The Dow Chemical Company which is a supplier of Acrymax wrote a recent article in Durability and Design. The article is titled Elastomeric Acrylic Coatings for use on Commercial Structures. The article discusses why you should use elastomeric coatings for roof coatings, exterior insulation and finishing systems, and exterior wall coatings for concrete and masonry surfaces on commercial architecture.
Elastomeric coatings have unique properties that make them a great choice where elongation and flexibility are needed.
The article breaks down elastomeric acrylic coatings uses in three ways:
- Elastomeric roof coatings
- Exterior insulation and finishing systems (EIFS)
- Elastomeric acrylic wall coatings
Elastomeric Roof Coatings
There are two important reasons for acrylic roof coating. First, it protects the roof from all the elements of weather. Second, with a finish color of white a “cool roof” is created which helps fight the urban heat island effect. A cool roof keeps the building from having excessive heat buildup and makes the roof energy efficient. Some elastomeric coatings become dirty and they lose their reflectivity as they age. So you should select an elastomeric roof coating that will be dirt-resistance. Acrymax would be a great choice in this avenue!
Exterior Insulation and Finishing Systems
Elastomeric acrylic polymers are sometimes used in EIFS finish coats more specifically flexible-textured finish coats. The benefit to using flexible-textured coats is that the polymer is very soft which offers better crack-bridging properties. The crack-bridging properties and good elongation of elastomeric acrylics help to maintain the continuous membrane even with movement.
Elastomeric Acrylic Wall Coatings
Concrete and masonry surfaces are very susceptible to surface cracking, but using elastomeric acrylic wall coatings can help this. Elastomeric acrylic wall coatings possess a hydrophobic nature and can be applied in thick films which offer good barrier properties. These coatings can be used to bridge hairline cracks, but you must use a thick enough film.
Elastomeric acrylic coatings have many benefits and properties that make them a great choice for these applications on commercial structures. Click here read the full article and see the tests they performed.
