What if I told you there was another option to paying for a full roof replacement? A Silicone Restoration Membrane (SRM) can save you time and money when facing a commercial roof project.
Here at West Roofing Systems, we’ve been restoring commercial roof systems to working order while saving facility owners and managers thousands of dollars in repairs and roof replacements.
Real World Silicone Restoration Membrane Story
We recently had a customer interested in replacing their existing Single-Ply EPDM Membrane roof system with a new EPDM Membrane. While we provided a proposal for the replacement of the existing EPDM roof system, we also gave them an option to install a Silicone Restoration Membrane (SRM).
The cost of the SRM was 45% of the cost of the full replacement. Additionally, we were able to provide a 15-year full system manufacturer’s warranty and cut down the project time by 30%. It was a very easy decision on their owner’s part for the SRM installation in lieu of a roof replacement.
Silicone Restoration Membrane Installation
A Silicone Restoration Membrane (SRM) is a fluid applied silicone coating sprayed directly onto an existing roof system. The process of installing a silicone restoration membrane is relatively straightforward.
1. Inspection and Repairs
First, an infrared inspection should be performed to see if there are any saturated areas of insulation under the membrane. After those saturated areas have been removed and replaced, the entire roof surface is power washed clean to remove any contaminants.
After the roof membrane is washed, an adhesion test should be performed to determine whether a primer is required for the silicone membrane to adhere to the roof membrane surface. Most roof membranes will require some type of primer but it is best to verify with an adhesion test.
Read More: Do I Need a Commercial Roof Inspection or Survey?
2. Seam Reinforcement
After the primer has been installed, the seams of the membrane are then reinforced. There are two common types of seam reinforcement.
- Installing a polyester reinforced mesh into a liquid top coating and then an additional silicone coating after the topcoat has cured.
- To reinforce the seams, flashings, and penetrations with a self-adhering, reinforcing tape that would then receive a liquid topcoat.
3. Silicone Application
Once all of the miscellaneous repairs have been performed to the existing roof system, the silicone membrane is simply sprayed on or roller applied over the entire surface of the roof. Different manufacturers require different coating thicknesses. In some cases, only a single layer is required, which saves additional dollars in reduced labor costs.
4. Warranty
After the silicone coating membrane has been completed, a final inspection will be performed by a third-party or the manufacturer’s representative to verify that all the necessary repairs were performed properly and that the silicone is applied accurately. When the repairs and silicone membrane coating are approved, the final warranty is issued.
Benefits of a Silicone Restoration Membrane
People choose a silicone restoration membrane over re-roofing for numerous reasons. There are many benefits to a facility owner/ manager installing a Silicone Restoration Membrane:
- Cost Savings – One of the top benefits of a Silicone Restoration Membrane is the cost savings. As long as the existing roof substrate is dry and stable, no roof removal is required. In this case, we make preventative repairs to the existing system and install a brand-new silicone coating that acts like waterproof roof system over the existing substrate.
- Considered Maintenance – The Silicone Restoration Membrane provides a new waterproofing membrane over the existing roof membrane, which is considered a maintenance application in lieu of roof replacement. This means that the coating application can be done many times without adding additional roof systems, that would eventually require removal per building codes.
- Short Project Duration – Another benefit to the SRM system is that it is installed very quickly reducing any disruptions to the facility operations.
- Energy Efficient – Most installations utilize a bright white coating application, this reduces energy costs and as part of the energy star cool roof solution, solvent free silicone coating’s help conserve energy and extend the life cycle of your existing roof. Using white silicone roof coating can save building energy used by as much as 15 to 35%.
What Makes a Roof Eligible for a Silicone Restoration Membrane?
A Silicone Restoration Membrane is a great alternative to replacing a commercial roof. Unfortunately, not all roofing systems are eligible for the re-roofing alternatives.
For an existing roof system to be eligible for an SRM installation, the roof needs to be in better condition than most roofs at the end of their serviceable life. Some signs of a roof in good condition include:
- The seams of the existing membrane are relatively intact
- The field of the roof has been properly maintained over its life
- Less than 25% of the underlined substrate and insulation is wet (It is still cost-effective to do spot replacement of small saturated areas rather than a complete replacement.)
Silicone Restoration Membranes are an eco-friendly, cost effective, alternative to replace your commercial roofing facility. Contact West Roofing Systems today to talk to our expert staff about your future SRM system.
