While each coating has its drawbacks, one type is not necessarily better than the other. The perfect choice between fibered roof coatings and non-fibered aluminum roof coatings will depend on various factors.
If the roof coatings are correctly applied, they can significantly benefit your roof system. For example, roof coatings are known for expanding the existing roofs’ service life, resisting UV rays’ degradation, and improving the building’s energy efficiency.
In this article, we will explore the difference between fibered coatings and non-fibered aluminum coating to make an informed decision on which product is best for you.
What is Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating?
Fibered aluminum roof coating is a metallic pigmented coating usually infused with cellulose or fiberglass fibers and the materials used for coating. In other words, it is a coating for aluminum roofs that are fortified with fibers.
The fibers can be relatively large or small at the same time. These fibered coatings are mainly used for rust-proofing and weatherproofing metal roofs and sidewalls.
They are also used to increase the strength of the roof coating and ensure they are resistant to any tears and breaks. But it is important to note that the strength comes at the expense of elasticity.
Pros and Cons of Fibered Aluminum Roof Coatings
Everything has its good and bad side. Learning both sides is important for you to help in making the decision.
Pros:
Here are reasons why you should get Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating.
Reflect Sunrays
Most roofs with no coatings get damaged quickly is long-term exposure to sunlight. The sun’s UV rays can take a toll on the roof shingles, making them crack and dry out faster.
However, a fibered aluminum roof coating does reflect almost 80% of the sun’s UV rays that would otherwise hit the roof’s surface. As a result, fibered Roof coatings reflect sun rays, protect the metal roofs from rain damage, and prevent algae and mold growth.
Maintain Cool Temperatures
Did you know that you could keep your home cool with fibered roof coatings? Well, now you know. Roofs lacking the aluminum roof coating tend to make homes much warmer or hotter.
This happens when the sun’s rays, once reaching your roof, are absorbed into the structure underneath, which in turn causes your roof to heat up, making your home warm.
But with fibered aluminum roof coatings, it is much easier to keep and maintain these cool temperatures.
Longer Lasting Periods
Due to their strength and the fact that they resist tears and cracks, they are prone to last for more extended periods than non-fibered roof coatings.
In addition, having a fibered aluminum roof coating helps combat many factors that are known to cause roof damage and thus can extend their lifespan and ensure you do not replace your roofing materials prematurely.
Enhance the Look of your Roof
It is important to note that fibered roofs constitute a significant factor in your home’s curb appeal, so the need to roof coat your roof is pretty important.
Aluminum roof coatings typically have a distinctive and brilliant look that enhances the appearance of your roof and, at the same time, boosts the curb appeal of your entire home.
Waterproof
Fibered coating systems such as the elastomeric roof coatings are generally monolithic membranes spray-applied across the roof to fully seal and waterproof your roof.
What happens is that when the fibered aluminum roof is sprayed, the coating melts together, so there are no seams or any patches around the roof.
Cons:
Here are fibered aluminum roof coating disadvantages.
Ponding Water
As much as a fibered roof coating is waterproof and prevents the roof from getting damaged from the raindrops, they at times struggle to shed ponding water.
The ponding water will eventually lead to the deterioration of your roof and, at the same time, encourage the growth of mildew, algae, and mold.
Hold Dirt
Fibered Roof Coating, especially silicone coating, tends to attract and, at the same time, hold dirt on them. The presence of dirt on your fibered roof will generally diminish the overall appearance of your roof, deteriorate the roofing material and reduce the roof’s reflectivity properties.
What is Non-Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating?
Generally,non-fibered coatings are a formulation of asphalt, fine aluminum flakes, and refined solvent-based, which do not include the infusion of fibers. This means that non-fibered roof coatings are less dense than fibered coatings and are more flexible and less strong.
Non-fibered roof coatings also tend to have more elasticity and stretching capability when cured and are more prone to tears and cracks.
Non-fibered coatings also spread further on a roof so one wouldn’t have to use much product, but they tend to spread thinner hence not giving much protection to the roof surface.
Pros and Cons of Non-Fibered Aluminium Roof Coating
Why should you consider non-fibered coatings? What advantage do I get when I use it? At the same time, what are its disadvantages? you will learn all that below
Pros:
Here is why you should consider non-fibered coating.
UV Protection
Non-fibered roof coatings have asphaltic oils, which are protected from harmful intense sun rays by the reflective properties of aluminum. The aluminum shield typically shields over 50% of the sun’s rays, thus preventing these asphaltic oils from being “cooked” out of the roof substrate.
Cons:
Here are the disadvantages you get when you use a non-fibered coating.
