction costs database. Its data team has identified four contributing factors for the unprecedented price hikes in steel: 

1. Steel Fabrication Costs: Fabrication costs are largely influenced by wage rates and the energy required to shape, cut, drill, and weld. While some steel used in the U.S. is manufactured overseas, most of it is made domestically. This indicates that fabrication wages for most domestic steel products will follow the rise and fall of the national working wage rate, which is increasing. And while green technology is starting to reduce energy costs for many businesses, steel fabrication facilities command an extraordinary amount of power to operate.
2. Installation Labor: Installation expenses, like fabrication costs, are directly joined to wages, and domestic wage rates are projected to extend their hike upward. The current employment levels in the U.S. have also produced a shortage of available labor. This means that businesses are paying extra to secure and keep workers on staff. Areas more influenced by the labor shortage will likely see a correlating increase in installation costs.
3. Transportation Costs and Tariffs: Over its life, steel is moved from the mill to the fabricator then on to the job site. Every mile the material moves will add more to its price. In addition to driver fees, transportation costs – including fuel, machinery maintenance, and insurance coverage – tend to rise year over year. The providers will unavoidably pass those costs along to the end-user in the form of material price increases. Import taxes and duties, which include tariffs, also factor into transportation costs. The U.S. is currently carrying 25% tariffs on steel imports against numerous nations.
4. Supply and Demand: The pandemic impacts industrial corporations and factories hard, especially those that depend on workers whose jobs cannot be carried out remotely. The effect of public health requirements and COVID-19 outbreaks was a pause or delay in production and thousands of jobs lost. Through the worst of the pandemic, the U.S. saw thousands of iron and steel production jobs disappear nationwide. With businesses starting to ramp up operations, there is a nationwide clamor for commodities such as aluminum, drywall, and wood. The high-demand nature of the pandemic recovery has emptied stressed supply chains and increased costs at a rate we have not seen in modern years.

While some believe that steel demand, and prices, will taper in the upcoming months as more production comes online, others see no clear end in sight as domestic suppliers stumble in restoring capacities. Imported suppliers take a dual hit from tariffs and jump in ocean freight costs. In a recent economic webinar hosted by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), James Meil, ACT Research, foretold year-end 2022 as a possibility for starting to see demand settle and supplies catching up, with a corresponding decrease in steel prices.

But should enhanced infrastructure funding legislation come to be passed, prospects for ease in pricing could be pushed out even further into the future and add to the question of how high rates could go if the resulting steel demand can't be met in a timely and cost-effective manner?

Read More

Top 4 Reasons Construction Steel Prices Are Out Of Control!

Structural steel prices have risen 91% since Q4 2020. Today I am going to share four contributing factors behind the unprecedented price increases.

Even as the U.S. steel industry aims to keep tariffs in place, the construction industry suffers an ongoing struggle as rising materials prices, and steel, in particular, eat away at profit margins and slow or stop some projects due to out-of-control construction costs. And it looks as though relief is unpropitious to come in any form promptly. 

Many top economists think the industry is on the edge of the precipice, with a drastic rise in demand as the U.S. market opens considerably and continues to drive up material costs.

Steel has seen unusually dramatic raises over the past year, with price growth expected to continue for the foreseeable future. According to the Q2 2021 update from Gordian's Construction Cost Database, structural steel price has risen 91% since the fourth quarter of 2020 and is up 45% in the past quarter alone. A poll conducted by S&P Global Platts of 91 participators in its Steel Markets North America (SMNA) virtual conference showed more than half expect the U.S. finished steel rates to remain at their current highs or rise considerably in the coming six months. 

