For owners of commercial buildings in Kalispell, MT, metal roof restoration can protect a sound existing roof without replacing its panels. If you are evaluating the condition of your metal roof, Flag Ship Foam & Coatings offers coating-based restoration for suitable commercial metal roofs. Restoration suits some metal roofs and not others, and the decision depends on what is happening on and under the panels. For an estimate on metal roof restoration, call 208-946-3031.
To explore the proposed work further, review our metal roof restoration service and Kalispell roof coating article. Ask your contractor how the roof’s current condition affects the recommended scope.
Protect Your Investment
A metal roof is a significant investment. Metal roofs can last a long time and protect a building well, but that depends on the finish, the fasteners, the seams and the maintenance the roof receives. Over time in Kalispell’s freeze-thaw weather and sun exposure, finishes wear, fasteners loosen and small rust spots can spread.
Restoration is a way to address that wear before it turns into a replacement. A new metal roof coating can improve the roof’s condition and help slow further deterioration when the roof is a good candidate. How many added years you can expect depends on the roof, the coating system and how the roof is maintained, so ask any contractor to explain the basis for their estimate. Restoration works best alongside roof repairs and maintenance and regular inspections.
Is the Roof a Restoration Candidate?
Coating is not right for every metal roof. The table below shows the factors that usually separate a restoration candidate from a roof that needs repair or replacement first.
| Condition | Usually a restoration candidate | Usually repair or replacement first | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture | Panels, fasteners and the space below are dry, with no active leaks or only isolated leaks that can be traced and repaired | Wet or saturated insulation, or leaks that cannot be traced to a source | Coating seals the surface. It does not dry out insulation beneath the panels |
| Adhesion | Existing finish is sound, or the metal can be cleaned and primed so the coating bonds in a test area | Failing finish, heavy chalking or contamination that will not clean off | A coating is only as secure as what it bonds to |
| Substrate condition | Panels are sound, with surface rust or worn finish that can be treated, and fasteners that can be tightened or replaced | Corrosion that has gone through panels, rotten decking or structural damage | Coating does not correct rotten decking or perforated metal |
| Drainage | Water runs off the panels, gutters and drains in a reasonable time | Ponding at low spots, blocked drains or standing water at laps | Coating does not correct ponding-water drainage defects |
| Compatibility | The coating and primer suit the metal type and the existing finish | Unknown or incompatible existing coatings that cannot be tested or removed | Compatibility is confirmed before material is ordered |
Many roofs fall in between. A roof with surface rust and loose fasteners may be a candidate once those items are corrected, while a roof with widespread perforation is not. The point of the assessment is to find out before material is bought.
Preparation, Repairs and Application
Preparation and Repairs
Surface preparation decides how well a coating performs. Typical steps include cleaning the roof so the coating can bond, treating rust, and tightening or replacing loose fasteners. Seams, laps, flashings and penetrations are inspected and sealed or repaired as needed. Any panels or sections that are damaged beyond treatment are repaired or replaced first.
Application Acceptance
- Cleaning and repairs are finished and the roof is dry before coating begins.
- Primer is applied where the system calls for it, and the coating is put on at the specified coverage.
- Seams, fasteners, flashings and penetrations are coated and sealed as planned.
- The finished surface is checked for missed spots, thin areas and defects, and corrections are made.
Follow-Up Inspection
Restoration does not remove the need for inspection. A follow-up inspection after the work and routine inspections afterward help catch loose fasteners, damaged areas and wear before they spread. Records from each inspection also help you plan future maintenance.
Metal Roof Experts
At Flag Ship, our roofing specialists bring 20 years of commercial roofing experience to metal roof problems. We are familiar with these kinds of commercial roofs and focus on matching the work to what the roof actually needs, including restoration when it fits and repair or replacement when it does not.
About Our Company
Co-owners Marcus Girod and Marvin Mullet were raised in Amish country, which gave them an appreciation for true craftsmanship. The company focuses on suitable repairs, careful preparation and coating work that is matched to the existing roof.
Call Us Today!
When your building needs metal roof restoration in Kalispell, MT, Flag Ship Foam & Coatings can inspect the roof and tell you whether restoration fits. To schedule a roof inspection, call Flag Ship Foam & Coatings at 208-946-3031.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a metal roof too far gone for coating?
If panels are perforated by corrosion, decking is rotten, or insulation is saturated, coating alone will not solve the problem. Repair or replacement of those areas comes first.
Does a coating fix ponding water on a metal roof?
No. Coating does not correct drainage defects. Water that collects at low spots, laps or blocked drains has to be addressed separately.
How long will a restored metal roof last?
It depends on the roof’s condition, the coating system, the quality of preparation and ongoing maintenance. Ask the contractor to explain the basis for any lifespan estimate.
Can a metal roof coating lower energy costs?
Some coatings reflect more sunlight, but savings depend on the coating, the building and how it is used. Treat energy-savings claims as estimates and confirm them for your building.