What elastomeric coating is
"Elastomeric" means the dried coating stretches and recovers. That matters here, where a roof can swing 50 degrees or more between a cold night and a sunny afternoon. A rigid coating would crack; an elastomeric one flexes with the roof. Most of the white roofs you see from the Sandia foothills to the Westside are acrylic elastomeric over foam or an older built-up roof.
Why it suits Albuquerque
- Reflects the sun. A bright white coat bounces back much of the sunlight that would otherwise heat the roof and the rooms below.
- Stands up to UV at our elevation when it's applied thick enough.
- Bonds to foam and to many older roof surfaces after proper prep.
- Easy to recoat with more acrylic in the future.
- Good value compared with silicone on roofs that drain well.
Where it's not the best choice
Acrylic coatings don't like standing water. On a roof with low spots that pond for days after a monsoon storm, the coating can soften and wear faster in those areas. The fix is to correct the low spots or choose silicone for the roof or those sections.
Thickness is everything
The difference between a coat that lasts three years and one that lasts ten is mostly how much material goes on. A proper job specifies the thickness — and reaches it, usually in two coats in different directions, with extra at edges, seams and penetrations. Cheap jobs skimp here because nobody can see it from the ground.
Our process
- Wash the roof and let it dry fully
- Repair foam, cracks and low spots
- Prime where the surface calls for it
- Seal details — vents, skylights, parapet corners, canales
- Apply base coat, then topcoat, to full thickness
Scheduling matters too: coatings need dry, warm weather to cure. See the best time to coat a roof here.
Call (505) 886-8732 for a free estimate on an elastomeric coating.
Common questions
Is elastomeric the same as "cool roof" coating?
Most white elastomeric coatings are reflective "cool roof" coatings. The white color is what does the cooling.
Can it go over my old tar and gravel roof?
Sometimes, after the loose gravel is removed and the surface is repaired and primed. We check during the estimate.
How long before it can get rained on?
Coatings need several dry hours to set. We watch the forecast and schedule around storms.