Liquid roofing has become increasingly popular. Used by builders and roofing contractors alike, liquid roofing is the go-to roofing system. There’s a variety of high-quality products and solutions on the market today, but liquid roofing takes the lead. Unlike felt, bitumen membranes and asphalt, liquid roofing doesn’t require heat; this makes it a much safer alternative.
It can be challenging trying to find a reliable, hard-wearing system to protect your flat roof, but liquid roofing is long-lasting and durable, providing excellent results for users. A smart, seamless appearance can be achieved with liquid roofing, thanks to its adaptability to tedious curvatures and awkward-shaped flat structures.
Although flat roofs get a bad reputation in some cases, they’re most efficient and convenient when built correctly. More homes are opting for the sleek and modern appearance that flat roofs have to offer, which leads to the popularity of liquid solutions.
Homes across the globe are taking advantage of the long list of benefits that come with liquid solutions; they’re simple to apply, can be used on an array of other flat surfaces such as balconies and walkways and offer longevity and robustness.
The process of applying liquid roofing is relatively straightforward, even more so if you have previous experience using these types of products. To find out more about liquid roof coatings and the installation process, continue reading.
Liquid Roofing
Liquid roofing involves the application of a fully bonded, liquid coating to a flat surface. There are many advantages to using liquid coatings, which is what makes the solution so popular today. As times progressed, liquid roofing applications overtook traditional materials, encouraging more homeowners and businesses to use liquid roofing across their homes and commercial buildings.
The liquid solution cures to form a rubber-like, waterproof membrane, that fully protects your home with the ability to withstand the harsh weather conditions that we experience here in the UK. Choosing liquid roofing is a potentially less expensive option than having to replace or refurbish an existing roof.
This makes liquid roofing a cost-effective method of making both a new and existing roof fully waterproof. With liquid roof coatings comes a great level of protection and safety; unlike other installations, liquid roofing doesn’t require hot equipment, which ultimately eliminates fire risks.
Generally, liquid roofing applications are a simplified procedure, that offers both fast curing and resistance. Overall, the advantageous benefits of liquid roofing make it one of the best choices of roofing materials to go for.
The History of Liquid Roof Coatings
In the early 1800s, natural bitumen materials were combined with other various materials to create waterproof solutions. As time went on and new solutions were trialled and tested, liquid roof coatings evolved massively.
It wasn’t until the period between 1910 to 1920 that bitumen waterproofing slowly moved into the factory. Fast forward to 1940, rubber technology was first used to create strong coatings; this is around the time the addition of reinforced fibres was added to better the waterproofing membrane.
As time went on, various coatings were re-developed, using resin technologies and reactive acrylics. This eventually improved the overall quality and durability of the liquid coating industry. In 1975, the first water-based roof coating was released across the UK market.
From 1975, liquid roof coatings saw many changes; in the late 80s, liquid roofing gained its first recognition and was seen as a system that was specifically designed for the roofing market. This was a huge milestone in the history of liquid coatings, as the solutions were always known for being used for the purpose of boat building.
Once we entered a new century, liquid roofing was widely recognised. In 2007, the first BBA Certificate was issued for a cold-applied warm roof system. This signified the drive for quality within the liquid roofing industry.
The Process of Liquid Roof Coatings
The installation procedure is complex and should only be performed by trained professionals if you want to achieve the best results. It’s important to ensure your area is clean and tidy prior to installation; this way, you’ll be able to work with a clear, dry and structurally sound surface to attain a seamless application.
It’s crucial to have the correct equipment ready, including PPE, rollers, paint brushes, mixing buckets and acetone to name a few. Depending on the products your contractor will use, the process of liquid roofing can vary.
Typically, multiple coats are applied to your flat roof structure, including a primer, top layer and reinforced fibre layers; when these coatings are applied, a waterproof, protective barrier is formed. When liquid roofing is applied, deep cracks and upstands can be fixed, making liquid systems ideal for roof repair, too.
A roller brush is used to spread the coatings across the surface area, but it’s recommended that smaller paint brushes be used in smaller areas that offer a more difficult application. It’s vital that you time your application correctly; the rubber membrane needs to cure efficiently, meaning it’s important to ensure your coating has been applied at the right time.
Finding Liquid Roof Coatings on the Market
It isn’t easy knowing which liquid roofing solution to choose, especially when there are so many available on the market in the UK today. At Restec, we have a wide range of high-performance liquid roofing systems that are sold across the merchant market up and down the country. Our expertise, hard work and dedication have allowed us to create one-of-a-kind applications like no other.
The support and popularity that we’ve seen in recent years have given us the chance to better our already outstanding solutions. As a team, we’re driven by the amount of quality feedback we receive. Our flagship liquid roofing product, Flexitec 2020, is a flexible, single resin GRP system that has revolutionised the liquid roofing industry greatly.
Flexitec 2020 provides customers with a seamless and tough membrane that’s designed to last. It’s highly versatile, with the capability of being able to cover virtually all common surfaces. Per coat, you can expect a short 30 to 60-minute cure time, providing you with a rapid installation.
If you’d like to find out more about our selection of products or need advice on liquid roofing materials in general, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team today. You can contact us here to speak with us directly; we look forward to hearing from you soon.
