Unless you’re a really big fan of the great outdoors, you need a reliable roof to keep nature in its place. This starts with the materials you first use, but can also extend to ones you choose later on to further the life of your roof. If you’re looking to fix a leak or simply bolster an area on top of your residential home, keep reading for a beginner’s guide to liquid rubber roofing.
What is Liquid Rubber Roofing?
The term is pretty self-explanatory, but liquid rubber roofing refers to a method of either bolstering or building a roof that involves the use of liquid rubber. Using liquids for this purpose dates back to antiquity, but rubber caught on as a viable material in the 1960s.
It generally comes in a can that looks like the type you find paint in. As a liquid, it is applied the same way, too. You can either use a paintbrush, a roller, or spray the rubber on the surface of your roof.
The benefits of liquid rubber roofing are numerous, which explains its popularity. Let’s take a look at a few of these positive characteristics now.
Weather-Resistant
Rubber is a great material for dealing with the weather for a number of reasons. First, rubber is extremely durable, so any kind of abuse Mother Nature can throw at it will basically be shrugged off.
However, rubber isn’t a rigid material, by any means. So, when the sun’s heat becomes oppressive, rubber roofing expands. By doing this, it doesn’t crack or get worn out. As soon as the temperature begins dropping, the roofing contracts.
Pleasing Finished Product
Along with all this durability, liquid rubber roofing can actually produce a fairly pleasing finished product, as well. Nowadays there are a number of colors to choose from, so you can pick just about any you like. Because it’s applied as a liquid, it also does a good job of smoothing out surfaces and providing an unwrinkled finish.
Application
Applying liquid rubber is about as easy as painting. As mentioned above, it basically requires the same kinds of equipment, as well. This means many people save money by handling the process themselves.
Longevity
Once applied, a liquid rubber roof will last for decades with little-to-no maintenance. If, for whatever reason, it does need repairs, all you need to do is add another coat.
Disadvantages
No product is perfect, and liquid rubber roofs are no exception. Liquid rubber cannot be applied directly over shingles, for one thing. For any asphalt or tar surface you need to coat first with our proFlex primer followed by the Liquid Rubber. This also goes for any roof or surface that has been previously coated with 3rd party material; proflex primer first followed up with the Liquid EPDM.
While you have many options to help your roof do its job, few can hold a candle to liquid rubber roofing. Its longevity is certainly unmatched, and that entire time you’re getting a kind of durability only a material like rubber can provide. Although it might be pricier than other options, it can end up saving you a lot of money, and headaches, in the long run.