Low-VOC Elastomeric Roof Coatings for Green Buildings

Look into low-VOC elastomeric roof coatings for green buildings. Low-VOC roof coatings emit fewer volatile organic compounds for the benefit of our environment and indoor air quality.

Low-VOC roof coatings are made to reflect sunlight and insulate, and will lower energy costs and prolong the life of the roof. Perfect for both commercial and residential properties, they’re also for green buildings. Transform your roof with Big Easy Roof Repairs.

Key Takeaways

• Low-volatile organic compounds (VOCs) elastomeric roof coatings provide another green product that meets the definition of containing few to no VOCs.
• Laminated roof coatings are highly elastic and can stretch and contract along with movement within the building in order to assist in maintaining contained cracking.
• Low VOC coatings are at the forefront of sustainable building certifications, such as LEED or wellness within the built environment, due to their ability to enhance indoor air quality and reduce dangerous emissions.
• Elastomeric coatings create a seamless, reflective, water-resistant membrane that reduces cooling costs and prolongs the life of the existing roof.

What Are Low-VOC Elastomeric Coatings?

Low-VOC elastomeric coatings are a second-generation roofing material that has a low concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC pollutants are freely outgassing chemicals that create health and pollution issues.

Low-VOC coatings offer a safe method to maintain and protect roofs with significantly less emissions. The products contain polymers, resins, and additives that provide a flexible, waterproof membrane that protects and extends the useful service life of the roofing system while providing a commitment to environmental stewardship.

The Elastomeric Advantage

Elastomeric coatings, in their name, are valued for their elasticity – for how they extend and contract with a mobile structure without cracking. Elasticity is a boon for roof systems in variable temperature climates, and durability is always a concern.

They are accommodating and may be applied over numerous substrates, such as metal, concrete, or asphalt roofs, for residential as well as commercial structures. Moreover, elastomeric coatings are typically much lower cost than doing a standard roof replacement process, which saves largely on both labor and materials.

The Low-VOC Imperative

Low-VOC formulations limit VOCs, which improves indoor air quality and creates a healthier experience for the building’s occupants or customers. These coatings, like others discussed, are acceptable for inclusion in green building programs, such as LEED, which include a strict standard for the sustainability performance of coatings, particularly new standards for coatings that limit chemicals that deplete the ozone layer. For builders and individual homeowners, it creates a safer, greener option for roofs that comply with newer standards for buildings.

The Coating Function

Elastomeric coatings form a continuous protective barrier over roofs to prevent water intrusion. They reduce the chances of leaks and their repair costs. The reflective surface helps to reduce roof temperatures because it does not absorb heat, which leads to a reduction in the energy needed for cooling. They stretch existing roofs’ lifetimes, postponing expensive replacements.

Quantifying the Green Impact

Low-VOC elastomeric roof coatings offer quantifiable benefits for green building. Their rewards are more than just pretty faces; they provide tangible benefits in terms of energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant health.

Energy Savings

• Reflective roof coatings prevent the absorption of solar heat, maintaining surfaces of up to 30°C cooler.
• Reducing heat transfer into buildings, they slash HVAC energy requirements, saving energy costs by as much as 40% in commercial applications.
• Because using less energy means emitting less greenhouse gas, that’s good news for climate action.
• They fit right in with green building standards like LEED, too.

Material Longevity

• Checklist of benefits: Resistance to UV damage and thermal shock, protection from water intrusion and leaks, resilience to move with the shifting of the substrate, which prevents cracking.
• Extend roof lifespans by 5+ years, postponing expensive replacements.
• Minimizing premature roof tear-off minimizes waste to landfills.
• By only recoating every 5-10 years, you have less disruption, but the performance is maintained.

Urban Heat Reduction

Reflective coatings mitigate the urban heat island effect by decreasing heat absorption. Lower temperatures in the surrounding area correspond to lower cooling loads on air conditioning devices in areas of high population density.

The cooling of urban climates adds climate change resilience, especially in times of extreme heat. These kinds of coatings help rooftop spaces stay more comfortable to be in or to place solar panels.

Healthier Spaces

Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) coatings can enhance indoor ‘air quality.’ These coatings are low in VOC, which is associated with enhanced air quality. VOCs can also reduce indoor temperature fluctuation, which increases the livability and comfort of indoor environments.

These coatings adhere to stringent building criteria associated with occupant health based on the ‘green status’ of building materials. As a result, these coatings are an obvious choice for a sustainable green building environment.

Transform to a Green Building Today

Low-VOC elastomeric roof coatings provide a clever way to facilitate green building objectives. They lower toxic emissions, help the environment by reducing energy costs, and increase the longevity of the roof.

If you’re thinking about a new roof, check out the low-VOC elastomeric roof coatings. They’re one more step in a direction towards greener and more efficient buildings. Contact our specialists at Big Easy Roof Repairs for technical assistance.