What is roof paint, and why is it important?

Roof paint is a fluid applied to the topmost membrane of the roof. It has elasticity features that allow it to stretch and return to its former shape as the weather changes. It is applied to protect the underlying roof from damage by infrared and ultraviolet rays of the sun, hailstorms, rain, rust and physical damage.

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What are the Benefits of Roof Painting?

Long Roof Life – As long as you choose the right kind of paint for your roof, it will be a while until you need to repaint the roof or overhaul it. Painting prevents the growth of Algae and Lichens. No untoward plant growths can be sustained on such a roof which means leaks and damage are avoided. This saves costs in repairs and, where there are cases of widespread growth, wholesale roof replacement.

Increased savings – Once you have painted your roof, you will save a lot of money on repairs, especially on metal roofs that start to rust due to the vagaries of weather.

Improves the Value of the House – The first thing anyone sees when they enter a property is the roof of a house, and why not bolster and protect your investment?

Improved Aesthetics – Painting your roof enhances not only the value of your home but also its beauty. There is a wide range of colours and brands in the market to choose from.

Enhances Energy Consumption Efficiency – The reflective and emissive properties of a painted roof decrease the temperature inside your house, thereby ensuring that the load taken by the HVAC system is significantly reduced.

Microclimate Management – If your roof’s slope is low, then the paint has properties that ensure that the water collecting on the roof doesn’t lead to structural deterioration, wet insulation, leaks or premature roof replacement.

Tools and Equipment Used in Roof Painting

How To Paint A Roof

It does not matter if your roof is tiled or corrugated; painting it will add value to your home. However, to get the job completed safely and economically, you will need to prepare the roof and use the right equipment.

How to Clean Your Roof In Preparation for Painting

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Choose an overcast and calm day – Dry weather leads to quick drying of the solution before it can be used. Also, choose a day with little wind so that when you spray the solution, it stays on your roof.

Repair and maintain your roof – To minimise roof damage, ensure you have repaired loose shingles or flashings. You will also need to clean the downspouts and gutters since you will need them when draining the solution off your roof.

Keep your yard out of it – Ensure your work area is free of any furniture. If you opt to use a bleaching solution, cover your yard to avoid ruining your plants.

Remove debris on the roof – Get rid of the leaves, twigs, and anything else that might get in your way when painting your roof. You can either use an air blower sweep them off, or pick them up with your hand.

How to Get Rid of Moss and Algae

Use an eco-friendly cleaning solution – Mix the specialised eco-friendly roof cleaners in a 1:1 ratio with water. Note that bleach is harmful to both roofs and plants, and since eco-friendly solutions might be expensive, you have an alternative to bleach, but it should be heavily diluted with water.

Use your garden hose to spray the solution – Always start from the bottom up, ensuring that all your shingles are soaked in water. Pour the solution into the sprayer and repeat the process. If you begin to see runoff, stop.

Use the sprayer to rinse off the solution – Here, you will use the high-pressure nozzle to get rid of the solutions in the shingles. Note: You may be required to reapply the solution when there are deep stains

Tiled roof preparation – Ensure you replace any cracked or broken tiles on your roof. Sometimes, the ridge around the capping might be damaged. Remove it, and then reapply the new mortar before putting the capping in place. Don’t start painting until the mortar is dry.

Corrugated roof preparation – A corrugated roof is best cleaned using a degreaser. If you have an unpainted sheet or your entire roof has not been painted, apply a coat of primer, give it time to dry, and then apply the paint.

How to Choose Your Roof’s Paint

Get the total area of the roof that you want to be painted, and then buy enough paint to apply on the roof twice. But before you buy the paint, you will need to consider a few things;

• Climate and geography matter – The colour of your roof affects the temperature inside your house. If you use light tones on your roof, you will reflect sunlight, thereby keeping your rooms’ temperature down. If you live in hot climates, you should consider light colours. Contrastingly, those who live in temperate regions will need dark shades that absorb sunlight and thereby keep the rooms warm. Dark shades on the roof ensure that the snow melts quickly.
• What is the colour’s psychological effect – Different colours have different psychological effects on people. The shade of your roof can have a soothing, exciting or calming effect on you.
• Shingle colour coordination – The colour on your bricks, wooden siding, stone, concrete or trim should complement the paint colour you choose. For example, a black roof will complement a blue house, whereas a brown roof looks great on a tan or cream-painted house. Yellow, red, and green are more flexible than colours such as black, brown or grey.

What is your architectural style? – Consider the materials used: masonry, stone veneer, wood logs, wood or vinyl siding. Is the paint colour going to match?

• Consider your house’s resale value – A bold, bright roof colour may be great for your taste, but it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. If you plan to sell your home shortly, go with a more neutral roofing material to protect your resale value.
• Are you trying to make a statement? – Are you going to pick an unusual colour combination for your home, or if you want to be more traditional?
• Neighbourhood considerations – What do your homeowner’s association and subdivision rules and covenants dictate? It’s also advisable if you paint your house in a colour that will not clash with your neighbour’s roof.
• Are the colours available in your area? – The paint colour/brand you want might be unavailable in your region.
• Always check what the colour looks like in a virtual environment before you use it in real life.

How to Paint a Corrugated Roof

There are paints in the market that are specifically made for metal roofs. They look better and protect the metal roofs from the elements. You are well advised to use an airless sprayer to finish your paint job quickly. You can also use paint rollers that are shaped like the corrugated iron. Some parts of the roof, such as corners and ridge caps, will require you to paint using a brush.

How to Paint a Corrugated Roof

Buy paint that is specifically designed for tiled roofs because they adhere better and hold up against the elements. You are well advised to use an airless sprayer to finish your paint job quickly. You can also use paint rollers that are shaped like tiles. Some parts of the roof, such as corners and ridge caps, will require you to paint using a brush.

How to Paint the Roof Safely

• Never work alone on the roof
• Always wear work boots, a protective hard hat and safety glasses
• Ensure that the ladder you use is secured solidly in the ground as well as on a level surface.
• Fasten a safety harness around your waist and tie it to something sturdy enough to support your weight in case of an accident.