UV Rays and Your Roof
When most people think of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, they consider the toll it can take on their skin. Think about sunburn and skin cancer. Those can be the results of the UV radiation we get from spending too much time in the sun. Those same harmful rays are also constantly beating down on your home, RV, camper, etc. This constant barrage of UV rays alters the chemical makeup and slowly deteriorates your roof’s surface. In this blog we will look into UV rays and your roof, why they are so damaging, and how CMC Silicone roof coatings can help alleviate this damage.
What are UV Rays?
This online medical dictionary explains that UV radiation is essentially invisible energy that comes from the sun. There are three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC is the most dangerous type of ultraviolet light, but it cannot penetrate earth's protective ozone layer. Therefore, it poses no threat on earth. The two other types, UVA and UVB, do penetrate the ozone layer and reach our planet’s surface.
What Negative Affects Can UV Rays Have on Your Property?
Prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage roofs in several ways. Two of the most well-known are:
- Premature Aging – Roofs with limited protection against UV rays tend to show signs of aging much earlier. Curling, cupping, and cracks are common on aged roof systems. These damaged areas allow water into your property and could eventually lead to major damage.
- Internal Building Temperature – UV rays in hotter climates can seriously affect a building’s internal temperatures. This is especially the case if the roof is dark in color. Darker colors absorb UV rays more rapidly, therefore heating up anything that is covered in a dark color more rapidly. A hotter building leads to increased use of air conditioners, which leads to increased energy output and higher energy bills.
How Does Countryman Coatings Alleviate These Issues?
If your roof is aging or failing but in good structural condition, Countryman Coatings (CMC) can help. CMC’s Top Coat Silicone can easily be applied via roller, brush, or spray equipment directly to most roof surfaces.
White Top Coat Silicone reflects nearly 90% of UV rays on your home’s flat roof. This limits the damaging affect those rays will have on your home. This will also lower your home’s internal temperature if the current roof is a darker color. Additionally, the seamless membrane created by the Top Coat leaves nothing to be “broken down” by UV rays. With seams and flashing gaps gone, the UV rays will simply be bouncing off the silicone surface, leaving you with a roof substrate that can last decades.
If you’re an RV enthusiast, CMC’s Silicone Top Coat is a great way to restore your roof without breaking the bank. It’s estimated that replacing the entire roof of a 30-foot-long RV could cost more than $9,000. Do-it-yourselfers could apply Countryman Coatings to restore the roof at a fraction of the cost. Most people can even restore their entire RV with CMC Silicone in one day. When applied appropriately, you can expect to get up to 20 more years out of your RV roof using CMC silicone roof coatings.
Conclusion
The damaging affects UV rays can have on your property can be serious. Over time, exposure to the sun will take its toll on your home or RV and can lead to serious damage. Using CMC, you can mitigate the damage of UV rays and strengthen your current roof. You will also eliminate seams, eliminating the most common areas for water to penetrate your roof. If you are interested in learning more about CMC’s Silicone Top Coat, you can click here.