It wasn't long ago that many in the roofing industry treated
roof coatings as some sort of magic elixir. They were marketed as
products that could extend the lives of aging roof
systems—often without the science available to back up the
claims. Some coatings worked as promised; others didn't. The roof
coatings industry had a mixed reputation.
My, how things have changed.
Roof coating technology now not only includes extending the life
expectancies of existing roof systems but also includes issues
pertaining to energy efficiency—reflectivity and emissivity,
for starters—and a building's thermal movement. Coatings are
used with spray polyurethane foam roof systems. They are used
around penetrations, at walls and even on skylights. Some coatings
contribute to rust prevention; others contribute to the adhesion of
roof membranes to roof decks.
But here's where it gets fun: In 10 years, we'll be talking
about roof coatings that are imbedded with photovoltaic cells,
helping to produce electricity for new and existing buildings.
Nanotechnology research currently under way will lead to solar
collection devices that will get smaller and less expensive every
year; in 10 years, roofing issues will include how to protect roof
coatings in addition to how roof coatings protect...
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