Of the 44% who expect to see domestic finished steel prices increase, 22% expect prices to rise by more than 10%. According to Gordian, the structural steel price has risen 91% since the fourth quarter of 2020. Gordian's Construction Cost Database

Four Contributing Factors

Gordian routinely collects, validates, and analyzes North American construction material prices to maintain RSMeans data, its construction costs database. Its data team has identified four contributing factors for the unprecedented price hikes in steel: 

1. Steel Fabrication Costs: Fabrication costs are largely influenced by wage rates and the energy required to shape, cut, drill, and weld. While some steel used in the U.S. is manufactured overseas, most of it is made domestically. This indicates that fabrication wages for most domestic steel products will follow the rise and fall of the national working wage rate, which is increasing. And while green technology is starting to reduce energy costs for many businesses, steel fabrication facilities command an extraordinary amount of power to operate.
2. Installation Labor: Installation expenses, like fabrication costs, are directly joined to wages, and domestic wage rates are projected to extend their hike upward. The current employment levels in the U.S. have also produced a shortage of available labor. This means that businesses are paying extra to secure and keep workers on staff. Areas more influenced by the labor shortage will likely see a correlating increase in installation costs.
3. Transportation Costs and Tariffs: Over its life, steel is moved from the mill to the fabricator then on to the job site. Every mile the material moves will add more to its price. In addition to driver fees, transportation costs – including fuel, machinery maintenance, and insurance coverage – tend to rise year over year. The providers will unavoidably pass those costs along to the end-user in the form of material price increases. Import taxes and duties, which include tariffs, also factor into transportation costs. The U.S. is currently carrying 25% tariffs on steel imports against numerous nations.
4. Supply and Demand: The pandemic impacts industrial corporations and factories hard, especially those that depend on workers whose jobs cannot be carried out remotely. The effect of public health requirements and COVID-19 outbreaks was a pause or delay in production and thousands of jobs lost. Through the worst of the pandemic, the U.S. saw thousands of iron and steel production jobs disappear nationwide. With businesses starting to ramp up operations, there is a nationwide clamor for commodities such as aluminum, drywall, and wood. The high-demand nature of the pandemic recovery has emptied stressed supply chains and increased costs at a rate we have not seen in modern years.

While some believe that steel demand, and prices, will taper in the upcoming months as more production comes online, others see no clear end in sight as domestic suppliers stumble in restoring capacities. Imported suppliers take a dual hit from tariffs and jump in ocean freight costs. In a recent economic webinar hosted by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), James Meil, ACT Research, foretold year-end 2022 as a possibility for starting to see demand settle and supplies catching up, with a corresponding decrease in steel prices.

But should enhanced infrastructure funding legislation come to be passed, prospects for ease in pricing could be pushed out even further into the future and add to the question of how high rates could go if the resulting steel demand can't be met in a timely and cost-effective manner?

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Preparing for Your Roof Coatings

One theme that runs across all coating project types and substrates is the importance of surface preparation. While you would use the same techniques to prepare your metal roofs for coating as you would prepare for your fiberglass or asphalt roof system, there are some things you'll want to keep in mind to help avoid problems down the road.

One of the first things you'll want to take into consideration is the roof surface. When coating your fiberglass/asphalt roof system, you'll want to start with a clean surface. Fiberglass/asphalt sheets are prepared as described in the preparation section (see note 1) and the substrate is prepared and primed and coated using the same techniques as the fiberglass/asphalt roof system.

When preparing your metal roof system, you'll want to make sure that the roof surface is clean and free of any dirt, grease, oil or other contaminants that may affect the adhesion of the coating of roof coating to roof surface.

One very important aspect of preparing your coating is the temperature. As you would prepare a fiberglass or asphalt roof system, the substrate is typically prepared in a cold temperature while the metal roof deck is typically prepared in a warm temperature. This can affect the surface preparation of your coating.

As you prepare your substrate for surface preparation, you'll want to ensure its temperature is similar to that of the surface of your coating. This will help to eliminate the chance for the components of the substrate to become contaminated with the warm temperature of your preparation and preparation.

Another thing to keep in mind is the amount of coating required per square foot. You'll want to prepare your coating by using between 1 and 2 ounces per square foot depending on the surface area of your coating that you plan to cover, with the amount of substrate required per square foot, you'll need to make sure you have enough coating to cover approximately 1000 square feet.

As you prepare your metal roof installation, you'll want to keep in mind the safety aspects. When preparing your fiberglass/asphalt roof system using the techniques described above, you have the option to use the self-cooling type of cooling fans to prevent the possibility of melting of the roof coatings and consequently your roof system. If you elect to use this method, then you'll want to make sure you have adequate ventilation to prevent a fire hazard. By using the self-cooling fans, you can avoid using roof fans and reduce the likelihood of melting from the roof coating.

