Throughout the Los Angeles area, buildings with flat roofs are the norm for commercial and industrial structures. However, you might also find them on apartment complexes, churches and multi-family homes. That’s because they are inexpensive to build, and if installed properly have a relatively long life. But despite their ubiquity, flat roofs carry some challenges. While Los Angeles is known for its great weather, all that sunshine takes a toll on roofing materials, and flat roofs are especially vulnerable due to their lack of angles, which means they absorb more direct UV exposure. Fortunately, there are two roofing options that work best for flat roofs in Los Angeles, providing durability and protection against the harsh sun. Let’s take a look at these options and how they can benefit buildings with flat roofs.
Challenges of Flat Roofs
Flat roofs are exactly that: They have little to no slope. That makes water management extremely important, as it won’t naturally run off as it would for a sloped roof. Of course, in Southern California, there is not a lot of rain, which is one of the main reasons flat roofs are so popular. Still, when water is an issue, roofs without proper coatings can be in jeopardy of leaks. Also, commercial buildings tend to have a lot of cracks or spaces due to vents, machinery such as air conditioners and other protrusions. Coatings to seal these holes is vital.
Acrylic Coatings
Acrylic coating is lightweight and fairly simple to install. It offers a seamless option for sealing all the voids in the roofing system and has the added benefit of being VOC-free. Acrylic is durable and long-lasting.
Silicone Coatings
As one of the most popular options, silicone coatings offer a lot of benefits. They offer a seamless application that is durable for up to 25 years. Silicone is perfect for filling voids and preventing leaks for the long term, and it is simple to just apply another coat when the time comes. Silicone is not the best option, however, for areas that might have high traffic or that are highly visible. Here’s why.
Cool Roofs
For reflecting the sun’s rays, you can’t beat a cool roofing system. They not only offer a seamless roofing solution, but they also can cut down on the cost of cooling the building because so much of the sun’s heat is deflected. Both acrylic and silicone coatings are classified as cool roof coatings, meaning you get all the benefits of a cool roof, including improved energy efficiency and extended roof life. Plus, installing a cool roof coating may even make you eligible for a cool roof rebate, providing additional savings.
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