The efforts towards sustainability and energy efficiency have become more prolific in all aspects of society, including in the construction of commercial buildings. These large structures use significant amounts of energy for heating and cooling, prompting owners and property managers to seek practical alternatives and solutions. One solution for reduced energy costs that is often overlooked is the usage of roof coatings. Commercial roof coatings apply a protective layer that not only extends the roof system’s lifespan but also boosts its ability to regulate temperature. When the building’s interior temperature is properly regulated, it can result in significant energy savings.

At Unicoat Industrial Roofing, we have applied over 4 million gallons of roof coatings and can deliver the knowledge and expertise you need to make the best decision for your roofing issues.

What Are Commercial Roof Coatings?

Roof coatings are applied to a roof surface to create a seamless, protective barrier. There are several basic types of roof coatings, including reflective coatings, which are designed to refract sunlight away from the roof surface or insulating coatings, which add a layer of thermal insulation to help regulate indoor temperatures.

Roof coatings can be applied to metal, asphalt, and single-ply membrane roofing systems, making them highly versatile for protecting various commercial buildings and improving their energy efficiency.

Improving Energy Efficiency with Roof Coatings

By lowering energy consumption, roof coatings lower a buildings carbon footprint, and low VOC coatings are environmentally safer. In addition:

Reflective roof coatings lower the amount of heat absorbed by the roofing material. By bouncing UV rays away from the surface, they work to maintain cooler interior temperatures during the hottest months. Lower temperatures inside the building minimize the strain on the A/C system, resulting in significant savings and maximum energy efficiency.
Insulating coatings slow the process of heat transfer through the roof, maintaining more stable indoor temperatures.
More efficient temperature regulation translates to reduced energy requirements.

The benefits of roof coatings extend well beyond energy efficiency. They protect against UV rays, water and weather damage, and aging, which helps extend the service life of the roof. Coatings seal gaps and cracks in the roofing materials or around flashings/penetrations, preventing the infiltration of water and lowering the risk of leaks.

Energy Efficiency: Which Roof Coating is Right for You?

Your selection of roof coating depends on your commercial building’s unique requirements. Some of the considerations to take into account include:

Regional Climate and Exposure to the Sun’s Rays: In areas that are exposed to strong sunlight and high temperatures – such as Florida – you may choose a reflective coating to work against excessive heat absorption.
Roof Type: A roofing contractor familiar with roof coatings can help you choose based upon the shape/slope of your roof, as well as the type of roofing material in use.
Durability Requirements: Property owners should opt for coatings designed to withstand any temperature fluctuations, snow or ice.

With Unicoat, Your Choice is Easy

At Unicoat Industrial Roofing, we understand that roof maintenance and repair can be expensive – so it is important to make the best choice for your company. Roof replacements are often not necessary, and alternate options may make more sense.

Our experts are happy to assess your roof, explain your options, and make a recommendation that helps you get the most out of your roofing budget. If you are a commercial property owner or manager looking to better manage your energy usage in 2025, give us a call. You may be surprised at how efficiently roof coatings can help you save energy – and how affordable they can be in comparison to other roof maintenance and repair solutions.