Extend the Life of Your Flat Roof With Elastomeric Roof Coating
Extend the Life of Your Flat Roof With Elastomeric Roof Coating
Roof Coating Description RX 500
Flat and low slope roofs take more abuse than steep roofs. They sit in the sun all day, they deal with standing water longer, and they get cooked by UV year after year. If this is your first time hearing this, flat roofs do not usually fail all at once. They dry out, crack, blister, and slowly lose flexibility until water finally finds a path inside.
That is where elastomeric roof coatings come in.
A properly applied elastomeric roof coating does not just make a roof white. It protects the roof surface, lowers roof temperature, reduces heat transfer into the building, and most importantly, extends the usable life of the existing roof system.
For homeowners, commercial property owners, and mobile home owners across Denver, elastomeric coatings are one of the most cost effective roof life extension options available when the roof structure is still sound.
What an Elastomeric Roof Coating Actually Does
Elastomeric coatings are flexible, water based coatings that stretch and move with the roof. Unlike paint, they are designed to remain elastic over time instead of getting brittle.
Roof X Tender 500 White Elastomeric Cool Roof Coating works by creating a reflective barrier that does three critical things:
• Reflects sunlight and UV radiation
• Reduces heat buildup in the roof membrane
• Shields the existing roof surface from weather damage
This coating meets Energy Star requirements and is CRRC listed, which means it has been tested for reflectivity and performance.
In plain terms, it keeps your roof cooler and slows down deterioration.
Why Cool White Roof Coatings Matter in Colorado
Colorado sun is no joke. Even in winter, UV exposure is constant at higher elevation. On a flat roof, that sun beats straight down all day.
A white elastomeric coating with high reflectivity like RX 500 reflects up to 88 percent of sunlight, which dramatically lowers roof surface temperature. Lower roof temperature means:
• Less expansion and contraction
• Less cracking and splitting
• Less stress on seams and penetrations
• Reduced cooling demand inside the building
This is why cool roof coatings are commonly used on commercial buildings, mobile homes, and residential flat roofs throughout the Denver metro area.
When Elastomeric Coating Is a Smart Choice
Roof coatings are not a miracle product and they are not a band aid for a failing roof. They work best when the roof is still structurally sound but showing signs of age.
Good candidates include:
• Modified bitumen roofs
• Built up roofing systems
• Smooth surfaced roofs
• Mobile home flat roofs
• Older roofs with minor cracking but no active saturation
If the roof deck is rotten or drainage is poor, coating alone is not the answer. That is where experience matters.
Proper Roof Preparation Is Everything
Most coating failures happen because of poor preparation. The coating itself is not the problem.
Before RX 500 is applied, the roof must be:
• Completely dry
• Free of dirt, oil, loose granules, and debris
• Properly draining with no chronic ponding
Rusty metal areas must be wire brushed and primed. Existing cracks, seams, and penetrations must be repaired using elastomeric patching compound and polyester fabric reinforcement.
Pressure washing the roof is strongly recommended. A clean surface is the foundation of adhesion.
Correct Application Matters More Than the Product Name
Roof X Tender 500 is applied in two full coats, not one. Each coat is applied at 1.5 gallons per square, for a total of 3 gallons per square.
Key application rules that should never be ignored:
• Surface temperature must be at least 50 degrees
• No rain or heavy dew for 24 to 48 hours
• Second coat applied perpendicular to the first
• Minimum four hours before sunset
Skipping steps or thinning the product is how coatings fail early.
Polyester Reinforcement Extends Coating Life
For worn surfaces, waterways, drain areas, and seams, polyester fabric embedded into a base coat dramatically improves durability. This is old school roofing practice that still works.
When reinforced correctly, the coating resists cracking, resists standing water better, and lasts longer.
This is especially important on flat roofs where water does not immediately run off.
Energy Efficiency and Long Term Savings
A cool white elastomeric roof coating does more than protect the roof surface. It reduces heat transfer into the building, which lowers attic and interior temperatures.
That leads to:
• Reduced air conditioning usage
• Lower summer energy bills
• Less thermal stress on roofing materials
RX 500 meets Energy Star requirements and exceeds ASTM D 6083 performance standards.
Maintenance Still Matters
Coated roofs are not set it and forget it systems.
Annual inspections, light cleaning, and touch ups around penetrations will significantly extend the life of the coating. If dirt builds up over time, the surface can be cleaned with mild water and bleach solution.
Routine maintenance is the difference between a coating lasting five years versus ten or more.
Why Contractor Experience Matters With Flat Roof Coatings
Flat roofing is unforgiving. Poor drainage, improper prep, and rushed application all lead to failure.
This is not the place for shortcuts or weekend experiments. A seasoned contractor knows when coating is appropriate and when it is not.
Done right, elastomeric coating is one of the smartest roof life extension tools available.
This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional construction, roofing, or contracting advice. Every property, structure, and situation is different. Always consult a qualified roofing or gutter professional for inspections, recommendations, and repairs specific to your home or building.
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This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional construction, roofing, or contracting advice. Every property, structure, and situation is different. Always consult a qualified roofing or gutter professional for inspections, recommendations, and repairs specific to your home or building.
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