Granules
Granules In The Gutters
A little grit in the downspouts is ordinary wear. Thick drifts of granules and bare patches on the slope mean the shingles are near the end.
Commercial Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Richmond Shingle Roof Coating
We apply shingle roof coating in Richmond to commercial asphalt shingle roofs on strip centers, offices and churches, when the shingles still lie flat and hold their granules.
- Flat, bonded shingles only
- Shingle maker terms checked
- Granule loss checked at gutters
- Wall and vent flashing reviewed
The Gate
Can This Shingle Roof Be Coated?
Shingle coating is a narrow fit. These checks decide it, and a roof that fails them is better off with replacement.
| What We Check | Coat It | Replace It |
|---|---|---|
| Shingle Shape | Tabs lying flat and still bonded | Curled, cupped or lifted tabs |
| Granules | Light granule wash in the gutters | Bare mat showing across the slope |
| Decking | Firm underfoot | Soft spots or sagging between rafters |
| Maker Terms | Shingle maker allows the product | Terms or existing coverage rule it out |
| Flashing | Wall and vent flashing intact or repairable | Flashing failures that call for a reroof |
Roof Walk
What We Look For On Commercial Shingle Roofs
A shingle roof walk is about the shingles themselves. These details decide coat or replace.
Tabs
Lifted Tabs At Ridges And Rakes
Tabs that wind has lifted or torn at the ridge line and rake edges show where the seal strips have let go.
Flashing
Flashing At Walls And Vents
Step flashing along walls, counterflashing and plumbing vent boots are where shingle roofs leak first, coated or bare.
Deck
Soft Decking Underfoot
A deck that gives when walked on points to rot below the shingles, which a coating would only hide.
Coating Options
Commercial Roof Coating Options for Richmond
Shingle roofs that pass the checks get one of these. The rest get an honest replacement call.
Full Shingle Coating
A clean, bonded shingle field gets a coating made for asphalt shingles, applied to the thickness its maker lists.
Coating Plus Flashing Repair
Loose vent boots and wall flashing get repaired or replaced first, then the coating covers the field around them.
Metal Or Low-Slope Sections
Shingled buildings with a metal or flat section behind get that section coated on its own terms, matched to that roof.
Metal roof coatingBenefits
Benefits of Coating Your Roof
On a shingle roof that qualifies, a coating buys time while the old roof stays in place. These are the gains.
Tear-Off Skipped
The shingles stay in place, which spares the building a loud, messy tear-off and the dumpsters that come with it.
Lower Cost Than A New Roof
Coating a roof whose shingles and deck are still solid costs less than replacing it, because the old roof never leaves the property.
A Cooler Surface
A light coating reflects sun that dark shingles soak up, which helps the rooms right under the roof in July.
One Even Color
Faded, streaked shingles on a storefront or church get one even color across the whole roof.
Shingles Showing Up In The Gutters?
Heavy granule loss tells us more than any single leak. Tell us what you see in the downspouts and on the slope above them.
Planning A Coating
Start a free estimate and we will check whether the shingles qualify for coating.
Get A Free EstimateProcess
How We Decide On A Shingle Coating
The gate comes first. Coating is planned only after the roof passes it.
- On The Roof
Inspect Your Roof
We check granule loss at the gutters, lifted tabs at ridges and rakes, and flashing at walls and vents, and press on the deck for soft spots.
- Paperwork
Do The Shingle Maker's Terms Allow It?
Shingle makers set their own rules on products applied over their shingles. We check the brand and any existing coverage before planning anything.
- Permits
Does A Permit Come Into Play?
Ask the local permit office whether coating alone needs a permit. Flashing work, deck repair and new vents can bring more review.
- Repair
What Gets Repaired First?
Lifted tabs are sealed down, damaged shingles are replaced to match, and failed flashing and vent boots are fixed before the field is cleaned.
- Coating
How Is The Coating Applied?
After a gentle wash and a full dry-out, the shingle coating goes on to the maker's specified thickness, with extra care at valleys and edges.
Related Services
Coatings For The Rest Of The Building
Shingled buildings often have other roof sections. These systems cover them.
Metal Roof Coating
Metal sections behind a shingled front, such as a rear storage wing, get coated as their own job.
Richmond Metal Roof Coating
Acrylic Roof Coating
Pitched metal over a shop or fellowship hall, finished in a white, water-based coat.
Richmond Acrylic Roof Coating
Silicone Roof Coating
Flat roofs over back-of-house areas where water stands after storms.
Richmond Silicone Roof CoatingFAQ
Shingle Roof Coating Questions
Straight answers about coating a commercial shingle roof.
Question about your own roof?
Call UsCan you coat an asphalt shingle roof on a commercial building?
Some, when the shingles lie flat, stay well bonded and hold their granules. Curled tabs, bare mat or soft decking rule a roof out.
Check the shingle maker's terms and any existing coverage first, since makers set rules about products applied over their shingles. Then the roof walk looks at gutters, tabs at ridges and rakes, and flashing.
Is coating cheaper than replacing the roof?
For a roof whose shingles and deck are still solid, usually, because the old roof stays and nothing goes to the dumpster.
The DOE cool roof guide adds that tearing off a working roof only to raise its reflectance rarely pays off. Once many shingles have failed, replacement becomes the better buy.
What should I have ready before a roof inspection?
A short roof history and photos of any interior leaks. Note the roof's age, past repairs or coatings, and the shingle brand if you know it.
List rooftop units, vents and planned equipment changes, plus ladder points and locked gates. Inspectors compare stains inside with the flashing and shingles above them.
Will a coating stop a leak at a wall or vent?
Over a failed flashing joint, rarely for long. Leaks at walls, chimneys and vent pipes get the flashing or boot repaired first, then the coating ties into the repaired detail.
Can the building stay open during shingle coating?
Yes, for most offices, stores and churches. The work stays on the roof, with ladders or a lift at one wall and the entrances kept clear.
Cars parked near the eaves get moved on wash and coating days, since rinse water and overspray travel.
Does shingle coating need a permit in Richmond?
Ask the City of Richmond Building Codes Department, which handles commercial permits inside city limits.
Coating alone and work that replaces decking or flashing draw different questions, so describe the full scope when you call.
Find Out If Your Shingle Roof Qualifies
Start a free estimate with the roof size and address, or call to describe the shingles, the gutters and any leaks.