The Definitive Guide to Choosing Roof Coatings: Silicone vs. Acrylic

Choosing a roof coating can be overwhelming. There are so many choices, and it seems like the prices vary as much as the coatings themselves! To help you make that decision, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about silicone vs. acrylic roof coatings.

What is a silicone roof coating?

Silicone roof coatings are made up of polymer and silicone. These two ingredients work together to form the flexible, waterproof coating that is applied to your home’s exterior. The main difference between an acrylic coating and a silicone one is in how they’re cured or hardened by UV light. Silicone cures with UV light, while acrylic does not need any additional curing process before applying it to your home’s exterior walls.

What are the benefits of using silicone roof coating?

When it comes to cost, the silicone roof coating is cheaper than acrylic coating. Silicone is also less likely to peel and crack because it has a thicker consistency. In contrast, acrylics are thinner and can be more easily damaged by UV light or other outdoor elements.

The coating color of silicone also doesn’t change when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun, providing a longer-lasting life span for your roof.

Silicone coat roofings are also suitable for older roofing materials because they can be applied over existing coatings without disturbing the underlying surfaces. Also, this material is an environmentally safe product which means no lead or other toxic elements will come in contact with your home’s interior.

What are the drawbacks of using silicone roof coating?

The disadvantages of silicone roof coating include how easily it attracts dirt and grime, so you might have to clean roofs more often. Silicone coating will also change color over time if exposed to high pollution levels, so it may be best suited for people who have low exposure outdoors or those with air filters at home.

Another drawback is its application process – since this type of material has a thicker consistency, it may require multiple coats for maximum protection. In contrast, acrylics need only one thin layer on top of old paint jobs to work correctly (this could result in higher costs).

Silicone isn’t also good at blocking out water – meaning if there’s been heavy rain, then the roof could have a water content that’s too high, and the material will start to leak.

Another main disadvantage of silicone coatings is that they don’t last as long – typically 20 years for most roof types and require more maintenance. The life expectancy of acrylic coating ranges from 25-30 years, depending on various factors such as where you live in terms of climate, etc. Talk to an experienced roofing company to see if silicone roof coating could be right for you.

What is acrylic roof coating?

An acrylic roof coating is a type of polymer-modified asphalt and will give you the most extended lifespan for your roof. Acrylic coatings are different from silicon because they are made out of synthetic polymers, making them more resistant to water damage but less resistant to high levels of pollution.

What are the benefits of using acrylic roof coatings?

One good thing in using acrylic coating will not change color over time if exposed and work better when compared with a high level of pollution but isn’t resistant against water damage like silicone-coated roofs. It also requires less maintenance than silicone coatings.

An acrylic roof coating will also last for up to 15 years and is the best choice if you live in an area with high levels of pollution. If not, the life expectancy of acrylic coating ranges from 25-30 years.  This type of coating is also more affordable than silicone because they don’t need to be reapplied as often and can withstand UV radiation while silicon cannot.

Another significant benefit of using acrylic roof coatings on your home is it doesn’t change color over time, so it may be best suited for people who have low exposure outdoors or those with air filters at home.

What are the drawbacks of using acrylic roof coatings?

Although acrylic coatings may be less expensive than silicone, they are also more challenging to install because they tend to peel and crack after installation. In addition, acrylic roof coating can’t withstand as much heat or cold weather compared to a silicon-based material which means it may not work well if you live in an area with extreme temperatures year-round.

Silicone Vs. Acrylic Roof Coatings: Which is Right for My Roof?

The best way to decide which type of roofing material is right for you depends heavily on where you live and what kind of climate zone you find yourself in most frequently each year. In general, if you have extremely cold temperatures (-20°F), then it’s worth considering a synthetic coating for your roofs to avoid the possibility of frost damage. However, suppose you live in a region that has hot and humid summers (-90°F). In that case, an acrylic coating is best because it will be more resistant to heat and UV light deterioration than silicone coatings.

There are many reasons why you may need to choose a roof coating for your home. Silicone and acrylic coatings have their benefits, disadvantages, and limitations. Still, they also work differently in different environments, so you must know what is best for your specific needs before deciding on one material over the other. If you need help with choosing the right roof coating type for your property give our team of professional roofing contractors a call today!

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