Doesn’t Expand or Contract
Non-fibered roof coatings do not expand and contract with changing temperatures, and the inflexible nature of these roof coatings will lead to the development of bubbles, gaps, and cracks.
Frequent Recoating Needed
With non-fibered roof coating, be sure that you will be required to recoat often as they tend not to last for too long.
Fibered Vs. Non-Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating – One on One Comparison
Below are some differences between fibered roof coating and non-fibered aluminum roof coating.
1. Application
When applying non-fibered aluminum roof coatings, it needs to be spread uniformly over the roof surface, and care needs to be taken not to overwork the layer. This is because it could have a damaging effect on aluminum leafing.
Also, keep in mind that improper coating application could lead to premature coating failures, which will lead to the demise of the roof system.
On the other hand, fibered roof coatings need to be mainly applied during a sunny day with no expectations of rain for at least 24 hours.
It also needs to be applied at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and not exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure not to apply when the roof is damp, and make sure the roof does not have a slope greater than two.
2. Dry and Cure Time
Fibered roof coating needs to take three to four months to cure before applying an aluminum reflective coating.
The drying time of fibered roof coatings will vary with the type of weather. However, it will be able to handle a minimal amount of foot traffic in thirty days.
Non-fibered asphalt typically dries within eight to twelve hours in warm and dry conditions but allows it to dry for at least 24 hours during other weather conditions.
Therefore, when curing, let the non-fibered coating do so for at least 24-48 hours, and make sure there is proper air circulation before exposure to water or backfilling.
3. Appearance
Fibered aluminum roof coatings are ultra-premium aluminum coatings that form a shiny, reflective, and rigid surface.
We mentioned that non-fibered roof coating is a formulation of selected asphalts and fine aluminum flakes. So when the coating is applied to the flat roofs, the aluminum flakes overlap the parallel layers forming a reflective, metallic shield over the base material.
4. Durability
Although the durability of the fibered roof coatings will depend on several factors, and due to their thickness and strength, fibered coatings tend to last longer as compared to non-fibered roof coatings.
Fibered Roof coatings can combat various factors that are pretty known to cause roof damage and this, in turn, extends their durability.
On the other hand, non-fibered aluminum roof coatings spread further on the roof; thus, not much product is used, creating a thin layer. The thin layer, in turn, does not give much protection to the roof surface compared to fibered roof coatings.
5. UV Light Reflectivity
The thickness that fibered roof coatings have ensures that they reflect almost 80% of the UV light initially hitting the flat roof’s surface. This, in turn, will ensure your roof is protected from tears and cracks, thus serving you the longest.
Non-fibered coatings also reflect UV light but not as much as fibered roof coatings. Again, the reason behind this tracks back to their thinness. The reflective properties of the aluminum are the ones responsible for the protection of the roof against the sun’s UV rays.
6. Insulation Abilities
A fibered roof coating is best known for its insulating and preventing heat transfer from the sun into your house. They are known to maintain cool temperatures even during hot summers.
This can be traced back to their ability to reflect UV rays, preventing heat from being absorbed into the structure underneath, thus causing your roof to heat up and warm your home.
Since the non-fibered coatings cannot reflect much UV rays from the sun, this may not be the case. Why? The spread-out thin layer of the non-fibered roof coating cannot offer to provide good insulation; you may notice your home is still getting warmer due to poor insulation from the sun’s heat.
7. Energy Efficiency
The reflective coating in fibered coatings reinforces the strength, thus protecting low and steep slope roofs from harmful UV rays damage and at the same time supporting overall energy efficiency. Fibered Roof coating generally saves up to 2% in energy costs.
Energy efficiency may not be the case for non-fibered aluminum roof coating due to their low reflective coating, thus offering low protection against UV rays.
8. Maintenance
Maintaining your fibered roof coating will depend on several factors such as; weather conditions, air temperatures, surface conditions, and application methods.
However, you need to maintain your fibered roof coating at least twice a year and as soon as possible after heavy weather events such as storms, snow or ice, and heavy winds. Why so?
For instance, heavy winds across the roof can lift the membrane and further cause fluttering, which later puts stress on seams and joints. Instead, you could try the fibered black roof coating; a protective coating formulated to provide a tough and weather-resistant film.
The same criteria also apply to non-fibered roof coatings. In addition, you need to maintain the roof coating by ensuring proper roof maintenance at least two times a year and as soon as possible after extreme weather events.
Fibered vs. Non Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating: Which one is Better
There has been a significant increase in the use of roof coatings in the past few years, which could be linked to environmental concerns and technological advancements.
Roof coatings have been used to restore existing roof systems, reflect ultraviolet radiation and act as a surfacing that shields the roof membrane from erosion. I believe this article was helpful enough in helping you make the perfect choice for your roof.