As you prepare your metal roof, you'll want to be sure the preparation method does not affect the aesthetics of your roof coating. It's important to know the appearance of your preparation to get the best appearance from your coating. A good way to get the appearance of a prepared roof is to have your coating mixed by a high-quality coating sprayer. Spray the coating to avoid the appearance of a prepared roof.

* Before using the roof fans, make sure they're properly attached. If you do not attach the fans to a good roof area with adequate support, you'll want to remove and fix in a proper manner. Proper attachment will avoid the possibility of wind and rain damaging your coating and therefore your roof fans.
* Make sure you clean your roof fans regularly. You will ensure that a properly attached roof fan is a fan that has been cleaned after use. The coating has to be clean so you can assure that it's a well mixed coating. Proper cleaning will ensure a properly prepared coating. The recommended cleaning procedure is to do a hose down of the roof with water and detergent to make sure there's no dirt that can cause damage to a prepared coating.
* Ensure you clean your roof fans between uses. In addition to the preparation process described above, ensure you clean your roof fans with detergent after each use to remove any debris that may be on the coating.

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How Does A Roof Coating Restoration Actually Work?

Lets see how spray-applied coatings can help your roof, and why they have become so popular. Roofs provide the protection which we all demand for our homes, but they also allow us to entertain in them. That means, we can't just forget to have them maintained. As we all know, roofs aren't cheap, and can't afford to have them replaced every 10 years. However, a coating can help us achieve both of those goals, at the same time saving a lot on the bill. This can be achieved with simple sealants, because they are often costly, and may not give you the results you were expecting.

A coating is actually a roofing material that has been specially mixed with a material that is designed to protect itself from the sun. This Sun is the most significant factor in the damaging process because it can cause the materials to lose their protective layer. Instead of waiting for the damage to happen, a coating can help to minimize it. This means, your roof won't need replacement sooner and will stay longer, without incurring as much expense.

The most common substance used in coating systems is asphalt. It has been used for decades, and still to this day remains the most popular substance, for both commercial and residential applications. 

The materials used in a coating of asphalt are specially blended with another substance designed to strengthen the material, making it more resistant to the elements, and to protect it from the weather. Another material, such as rubber, is often used to add texture, and which can provide the feel and appearance of wood, tile, slate, and more.

Each substance used in a coating has its own unique properties and can be used for different kinds of applications.
The benefits of using a coating are twofold. Firstly, they help to make a roof last longer, without the need to replace them every 10 years. This means less money spent. Secondly, a coating can also help to reduce the insurance costs for your home, which is what every homeowner wants to avoid.

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The Roof Coating Process

Let's see how spray-applied coatings can help your roof, and why they have become so popular. Roofs provide the protection which we all demand for our homes, but they also allow us to entertain in them. That means, we can't just forget to have them maintained. As we all know, roofs aren't cheap, and can't afford to have them replaced every 10 years. However, a coating can help us achieve both of those goals, at the same time saving a lot on the bill. This can be achieved with simple sealants, because they are often costly, and may not give you the results you were expecting.

A coating is actually a roofing material that has been specially mixed with a material that is designed to protect itself from the sun. This Sun is the most significant factor in the damaging process because it can cause the materials to lose their protective layer. Instead of waiting for the damage to happen, a coating can help to minimize it. This means, your roof won't need replacement sooner and will stay longer, without incurring as much expense.

The most common substance used in coating systems is asphalt. It has been used for decades, and still to this day remains the most popular substance, for both commercial and residential roofing applications. The materials used in a coating of asphalt are specially blended with another substance designed to strengthen the material, making it more resistant to the elements, and to protect it from the weather. Another material, such as rubber, is often used to add texture, and which can provide the feel and appearance of wood, tile, slate, and more. Each substance used in a coating has its own unique properties and can be used for different kinds of applications.

The benefits of using a coating are twofold. Firstly, they help to make a roof last longer, without the need to replace them every 10 years. This means less money spent. Secondly, a coating can also help to reduce the insurance costs for your home, which is what every homeowner wants to avoid.

Read More