Where acrylic fits, and where it doesn't
| Roof | Acrylic? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Metal building, R-panel or PBR, sound panels | Yes, our most common use | Water sheds fast; acrylic bridges laps and fasteners and stays reflective |
| Sloped or well-drained single-ply or mod bit | Often | Good UV resistance and easy recoats |
| Flat roof with ponding | No | Standing water softens water-based coatings; use silicone or fix drainage |
| Over existing silicone | No | Acrylic won't bond to cured silicone |
| Spray foam roof | Yes, as a protective topcoat | See spray foam roofing |
Metal roof prep makes or breaks it
- Inspection and photo report. Every inspection comes with a free digital photo report, so you see what we see.
- Re-screw: replace failed fasteners with oversize screws and new washers (see exposed-fastener roofing)
- Clean and treat rust; prime rusted areas with a rust-inhibiting primer
- Seal laps, fastener heads and penetrations with seam tape or fabric and base coat
- Apply the acrylic base and top coats to the stated thickness
On a metal roof that is beyond coating, we price a retrofit or new 24- or 26-gauge panels formed on our own roll formers instead.
Weather rules for acrylic
Acrylic cures by drying, so it needs dry weather and temperatures in the manufacturer's range during and after application, with no rain or heavy dew before it skins over. In North Texas that rules out some spring storm days and cold fall mornings, so we schedule around the forecast and won't apply ahead of a storm. Silicone and urethane are less sensitive to humidity, which is one reason they get chosen on tight schedules.
Thickness, standards and warranty
Acrylic elastomeric roof coatings are covered by the ASTM D6083 standard specification. Manufacturers tie the warranty term to total dry-film thickness, usually across a base coat and a top coat, so the bid should list both. Commercial jobs carry our workmanship warranty and, where the system qualifies, a manufacturer warranty.
Acrylic vs. silicone in one line
If water runs off within hours, acrylic is usually the better value and easier to recoat. If water sits, use silicone. If the roof sees heavy traffic, look at urethane.
Bidder checklist
- Fastener replacement count or allowance, and screw size
- Rust treatment and primer named
- Lap and penetration reinforcement method
- Product, ASTM D6083 data sheet, and base and top coat thickness
- Weather and cure conditions the crew will follow
- Warranty type and term
Code sections and product standards are summarized in plain English from the published documents. Your building official and the manufacturer's current specification have the final word.
We're certified with GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Atlas, Johns Manville, Carlisle, Tropical Roofing Products, Mule-Hide and Enviroshake, and many other roof manufacturers.
Commercial warranty: a workmanship warranty from 10 years up to lifetime, depending on the job, plus both 10-year and 20-year NDL (no-dollar-limit) manufacturer warranties (the price depends on which NDL term you choose). Manufacturer coverage depends on the product and brand, and on the project qualifying for that manufacturer's program. We put the exact warranty for your roof in writing.
Certified, with 30 years installing every major roofing brand, a family roofing business going back 75 years, and over $80 million in completed roofing projects. 5.0 stars on Google at all three of our offices.
Request a free inspection or call (817) 733-9228. Small repairs are welcome too.
