The aim of this article is to help anyone with a leaky or worn roof on any private or commercial building to make the right decision when choosing the best roof coating by providing factual information to prevent roof coating failures.
There are many alternatives in the market and a lot of false information racing around the internet. Hopefully this article will prevent you from wasting your money on products that are substandard and not suitable for our harsh New Zealand climate.
Just because a manufacturer claims a product is “made in NZ for NZ conditions” doesn’t necessarily mean they will last, as many of these coatings don’t last!
A common comment we hear is that New Zealand has the highest UV in the world and therefore products sold in New Zealand should be made specifically to withstand the New Zealand UV. This is simply not true!
As stated by Richard McKenzie (Atmospheric research physicist, Niwa Scientist (Retired), Global expert in UV ) :
“the UV in New Zealand is not particularly high compared with equatorial regions. We do have relatively high UV levels – by about 40 percent – compared with similar latitudes in the northern hemisphere. And it’s about twice as high as in Europe. But the highest UV levels anywhere in the world are nearly double those experienced in New Zealand.”
With regards products made and manufactured for the US market, such as Eterna-Kote Silicone Roof Coating, he also states:
“Before UV-sensitive outdoor materials are marketed and deployed they will have typically undergone long-term testing against UV damage in high UV testing sites like Southern California and Florida (latitude ~30N ). Because New Zealand’s annual UV dose is less than those sites, any guarantee against UV damage that applies throughout USA should also apply anywhere in New Zealand.”
You can read Richard McKenzie’s full article HERE
There are several types of Roof Coatings available in the market. All have features that you should be aware of in making your decision of which is the best option for you :
- Silicone Roof Coating:
Known for its excellent waterproofing, long lifespan, and resistance to UV damage. It can be initially more expensive than other options but requires less maintenance over time and often has a longer warranty.
- Acrylic:
A more budget-friendly option but may require more frequent maintenance and recoating. Not ideal over time for roofs with ponding water
- Elastomeric:
Offer good flexibility and waterproofing but can be affected by ponding water and may not be suitable for all roof types.
- Aluminum:
Reflective coatings that can help reduce energy costs but may not be as durable as other options.
If you are considering using a Silicone Roof Coating, we have put together below a summary of the products available to enable you to make an informed decision. As you can see, not all “Silicones” are equal:
| Warranty | Undercoat Required | Coverage Per Coat | # Coats Required | % Silicone Content | Certified Potable Water Safe | |
| Eterna-Kote | Lifetime * | No ** | 1.76m² | 1 | 97±3% | Yes |
| APOC | Lifetime * | No ** | 1.70m² | 1 | 97±3% | Yes |
| Kemseal 80 | 10 yrs | Yes | 1.25-1.5m² | 2 | 38% | No |
| Silcoat | 5 yrs | Yes | 1.64m² | 2 | 70% | No |
| Enduris 3500 | Up to 20 yrs | No | 0.97m² | 1 | Less than 45% | No |
* Lifetime warranty covers the product for the lifetime of the roof
** Blocker Coat is recommended for Torch On for aesthetic reasons only but is not required.
For those of you unfamiliar with APOC Silicone Roof Coating, this Coating has recently been launched in New Zealand. It is from the same American manufacturer as Black Jack Eterna-Kote, which has already gained a great reputation in New Zealand due to its excellent quality and product performance. APOC Silicone Roof Coating is of equal quality to Eterna-Kote and also carries a Lifetime Warranty. For those who would prefer to spray their silicone, this product is sprayable and is available in Grey.
Other non-silicone Roof Coating available in New Zealand vary greatly in quality and in the performance guarantees they offer. Liquid Rubber lasts up to 10 Years, Quick 2 Seal (registration suspended) , Guardian Seal by Roof Buddy has a 10-year warranty, Kiwi Seal Roof Coating has a 10-year warranty and Equus Chevaline-Dexx-membrane needs to be recoated every 5-10 years.
Finally, we are confident in the quality of the products we import and, as such, we are transparent with providing the detail you need to make an informed decision. A large amount of information about Black Jack Eterna-Kote and APOC Silicone Roof Coatings is freely available on our websites. Additionally, there are many excellent customer testimonials to independently verify the quality, durability and reliability of our products.
We recommend that before choosing the best roof coating for your project you read all available information and testimonials on each product to ensure you are making an informed and unbiased decision.
If you have any questions about the best Roof Coating for your project or you would like any further information, please feel free to Contact Us