A BUYER'S GUIDE TO PROTECTING YOUR ROOF WITH ROOF SEALANT

Roof sealants not only cover roof leaks but also provide a protective layer to prevent water and sunlight penetration. These sealants come in many forms, including liquid in a paint can, liquid in a spray can, liquid in a caulk gun, and adhesive tape. They’re also made of a variety of materials, including rubber and polyurethane.

Types of Roof Sealants

Sealants are separated into five categories based on what they’re made of.

Acrylic

Acrylic sealants are designed to deflect UV rays, making them popular in the South and West where roof sun damage is common. They also have a moderate amount of moisture resistance, making them best for sloped roofs because flat roofs tend to create pools of water that acrylic isn’t strong enough to withstand.

Polyurethane

This material is highly resistant to water but not as resistant to sunlight, making it best for areas that get a lot of rain and snow as opposed to sunshine.

Silicone

Silicon-based sealants offer both water and sunlight protection, making them good for protecting your roof from any weather conditions. The main downside to this type of sealant is that it’s expensive, preventing it from being financially feasible for homeowners on a budget to buy enough of it to cover their entire roof.

Rubber

This type of sealant comes in a liquid form of rubber. It’s usually water-based to thin the rubber and make it easier to apply. It protects against both sun and rain.

Tape

While most other options are liquid, this type of sealant comes as strips of moisture-resistant material. It has an adhesive backing that you stick onto the roof to cover minor leaks or seal seams. It’s an affordable sealant option, but because of its small size, it’s not meant to cover an entire roof.

Buying Guide

Each roof sealant will vary in terms of water resistance, UV reflectivity, longevity, and application. Read our buyer’s guide below to learn more about these factors, as this will help inform your purchasing decision.

Water Resistance

Every sealant provides some level of water resistance, but rubber, silicone, and polyurethane have a waterproof quality, allowing your covered roof to withstand heavy rain and standing water. However, in order to create a completely waterproof barrier, your sealant will require several layers. 

Longevity

Each sealant has a varying lifespan, but most last 10-20 years. Tape sealants last this long with one layer of tape, but the remaining liquid types may require several coats, as a thicker coating lasts longer. Proper application is another factor that affects longevity. If you don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions, you’ll decrease the sealant’s life.

Application

Different sealants have different application methods. The tape type of sealant has a self-explanatory application process, but the remaining types may come in a paint can, spray can, or caulk tube. 

Shop with us today.  Our stores are conveniently located in Corinth 450-7247, Vide Bouteille 450-7246, Monchy 450-7248, or Babonneau for all your roofing supplies.