Isonit Roof Coating Blog

Isonit – Europes No1 Roof Coating

There is a growing market in the UK for domestic roofs to be cleaned, treated with Anti-Fungicide then coated with a clear or coloured coating. Roof coating has been part of European home-owners maintenance cycle for many years. Isopaint-Nordic of Denmark has been at the manufacturing forefront for roof coating for over 30 years – Proven Products that last the test of time.

Isonit is Europe's number 1 roof coating, commanding over 40% of the French and German roof coating market!

Roof tiles are exposed to nature’s forces on a daily basis, weathering influences can be classified as follows; Physical factor`s such as Insulation (heat) cold (frost) rain and dew wind and dirt. Chemical factor`s such as pollution, smoke, acid rain, salt, organic materials and ozone. Biological factors, such as Moss, fungi, lichen, insects, micro organism`s (bacteria) etc.

To give your roof long lasting protection you need to use the highest quality coating, Over a 30 year period Isopaint has a proven track record of the highest levels of performance.

Roof coatings are exposed to nature’s forces on a daily basis. One classifies weathering influence into:

Physical factors:

Such as insulation (heat), cold (frost), rain and dew, wind and dust

Chemical factors

Such as air pollution, smoke, exhaust gases (acids and salts), as well as organic materials and ozone

Biological factors:

Such as plants (mosses, fungi, lichens), animals (insects) and micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses) To give a roof lasting protection, it needs the right roof coating material.

The most important properties of a good roof coating are:

1: Lasting flexibility / Elongation at tear / Tensile strength

These properties are very important so that the material can expand in heat and cold. All Iso Paint roof coatings are based on 100% pure acrylate. This binder has lasting flexibility. In Europe it is unfortunate that 70% of the roof coatings are made of “Styrene Acrylate.” Styrene acrylate contains the softener thalate. Thalates can not only be carcinogenic but are also leached out after 3-4 years. The styrene acrylate then turns hard and inflexible. That is why styrene acrylates are totally unsuitable for roof coatings. One should only use these for façade or internal coats of paint as they are not subject to high loads there. The ISONIT roof coating with its elongation at tear of 197% was rated as HIGHLY ELASTIC.

2: Water permeability / Water absorption

The material for roof coatings should be water repellent so that water can run off and does not soak into the coating material. Because: if a roof coating absorbs too much water, you will have the ideal basis for algae and fungi. These then damage the stability of the roof foundation and at the same time accelerate the weathering process.

If 100 grams “ISONIT Roof Coating” is placed in a water basin for 24 hours, the paint absorbs 5 grams of water = 5% water absorption!

3: Adhesive strength

The material for roof coatings should be able to adhere to many types of bases, because good and long-lasting adherence means long durability.

4: Weather & UV Resistance

The material for roof coatings should be UV and weather resistant so that the roof looks good and receives long-term protection against weathering influences. Outdoor weathering tests with ISONIT roof coatings show: Even after 2 years in Magdeburg’s industrial climate, there are no changes to the durability and only low to negligible changes are visible in the decorative properties.

5: Water vapour permeability / Breathing activity

The material for roof coatings should be capable of transporting moisture from the inside to the outside. If this is not the case, it may result in infections with fungi and/or moulds which is very damaging for the roof construction. The ISONIT roof coating is highly pigmented with iron oxide colour pigments. These ensure a superior covering power so that 20% less paint is required on average than with “Normal Roof Coatings.” On average 0.4 – 0.5 ml/m2 is used with concrete shingles and 0.3 – 0.4 ml/ m2 with fibre cement. To achieve adequate covering power, you need to use 0.8 – 0.9 ml/ m2 paint with a “Normal Roof Coating.” This of course has an influence on the breathing ability of the roof.

Why does the ISONIT Roof Coating have such good properties?

Iso Paint uses a specially developed binder comprised of 3 molecule sizes, which ensures superior properties of adhesion, flexibility, waterproofness and breathability.

If the roof coating your applying or your having applied to your roof doesn't have these qualities, then you could be looking at costly remedial work and a failing roof. - Isopaint know this, 30 years of roof coating experience tells us this!

If your interested in becoming an applicator of Isonit or for general roof coating enquiries please call 01782 272542