Introduction
The condition of a commercial roof has an impact on more than appearance. Roofs painted in a discolored and faded state can give an unkempt impression to a business premises, and Melbourne’s environment of hot weather, heavy rainfall, and temperature changes causes roof coatings to deteriorate over time.
Commercial roof painting can be a viable maintenance and appearance solution when a roof is still structurally sound but has reached the end of its life. This article addresses cost, process, benefits, and when replacement might be a better option.
What Is Commercial Roof Painting, and Why Do Commercial Properties Need It?
This is frequently mistaken for a mere “old paint over old paint” job. A proper job is more like a coating job: Inspection, clean, surface prep, repairs, and then a coating designed for the roof, material and condition. If these are not considered they reduce the life of the finished product.
Melbourne properties often require maintenance due to a number of reasons: sun exposure causes coatings to lose their colour; wind-blown rain and pollution can cause grime to accumulate around the surface; and surface corrosion around fixings and on edges can result from metal roofing. However, this isn’t the correct solution for all roofs. When a roof or structure is structurally compromised or in significant distress, it is likely that the repair or replacement is the first step and a trusted contractor should let you know in an inspection, rather than give you a price for paint on a roof that needs more.
Commercial Roof Painters and the Services They Provide
The standard services provided by commercial roof painters include inspection, cleaning, surface preparation, coordination for any required repairs, priming, coating, and a final inspection. The type of building is also a factor to consider when it comes to commercial roof services. Access in warehouses, factories, retail stores and offices is different, ranging from scaffolding on a large industrial roof to schedules around trading hours at a retail site. This is a more involved process than planning for a small residential project, and you will need to take into account the requirements of business operations and site conditions.
Commercial Roof Painting vs. Roof Replacement
The real condition of the roof, rather than its look, is the determining factor when deciding whether to paint or replace the roof commercially. A roof that is structurally sound but has a surface that is faded, dirty or lightly corroded is suitable for painting. When corrosion has occurred extensively, leaks have occurred repeatedly, the sheeting or structural components are damaged, or there is extensive corrosion, replacement is the more logical choice. Neither is necessarily the more cost-effective or superior option, so an honest assessment is far more important to take than a surface quote derived from roof size.
Commercial Roof Painting Costs, Process and Benefits
This is the most direct part of the questions most property owners want to have answered, in order: cost, process, and benefits.
What Affects the Cost of Commercial Roof Painting?
The price is project specific, so there’s not much to be gained from a fixed generic price. It’s better to consider how much does a commercial roof cost rather than asking what is the cost of a commercial roof, because the price is determined by a variety of things:
- The roof size and material.
- The condition and cleaning requirements of the area.The area condition and cleaning requirements.
- Treat with rust or corrosion treatment.Rust or corrosion treatment.
- Repairs needed before coating
- Whether coated and the number of coats applied.
- The pitch of a roof and access to it will be taken into account, as will the height of the roof.
- Including labour, safety equipment and scheduling.
This is because two roofs of the same size can receive vastly different quotes, so it’s better to compare the work that goes into each quote, rather than the price tag.
Example: A metal roof over a warehouse in outer Melbourne is badly faded, and has light surface rust around fixings; there are no leaks but the sheeting is in good condition. Instead of replacing, a contractor may suggest they can clean, treat the roof for rust, make minor repairs and provide an appropriate roof coating instead of replacement.
The Commercial Roof Painting Process
Typically, the correct sequence of a project is:
- Initial roof inspection
- After the coating and surface have already been evaluated, the assessment of the existing coating and surface are revealed.
- To clean dirt, moss and debris from.
- Surface preparation
- Necessary repairs
- Primer where required
- Application of the selected coating, usually in multiple coats
- Drying and curing
- Final inspection
The actual coating product itself can have a smaller effect on the outcome as the preparation of the product has a greater influence on the outcome, and a coating product applied on a poor surface preparation rarely performs well. Weather is also a factor with Melbourne, as coatings must have appropriate temperatures and be dry to cure.
Benefits of Professional Commercial Roof Painting
With care and on an appropriate roof surface this can:
- Enhance the building’s overall appearance
- Brighten up a tired or plain surface
- Apply a protective coating on top of the material
- When used in combination with repairs, extend the useful service life of some roofs.
- Enhance the way the premises appears to customers and/or tenants.
Benefits are dependent on initial conditions of the roof and quality of preparation and coating applied. If your roof’s structure is weak, a commercial roof service will not be of much benefit by applying a fresh coat. This is because the roof will not benefit from the fresh coat; it will need to be strengthened first. .
When Should You Consider Commercial Roof Replacement or Installation?
At some stage, painting is no longer the correct solution. Indications that a roof needs to be replaced include if there is a lot of rust, if there is still leaks after repairs, if the sheeting is damaged, or if the roof is at the end of its useful life.
