Can-Do Guide®: Protecting Your Roof With Reflective Coatings

Why Use a Reflective Roof Coating?

The drying effects of the sun—due to heat and UV rays—bake out the oils in asphalt, resulting in brittleness, cracks, and loss of granules, which can cause roof leaks. Metal can rust and corrode, and over time, asphalt-based plastic cement used to seal around pipes, vents, flashings, and other roof penetrations, will deteriorate and cause leaks.

You can usually coat roofs up to 10 years old, but older roofs may be too dry and brittle to be effectively coated. If in doubt, consult a professional roofing contractor. Periodic roof maintenance can double the life of your roof and can help to prevent roof leaks in the future.

  • reflect the sun's heat and UV rays
  • reduce interior temperatures and cooling bills
  • lower roof temperatures and roof movement
  • dramatically extend roof life

Choosing the Right Reflective Coating

There are two types of reflective roof coatings to choose from: white elastomeric coatings and aluminum coatings.

For the long-lasting protection, or one-step applications:

Choose Henry® 555 Brilliant Aluminum Roof Coating or Henry 220® Alumi-Top® Aluminum Roof Coating. These thick silver coatings cool and protect your roof in one step. Aluminum coatings reflect approximately 55% of the the sun's UV rays—significantly increasing the life of your roof, cooling your house, and reducing your A.C. costs. Henry 220 is also the only reflective coating that can be used in areas that pond water.

For the greatest reflectivity and cooling:

Choose Henry 287 SolarFlex® White Elastomeric Roof Coating. SolarFlex can't be beat for its cooling properties. It will reflect approximately 85% of the sun's UV rays, thereby significantly protecting and prolonging the life of your roof.

For hot, southern climates, use mildew-resistant Henry 287 SF® Southern Formula SolarFlex.

Both SolarFlex systems are water-based systems, so only apply when two dry, warm days are expected. Heavy evening dew may cause coating to “reliquefy” within the first 48 hours, and high humidity may double or triple drying time.

Coating Your Roof

To apply aluminum coatings:

  1. SURFACE PREPARATION: Before coating, repair all existing roof leaks. (See Henry guide, “Repairing roof leaks.”) Remove rust and scale from metal by wire brushing. Make sure surface is clean and free of dust, dirt, and loose materials.
  2. Stir coating thoroughly, until reaching a uniform, bright silver color.
  3. Using a roofing brush or roller, apply coating at the rate of 1.5 to 2 gallons per 100 square feet, spreading evenly.

 

To apply white elastomeric coatings to newer roofs in good condition:

  1. SURFACE PREPARATION: Before coating, make sure surface is clean and free of dust, dirt, and loose materials, and repair all existing roof leaks. Repair all splits, tears, blisters, and other areas of potential leak problems with Henry 289 ElastoCaulk®. Embed Henry 296 ElastoTape® into the repair area, and cover with a second, heavier coat of ElastoCaulk.
  2. Stir coating to a uniform consistency.
  3. Using a brush or roller, apply coating in two coats—each coat at a rate of 1 gallon per 100 square feet. Allow coating to dry between coats.

To apply white elastomeric coatings to older roofs in fair condition, and in need of waterproofing:

  1. Follow surface preparation above for white elastomeric coatings in good condition.
  2. Apply a base coat of Henry 297 ElastoBlack®. It provides a thick layer of waterproofing protection. Apply at a rate of 3 gallons per 100 square feet. For additional protection, a second coat of ElastoBlack can be applied after the first coat has dried.
  3. Apply white coatings according to instructions above.

 

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