Key Takeaways

• • Cost-Effective Solution: Roof restoration can save you 50-70% compared to a full roof replacement, offering a budget-friendly way to extend your roof’s life.

  • Long-Term Benefits: Restoration can add 10-20 years to the lifespan of your commercial roof, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

  • Energy Efficiency: Roof restoration systems enhance your building’s energy efficiency by reflecting up to 90% of UV rays, reducing cooling costs by up to 20%.

  • Minimal Disruption: Unlike full roof replacements, roof restoration is faster and causes less disruption to your business operations.

  • Environmentally Friendly: Restoration is a sustainable option, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and helping meet environmental goals.

  • Tailored Services from Steel Rudder Roofing: Steel Rudder Roofing offers expert roof restoration services in Jacksonville, ensuring top-quality care and long-lasting results for your property.

  • Proactive Maintenance: Regular roof inspections and maintenance can prevent costly repairs and ensure your roof continues to perform effectively

Roof restoration is the process of renewing an existing roof to its original condition using elastomeric coatings. These coatings are highly flexible and form a seamless, watertight membrane over the roof, protecting it from leaks, UV radiation, and general wear and tear. Unlike roof replacement, where the old roofing material is removed and a new roof is installed, restoration is a less invasive option that extends the life of your current roof without a full tear-off.

Roof restoration is ideal for commercial buildings with metal roofs, modified bitumen, PVC, TPO, EPDM, concrete, or spray polyurethane foam roofing systems.

• Longer Life: Roof restoration can extend a commercial roof’s life by 10-20 years, keeping your roof functional well beyond its usual 20-25-year lifespan.

• Reapplication: Restoration coatings can be reapplied every 10-15 years, allowing a roof to last 50 years or more with proper maintenance.

• Lower Repair Costs: Restoring your roof prevents common issues like leaks and UV damage, reducing the need for costly repairs.

• Cost-Effective: Regular restorations maintain roof performance, reducing long-term maintenance costs and helping save on energy bills.

• Roof restoration prevents old roofing materials from ending up in landfills, reducing waste.
• Requires fewer materials, making it a more sustainable option than full roof replacement.
• Supports green building initiatives and certifications like LEED.
• Helps extend the life of existing roofs, reducing the environmental impact of new materials.

Whether you need roof restoration, residential roof services, or a custom maintenance plan for your business, Steel Rudder Roofing has the expertise to get the job done right. Let us extend the life of your roof with expert care and top-quality materials.

A roof restoration project involves a series of detailed steps to ensure that the roof receives a durable, protective, and long-lasting finish. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of each stage in the roof restoration process, from the initial inspection to the final top coat application.

One of the most vulnerable areas on any roof is the joints, seams, and penetrations, such as vents, chimneys, drains, and HVAC equipment mounts. To reinforce these weak points and ensure the roof is watertight:

• Reinforcing seams and joints: A high-quality, flexible, waterproof sealant (often a mastic or silicone-based sealant) is applied to all roof seams, fasteners, and other potential leak points. These areas are prone to separating over time due to temperature fluctuations and settling of the building structure. This step also prevents water from seeping into the interior, which could damage insulation and lead to costly repairs.
• Applying fabric reinforcement: For roofs with extensive seams or those prone to movement (such as metal roofs), a fabric mesh may be embedded into the sealant to provide additional strength and flexibility. This fabric allows the roof to move slightly while still remaining sealed, offering enhanced durability during extreme weather events. It also reduces the likelihood of cracks forming, ensuring the roof remains intact even during seasonal expansions and contractions.
• Penetration sealing: Around roof penetrations like exhaust pipes, vents, and skylights, specialized sealants or flashings are applied to prevent leaks. These penetrations are typically surrounded by curbs or flashing materials, and adding sealants ensures these areas are watertight. Extra care is taken to layer the sealant evenly to avoid weak spots that could compromise protection over time.

Proper sealing of joints and penetrations prevents future leaks and extends the life of the roof by protecting these critical areas from water damage.

The top coat is the final and most important layer in the roof restoration process. It provides protection against UV rays, weather, and moisture, ensuring that the roof remains durable and energy-efficient for years to come.

• Reflective coatings: Most top coats are designed to be highly reflective, meaning they reflect a significant portion of the sun’s UV rays. This helps to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the roof, which in turn lowers the building’s internal temperature and reduces cooling costs. Many commercial roof restorations use white or light-colored top coats for maximum reflectivity.
• Waterproofing: The top coat also acts as a waterproof barrier, preventing rain, snow, and ice from penetrating the roof’s surface. This helps to reduce the risk of leaks and extends the life of the roof.
• Durability and wear resistance: Top coats are designed to withstand foot traffic, wind, and harsh weather conditions. Depending on the type of coating used, additional layers can be applied to high-traffic areas to improve durability. Polyurethane or silicone coatings, for example, are known for their strength and long-lasting performance.
• Multiple layers (if necessary): Depending on the roof type and the environmental conditions it will be exposed to, multiple top coat layers may be applied to ensure maximum protection. Each layer is allowed to dry fully before the next one is applied, ensuring a seamless, protective membrane.

Once the top coat has been applied and allowed to cure, a final inspection is performed to ensure the roof restoration has been completed to the highest standards. This inspection checks for any areas that may need additional coating, particularly around seams and penetrations.

• Warranty and documentation: After the final inspection, the roofing contractor provides documentation of the project and typically offers a warranty for the roof restoration. These warranties can range from 10 to 20 years, depending on the materials used and the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Maintenance plan: To maximize the lifespan of the restored roof, regular maintenance is essential. Most roofing contractors offer maintenance plans that include routine inspections (typically every 1-2 years), cleaning, and minor repairs. Staying on top of maintenance helps prevent small issues from becoming costly problems and extends the life of the roof.

The best time to restore your roof is before any noticeable issues begin to surface. Over time, daily exposure to the elements gradually wears down your roof, making a proactive approach essential. Acting early in the roof’s lifecycle ensures the restoration system will deliver long-term success and optimal performance.

For a roof to qualify for restoration, the underlying structure must be sound, with no wet or saturated insulation present. While some rust or corrosion is acceptable on metal roofs, it should not compromise the structural integrity or strength of the panels.

If these conditions are met, your roof is likely a strong candidate for a restoration coating system. However, each roofing situation is unique, and additional factors may influence the suitability of this option.

Pro Tip: To confirm if your roof is suitable for restoration, performing an adhesion test patch is highly recommended. This ensures the coating will adhere properly and deliver lasting protection.

At Steel Rudder Roofing, we specialize in comprehensive roof restoration and maintenance services for both residential and commercial properties. Whether you’re looking for a custom-designed roof that complements your home’s style or a durable, energy-efficient solution to reduce your bills, we’ve got you covered. Our commercial roofing services are designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations. With our Commercial Roofing Maintenance Plan, we provide proactive care with regular inspections and upkeep to avoid unexpected repairs and extend the lifespan of your roof.

Choose Steel Rudder Roofing for high-quality, reliable, and long-lasting roofing solutions in Jacksonville, FL.

Contact us today at (904) 555-1234 or visit our website for a free consultation. Let us handle all your roofing needs!