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ARMORTHANE PROTECTING YOUR WORLD

PROTECTING YOUR WORLD

ARMORTHANE PROTECTING YOUR WORLD

Polyurea Roof
Coating: Seamless
Commercial Roofing

How spray polyurea roof coatings work on metal, concrete, foam and built-up roofs, how they compare with silicone and acrylic, and when a polyurea roof is worth it.
Polyurea Roof Quotes

Leaking or worn-out commercial roof? Get a seamless fix.

Tell us the roof type, size and condition. We will connect you with a certified applicator who can survey and quote.

  • Roof type: metal, concrete, foam, built-up
  • Approximate square footage
  • Leaks, rust or ponding
  • Rooftop equipment and traffic
Rather talk now? Call (417) 831-5090
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Seconds
Gel time: no runs on slopes or parapets
Product data sheets
40–80+ mils
Typical membrane, built in multiple passes
Typical specs
100%
Solids: wet and dry thickness match
Product data sheets
Aliphatic
Topcoat for color and UV stability
Product data sheets

Polyurea roof coatings are sprayed as a liquid and cure in seconds into a seamless, rubber-tough membrane. That makes polyurea one of the few roof coatings that can be built thick in a single visit, handle foot traffic and hail-type impact, and survive ponding areas that break down some water-based coatings. It is not the cheapest roof coating, and it needs a trained crew with plural-component equipment. Here is where it makes sense.

Quick answer

A polyurea roof coating is a spray-applied, 100%-solids elastomeric membrane, usually 40 to 80 mils or more, that cures in seconds and bonds to prepared metal, concrete, spray foam and many existing roofs. Compared with acrylic and silicone, it is tougher and more abrasion and impact resistant and can build thicker in one visit, but it costs more and needs specialized equipment. Exposed aromatic polyurea is usually topcoated with an aliphatic or UV-stable coating to hold color and reflectivity.

What's in this guide
  1. 1How it works
  2. 2Polyurea vs silicone vs acrylic
  3. 3When it fits
  4. 4Installation
  5. 5Cost factors
  6. 6FAQ
Start here

How a polyurea roof coating works

Two liquid components, an isocyanate and a resin blend, are heated and mixed at high pressure in the spray gun. They react within seconds into an elastic film that is fully adhered to the roof. Because it gels so fast, the crew can spray parapets, curbs, penetrations and the field of the roof as one continuous membrane with no seams.

Metal

Metal roofs

Seals laps, fasteners and rusted panels; adds impact resistance. Rust is treated and primed first.

Concrete

Concrete decks and roofs

Bridges hairline cracks and waterproofs plaza decks and parking roofs where traffic matters.

Foam

Over spray foam

A tough protective skin over SPF roofing. See spray foam roofing.

Compare

Polyurea vs silicone vs acrylic roof coatings

PropertyPolyureaSiliconeAcrylic
Typical thickness40–80+ mils in one visit20–30 mils20–30 mils in multiple coats
CureSeconds to minutesMoisture cure, hoursWater evaporation, weather dependent
Impact and foot trafficExcellentFair; soft and slippery when wetFair
Ponding waterGood with proper productGoodPoor; softens under standing water
UV stabilityAromatic yellows; use aliphatic topcoatExcellentGood
RecoatabilityRecoat with compatible primerOnly silicone sticks to siliconeEasy
EquipmentPlural-component heated proportionerAirless sprayer or rollerAirless sprayer or roller
Relative costHighestMediumLowest
Typical values. See our roof coating guide for every coating type.
Worth it?

When polyurea is the right roof coating

Good fit

High-traffic roofs

Roofs with rooftop units, frequent service visits or plaza use.

Good fit

Hail and impact areas

Thick, elastic film resists puncture and bruising better than thin coatings.

Good fit

Fast turnaround

Occupied buildings where the roof must be watertight the same day.

Good fit

Complex details

Many penetrations, curbs and parapets sealed as one seamless membrane.

Consider alternatives

Tight budgets, simple roofs

A silicone or acrylic restoration may cost less on a simple, low-traffic roof.

Check first

Wet insulation

Coatings do not fix saturated insulation. Do a moisture survey and replace wet areas first.

Do it right

Polyurea roof installation steps

  1. Inspect and survey

    Core cuts or infrared moisture scan to find wet insulation, plus a check of seams, drains and details.

  2. Repair

    Replace wet insulation, fix damaged decking, treat rust on metal and reattach loose panels.

  3. Clean

    Pressure wash and remove chalking, dirt and loose coatings.

  4. Prime

    Apply the primer specified for the substrate.

  5. Detail

    Spray or reinforce seams, fasteners, penetrations and transitions.

  6. Spray the field

    Apply polyurea in multiple passes to the specified thickness; verify with wet and dry checks.

  7. Topcoat

    Apply an aliphatic or UV-stable reflective topcoat where specified.

Budget

Polyurea roof coating cost factors

  • Roof condition: wet insulation, rust and failing seams add repair cost before any coating.
  • Thickness: more mils means more material; specs vary by warranty length.
  • Topcoat: aliphatic and reflective topcoats add a second material.
  • Access and details: many penetrations, steep slopes and tall buildings add labor.

See our roof coating cost guide for current price ranges across coating types, and compare with polyurethane roof coatings.

Polyurea roofing

One seamless membrane, sprayed in a day.

A certified ArmorThane applicator can survey your roof and quote a polyurea system with the right primer, thickness and topcoat.

Get a free quoteFind an applicator

Contractors: become an ArmorThane applicator

FAQ

Polyurea roof coating questions

Is polyurea good for roofs?

Yes, where toughness, foot traffic, impact and fast turnaround matter. It forms a thick, seamless membrane that cures in seconds. On simple, low-traffic roofs, silicone or acrylic may be more economical.

How long does a polyurea roof coating last?

A properly applied polyurea roof system commonly lasts 15 to 20 years or more, depending on thickness, topcoat, roof condition and maintenance.

Does polyurea roof coating need a topcoat?

Aromatic polyurea changes color and chalks in sunlight, so exposed roofs usually get an aliphatic or UV-stable reflective topcoat.

Can polyurea go over a metal roof?

Yes. Clean the panels, treat and prime rust, seal fasteners and seams, then spray the membrane over the whole roof.

Is polyurea better than silicone roof coating?

Polyurea is tougher and builds thicker in one pass; silicone has excellent UV and ponding resistance and costs less but is soft and only accepts silicone recoats. The right choice depends on traffic, budget and roof condition.

AT
Written by the ArmorThane technical team. We have manufactured polyurea, polyurethane and polyaspartic coatings, spray foam and plural-component spray equipment in Springfield, Missouri since 1989. Roof system selection should follow the building owner requirements, local code and the manufacturer specification.

Sources

  1. Cool Roof Rating Council, roof product ratings. coolroofs.org
  2. ASTM D6083 and related standards for liquid-applied roof coatings. astm.org
  3. Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, SPF roofing resources. sprayfoam.org

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Seamless roofs that take a beating.

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