The evolution of fluid-applied roofing systems

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Why liquid-applied membranes are revolutionizing roofing in today’s environment. 

The conversation around liquid-applied roofing systems is changing as their role in restoration and sustainability gains prominence. In this CoatingsTalk, hosted by Karen Edwards, Greg Hlavaty and Hal Leland from Western Colloid explore the nuances of fluid-applied systems, their applications and the challenges they face. 

Greg expressed a critical shift in the roofing industry's perspective. "For a long time, the consulting part of the industry more or less ignored them. Or if they didn't ignore them, they looked at them as, again, as a band-aid and very seldom did consultants, roof consultants, use them as part of their repertoire of answers to building owners." This evolution, he explained, hinges on the adaptability and strength of modern coatings, which can transform aging membranes into durable, energy-efficient solutions. 

One key development mentioned was the leap from coatings to reinforced liquid-applied membranes. "You can take that same acrylic, reinforce it, put it on at what we think is the proper gallonage, and it comes up to a 60-mil membrane with a reinforcement in it, similar to what a single-ply membrane does," Greg noted. The innovation doesn’t stop there — assemblies now exceed 130 mils, rivaling traditional systems in durability and warranties. Hal added, "We have assemblies that are over 130mils thick. So, I mean, they're much thicker than any single ply, any TPO, any PVC membrane. And the warranties are at the same age limit as those warranties, up to 20-year MDLs." 

Greg highlighted how crucial contractor expertise is to the success of roofing projects. "For us, the contractor is 50% of our package," said Greg. "We want a contractor that's going to take our products and build the rest of the membrane for us in the field." He stressed that training is essential, as improper application can undermine even the best products. "It's got to be done by a contractor that knows what he's doing and because it all falls back in our lap," he added. Western Colloid addresses this gap with rigorous field training and on-site support, helping contractors optimize efficiency and reduce errors. 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar for more insights, including discussions on sustainability, code compliance and the role of fluid-applied systems!