Are Silicone Coatings superior to Acrylic Coatings?

One of the primary reasons to believe silicone is a superior product is that it only requires one coat to be applied to most roofs. With no primer required (in most cases), and the highest solids content on the market, you can get on your roof and apply 40+ mils in a single coat, which is more than enough to protect your roof. This means you save time and money, and can move onto the next project sooner.

Silicone also requires less reinforcement than other spray-applied coatings. Because it is so elastic, it can conform to many different shapes, as well as hold strong on the roof when temperature swings cause the roof to expand and contract.

Safe for the Environment

VOC’s, or Volatile Organic Compounds are often found in spray-applied roofing coatings, and they can be damaging to human health and the environment in which they are sprayed. One of the biggest advantages of silicone in the silicone vs acrylic battle is that our silicone roof coatings are extremely low VOC. Our coatings have a VOC content so low that they are approved to be sprayed anywhere based on VOC content, meaning they meet even the most stringent requirements. Our low VOC content keeps your workers safe while they install the coating, and it means the material is safe for the surrounding environment. When it comes to VOC’s, there is a clear winner in the silicone vs acrylic argument.

Superior UV Stability and Performance

The silicone-based engineering behind our product, it can maintain adhesion and performance under ponding water. The ability to resist ponding water of silicone vs acrylic coatings is not even close. A water-based acrylic system cannot withstand ponding water, because as you may have guessed, its water based. Another benefit of the silicone is that it doesn’t chalk, degrade, or haze from UV exposure thanks to its strong chemical makeup.

Easy to Use

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, silicone coatings provide major benefits in the “ease of use” department. Our product cures faster than acrylic, 24 hours is all you need to get back on the roof in most cases. Because silicone is moisture-cured, humidity in the air is a plus, not something that can derail your installation process. It cures so quickly and favors moisture, so there is no risk of wash-off with silicone. You can install it even with encroaching rain. Silicone roof coatings also cure even in very cool temperatures, much cooler than acrylics, which extends your roofing season into the spring and fall.

Silicone Coatings vs. Acrylic Coatings

Silicone is far superior to acrylic in many ways as showcased above. As stated, silicone is not the right choice in every situation, and acrylic will occasionally be a better fit, but on the whole, silicone is a superior system for many different reasons. If you’re interested in learning more about silicone or placing a order with us, give us a call or use the map to contact your salesman.