Dos and Don'ts When Painting Your Metal Roofing

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If your metal roofing is looking worse for wear, a fresh coat of paint may be all it needs to spruce up its appearance. However, an assumption some people make is that to do this you simply need to grab the first can of paint you come across and get to painting. In reality, there are several considerations to bear in mind to make sure that you do not make mistakes that would compromise your paint job. So what are some of the dos and don'ts to keep in mind when painting your metal roofing?

Do not reuse leftover paint supplies

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is rushing to collect paint cans that were leftover from their previous painting projects. What they are not considering is that paint that has been designed for the exterior and interior walls would not be suitable for painting metal roofing. Instead, it is recommended to invest in a specialised paint that will be used specifically for your roof. Specialised paints will offer an array of qualities that will help in prolonging the lifespan of your roofing. For example, you can find some metal roof paints that have fire resistant properties, which would be ideal for homes that could be at risk of exposure to bushfires. On the other hand, you could consider water resistant paints that would protect your metal roofing from premature water damage.

Do apply a sealant

Although paint does provide a protective layer for your metal roofing, this does not mean that you should do away with roofing sealant. By not applying a sealant, you pose the risk of premature paint deterioration, which would lead to you having to repaint your roof after a short period. The sealants also function to prolong the life of the metal roofing itself as it chemically bonds to its surface, hence preventing undue weathering, corrosion and more. It should be noted that just as you should select paint that is suited for metal roofing, so should you pick your sealant based on the type of paint applied. The various sealants available will have differing ingredients, which could react with some paints.

Do invest in energy efficient paint

Most homeowners will assume that paint only functions to boost the aesthetics of your roof. In reality, paint can also function to enhance the energy efficiency of your roofing. If you would like to decrease energy loss in your home, you should look for paints containing acrylic or titanium dioxide. The increased thickness of these paints will not only prevent thermal loss, but their reflective surface ensures your roof is not susceptible to thermal gain.

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16 May 2017

Repairing or Replacing a Roof

Hello, welcome to my roofing blog, my name is John and I live in Alice Springs, Australia. I recently moved out here with my wife and two kids to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. We bought an old farmhouse and are in the process of renovating it. The place needs quite a bit of work. One of the biggest jobs so far has been sorting out the roof. It was missing a few tiles and I couldn't decide if we should try and repair it or if it would be better to have it repaired. Thankfully, my neighbour is something of an expert. He came and inspected the roof and recommended that we replace it. He explain how roofing works and the benefits of using different materials. I have learnt so much, I decided to start this blog.