Specifying the right silicone roof coating is integral to giving your building optimal protection, but with so many products on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose.

In this blog, we explore what factors should influence your decision and discuss how silicone products can be advantageous when compared to alternative solutions. Read on to find out what makes silicone roof coatings stand out, and how our Enduris™ Roof Coatings can extend the life of your next project.

Why Use a Silicone Roof Coating?

Silicone roof coating can add protection and greatly extend the service life of an existing roof.  

Designed for versatility, silicone roof coatings repair areas of deterioration and seal openings such as cuts, holes, splits, and tears.  

They can be rolled, brushed, or spray-applied, providing comprehensive protection by repairing and preventing leaks while creating a seamless, monolithic finish.  

On restoration projects, silicone roof coatings can be used to repair areas of deterioration, fixing and preventing leaks, as part of a cost-effective long term repair process.  

When compared to more invasive procedures, such as roof recovery and replacements, silicone roof coatings can also be beneficial from a financial perspective. Opting to fully replace a roof has the potential to become very costly, and it is an invasive process that can affect building operations and the wellbeing of occupants, which can eat into budgets. Using silicone roof coatings can be a quicker, cleaner, cheaper, and less invasive solution which involves less labor and a faster completion time.

Using Enduris roof coatings can also deliver savings when compared to competing silicone roof coatings. This is because Enduris roof coating doesn’t require a primer on most substrates, and can be applied in a single coat. Alternative solutions may require both a primer and multiple coats – making the process longer and more costly.  

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Choosing The Right Roof Coating

Each building has its own requirements that are dictated by a myriad of factors - including the complexity of its design, code or governmental requirements, environmental factors, building operations, and budget. There is no one size fits all approach.  

However, as our industry continues to navigate an uncertain economic climate, it makes sense to prioritize products which are both durable and cost-effective. Enduris silicone roof coatings can offer significant performance advantages due to their long-term durability, permanent flexibility, and ability to withstand extreme temperatures, weather conditions, and damage from UV rays.

Choosing a Silicone Roof Coating - Practical Considerations

When choosing a silicone roof coating, a key factor to consider is ease of application.

Look at whether products require mixing, a primer, the number of coats needed, and the level of product warranty provided, as these factors can affect cost, ease of application, and long-term value.

Enduris roof coating requires no mixing, no primer, can be applied in one coat, and is backed with product warranties of up to 20 years.  

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Selecting a Silicone Roof Coating – Chemistry Matters!

There are two primary types of silicone formulations used in silicone roof coatings: Alkoxy-based silicone and Oxime-based silicone.  

The names refer to the curing technologies used, and there are some big differences between them. At Momentive, we only use Alkoxy silicone for our Enduris roof coatings because we believe it offers clear benefits in terms of performance, safety, application, and lifespan.

Adhesion - Alkoxy chemistry enables Enduris roof coatings to be applied to a wide variety of substrates without the need of a primer. Oxime-based silicones typically require a primer. This can mean extra work, extra cost, and a higher risk of failed applications.  

Re-coating - Alkoxy chemistry means that Enduris roof coatings can be used to re-coat, touch-up, and restore roofs that have already had a silicone coating applied, no matter the chemistry of the original coating. Oxime-based coatings may have problems adhering to other silicone chemistries and to aged Oxime-based coatings.  

Performance - Momentive’s Alkoxy chemistry provides greater elongation than competing chemistries, sometimes more than double. This means that it can flex and move with the roof while staying watertight over the long term. Oxime-based silicone coatings do not have the same flexibility thereby increasing the risk that tears or gaps can form in the surface, resulting in a higher chance of leaks.  

Safety - Oxime silicones release MEK / MEKO (Methyl Ethyl Ketoxime) as they cure - a suspected carcinogen known to carry health risks. MEKO is acknowledged as a chemical of concern in certain regions around the world, with restrictions, regulations and guidelines around its use already in place in Europe and Canada, with other regions looking likely to follow. Momentive’s Alkoxy-based silicone coatings, including Enduris roof coatings, release methanol as they cure, which is safer to its surroundings and applicators.

Silicone Sealants – Standing the Test of Time

Enduris silicone sealants are made to stand the test of time, and we have proof!  

In 1983, we started a 30-year test to evaluate the long-term durability of a variety of sealant types.  

Three decades later, the test revealed that Momentive silicone solutions were stronger, more flexible, and more resistant to extreme weather than other solutions, making them an obvious choice for construction projects that need to stand the test of time.  

Full results are available here.

Decades of Durability and Little Erosion

The unique properties of silicone make them a great candidate for projects set in challenging environments with high levels of rainfall, or strong UV.

Silicone roof coatings provide one of the highest levels of durability on the market. This is because silicone weathers with almost zero erosion - which can help your building perform to its optimal capacity well into the future, reducing the need for maintenance and repairs.  

A high-quality silicone product like Enduris Silicone Roof Coating can withstand even the most extreme weather conditions - keeping flat roofs protected from dramatic temperature extremes, water, and daily UV exposure for decades.

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Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Standards

Working on a project with specific sustainability goals?  

The right silicone roof coatings can help. When applied in a white color, Enduris roof coating can work to improve the energy efficiency of a building and reduce emissions, helping building owners save money on energy and air conditioning costs.

Waste is also a big problem in the construction industry, so choosing to repair a leak with a silicone coating can be a more environmentally friendly option than full replacement as it reduces the quantity of material that is sent to landfill.  

Other sustainability advantages are achieved by the strong performance characteristics of silicone. As it effectively extends the lifespan of a project, it can also reduce the need for repairs, which, in turn, decreases the generation of further waste material throughout the roof’s lifecycle.  

Beyond Roof - Silicone Coatings for Façade Repairs

The best silicone roof coating needed will depend on the requirements of a restoration and repair job.

A high-quality silicone architectural coating can be an effective solution for façade repairs. A translucent silicone coating, for example, creates a clear membrane that remains waterproof, breathable, weather resistant, and permanently flexible, while maintaining the original appearance of the building.  

This type of coating is also useful for older or protected buildings made from brick or stone - as they can provide long-term protection without spoiling their historic or aesthetic appeal.  

At Momentive, our Optic™ and SilShield™ Architectural Coatings preserve building aesthetics while providing lasting protection against the elements.  

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Protect Your Project with Momentive

Whether you’re working on a new construction or a restoration project- get the job done quickly and effectively with the help of Enduris Roof Coating, our high-performing silicone roof coating that can provide long-term, leak-free protection for your roof.

Discover the full benefits here.