Home Design

(MS) - It is among the most dreaded repairs to any home or commercial building - the need for a new roof. Fortunately, here's some advice that can add years of life to an existing roof and even lower energy bills.

According to the experts at Rohm and Haas Company, before replacing a roof, homeowners or building managers should consider applying an advanced roof coating. These white 100 percent acrylic elastomeric coatings can add five to 10 years of life to an existing roof. They are lightweight and resist dirt, so they maintain a fresh appearance for several years.

The coatings are ideal for most flat or low-sloped roofs, such as those found on many row homes, townhouses, apartment buildings, condominiums and commercial buildings. The acrylic in these coatings gives them superior durability while the elastomeric technology allows the coating to expand and contract with the roof. This helps prevent cracks that may occur with temperature changes, settling of the foundation, the weight of ice and snow, and normal building movement associated with the change of seasons.

In addition to maintenance benefits, white 100 percent acrylic elastomeric coatings enhance the energy efficiency of buildings. The bright color allows the coating to reflect much of the sun's heat and UV rays, which helps keep the building cool. Tests show that white acrylic coatings can cool the roof surface by 40 degrees or more on sunny days, leading to big savings on air conditioning costs.

Somewhat surprisingly, white elastomeric coatings create energy savings year-round, according to several recent studies cited by the roofing experts at Rohm and Haas Company. For example, a study conducted by the University of Southern Mississippi compared the energy demands of two similar buildings, one with a black asphalt roof, the other, with a white 100 percent acrylic elastomeric roof coating. After a full year of steady monitoring, the building with the white roof coating used 22 percent less energy in the summer and about 4 percent less energy in the winter. The winter savings were explained by the fact that the dark roof absorbed heat during the day but also emitted heat more easily on winter nights.

White 100 percent acrylic elastomeric roof coatings can be easily applied by a professional roofing contractor, and can be maintained through the use of acrylic caulk and occasional touch-ups to the coating. For more information, the experts at Rohm and Haas suggest contacting a local roofing contractor or inquiring about the product at a local home center. Additional information is also available online at www.rooftopics.com.

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