Commercial roof is a standalone project in which new roofing systems are installed instead of maintenance of existing roofing systems—after replacement or new construction. The key thing to remember is that solutions such as painting, repairs, replacement, and installation are not the same, and the first step to determining what is right for your roof is an inspection.
How to Choose the Right Commercial Roof Painters in Melbourne
Commercial projects are more complex than a small residential project, so make sure you choose the right project. Prior to taking a quote, request painters to demonstrate:
- Real-life experience on business premises.
- Some examples of commercial projects that have been done in the past include:
- An itemised, written quotation.
- Described preparation techniques rather than a brand of coating
- A realistic Project Timeframe and Access Plan
- A defined scope of work and warranty information
- Similar jobs by customers.
When dealing with metal roofs, always engage the services of commercial metal roofing contractors who are familiar with treating the roof for corrosion, as it can make a huge difference. .
Why Choose SamSimon Painters for Commercial Roof Painting?
From a single retail building to larger roofs on warehouses and factories, SamSimon Painters is able to work with commercial property owners throughout Melbourne’s roof space. The strategy focuses on clear communication at the initial inspection, careful preparation prior to the onset of coating and a clearly outlined scope of work in order to avoid surprises half way through.
The team evaluates each roof objectively and doesn’t promise something that can’t be obtained with a roof, but does recommend commercial roof painting where appropriate and after briefing the client about where roof repairs are the right solution.
Get a Commercial Roof Painting Quote in Melbourne
Your commercial roof may be wearing out, but it might still be structurally sound and it might be beneficial to have a proper evaluation before opting for a complete roof replacement. No two quotes will be exactly the same, as the commercial roof’s size, material, condition, access, and the preparation and painting depend on the cost.
SamSimon Painters will be able to examine your roof, explain what the roof requires and give you a written quote detailing the full extent of the job. When comparing prices offered by different commercial roof painting companies, consider more than the headline price — consider what each one includes. Get in touch with SamSimon Painters to discuss your roofing requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Roof Painting
What is commercial roof painting?
It’s the process of cleaning, preparing and coating an existing structurally sound commercial roof that is in its “wear and tear” years. The preparation and proper coating system is as important as the paint.
How much does a commercial roof cost?
The cost will depend on the size of the roof, the material, the condition of the roof, accessibility and if the project entails painting, roof repairs, replacement or installation. This means that the majority of contractors will have to visit the roof before being able to give an accurate written quote.
Is commercial roof painting cheaper than roof replacement?
They are used for solving various problems and so one is not necessarily less expensive. If the roof is structurally sound, painting might be an appropriate solution, but if there is a lot of damage the roof needs replacing.
How long does commercial roof painting take?
The length of the project varies with the size of the roof, the amount of cleaning and preparation necessary, the need for any repairs to be made, the coating system to be used and weather conditions.
Can metal commercial roofs be painted?
If the metal roofing material is sound, often it can be cleaned and treated for surface corrosion and then coated. A damage or rust evaluation must be performed first to assure that the structure is not in need of repairs.
What preparation is needed before commercial roof painting?
Normally preparation consists of inspection, cleaning and removal of the old coating (if any is failing), corrosion treatment, and repairs prior to priming and coating.
Does commercial roof painting protect the roof?
If the roof surface is suitable and the roof is in good condition, then the surface could be coated with an appropriate coating that provides additional protection for the roof, but it will depend on the condition, preparation and coating product. It is not the alternative to fix the harm already done.
When does a commercial roof need replacement?
Typical symptoms are large areas of corrosion, structural deterioration, and damaged sheets and leaks that continue to reoccur after repairs. If these exist, they will not fix the issue when it comes to coating.
What is the difference between commercial roof installation and roof painting?
Installation is the process of replacing an existing roofing system or installing a new roofing system in a new construction. Roof painting is the application of paint to an existing roof that is structurally adequate and will not need to be replaced.
How can I find reliable commercial roof painters in Melbourne?
Seek real-world experience, sample projects, detailed written estimates, described preparation procedures, appropriate coating materials, reasonable timelines, and honest access and safety discussions.
Conclusion
Commercial roof painting is effective at enhancing the look and protecting a roof that has a remaining useful life, but it is only effective if the roof is assessed first. If there is significant damage to a roof or a large amount of corrosion, then roof replacement may be the more practical solution as a new roof coating will not solve existing issues. Cost will vary according to the project, including the roof surface area, material and more, so it is better to have a written quotation than just a generic quote.
As a commercial property owner or manager in Melbourne, consider commercial roof painting if you are interested in seeing it. Get in touch with SamSimon Painters for an inspection and a written quote.
