There’s no doubt about it: Replacing a commercial roof in Michigan can require a significant investment. But unfortunately, many roofs in the area are reaching the end of their intended lifespan and presenting the kinds of problems you’d expect, ranging from leaks to soaring energy bills to ponding water.
But there’s actually a more affordable alternative to full roof replacement — you may be able to have the roof coated rather than replaced. This will allow you to restore the safety, aesthetics, and performance of your roof for a fraction of the cost of full replacement.
Andek Roof Coatings are a popular option for commercial property managers in Northwest Michigan who want to avoid the costs of total roof replacement. We’ll explain everything you need to know about them below.
What Are Andek Roof Coatings?
Roof coatings are liquid-applied materials that are installed over an existing roof surface to create a continuous, seamless layer. Once cured, they form a protective membrane that covers the roof field, seams, and penetrations. Roof coatings are commonly used in commercial roofing to restore, protect, and extend the service life of existing roof systems.
One manufacturer known for producing these types of commercial roof coating systems is Andek.
A U.S.-based manufacturer, Andek develops and markets liquid-applied coating systems for commercial and industrial applications. The company has produced specialty coatings and sealants for decades and serves roofing, construction, and infrastructure markets nationwide. Andek Roof Coatings are often well-suited for commercial and industrial applications where performance consistency and long-term durability are priorities.
How Andek Roof Coatings Work
Liquid-applied roof coatings are exactly what they sound like — fluids that are applied on top of an existing roof, which then dry, forming a continuous surface membrane. Importantly, the liquid bonds to the existing roof coating and completely encapsulates seams, fasteners, and penetrations during the curing process, eliminating many potential sites for water intrusion.
Once cured, the membrane forms a highly water-resistant barrier. Additionally, because roof coatings are seamless, there are no laps, joints, or exposed fasteners present, which significantly reduces the chances of leaks developing.
Many Andek Roof Coatings also resist prolonged UV exposure, and some are also corrosion-resistant, providing additional protective value (especially for metal roofs).
Key Benefits of Andek Roof Coatings
Andek Roof Coatings provides a number of important benefits. A few of the most notable ones include:
- Waterproof Protection: Liquid-applied roof coatings create a continuous waterproof barrier that helps prevent water infiltration across the roof surface. By sealing seams, penetrations, and minor surface imperfections, the system reduces the most common sources of leaks.
- Extended Roof Lifespan: Roof coatings can extend the service life of an existing roof by protecting it from weather and UV exposure. This allows building owners to delay major repairs or full replacement, provided that the underlying roof structure remains sound.
- Energy Efficiency & Reflectivity: Many Andek Roof Coatings are formulated with reflective properties that help reduce heat absorption from sunlight. Lower roof surface temperatures can contribute to improved energy performance, particularly in commercial buildings with large roof areas.
- Cost Savings vs. Complete Roof Replacement: Applying a roof coating is often less expensive than a full roof replacement because it is applied directly on the existing roof surface. Additionally, installation typically requires fewer materials and less labor, which also helps keep overall project costs low.
- Minimal Disruption to Business Operations: Because roof coatings are usually installed with minimal tear-off, the work can be completed more quickly than traditional replacement projects. This helps reduce noise, debris, and operational disruptions for commercial buildings.
Types of Andek Roof Coatings
While Andek offers many individual roof coating products, they are commonly combined into tailored coating systems designed to match specific roof conditions and performance needs. These coating systems typically include products that fall into a few core categories:
- Waterproof Roof Coatings: These coatings serve as the primary membrane in an Andek roof-coating system. They are designed to create a continuous waterproof barrier over your existing roof surface.
- Protective and Performance Coatings: These coatings are often used in conjunction with waterproof base layers to provide enhanced UV resistance, corrosion protection, and surface durability.
- Reflective and Finish Coatings: These coatings are designed to improve solar reflectivity and keep roof temperatures lower. These are commonly applied as topcoats and provide long-term weather resistance.
- Primers, Reinforcements, and Accessories: Andek also offers a variety of primers, reinforcing fabrics, and sealants to prepare roof surfaces and strengthen critical areas such as seams, penetrations, and transitions.
Fortunately, property managers don’t have to become experts in Andek Roof Coating types or products. The professionals at Cherry Town Commercial Roofing will select the ideal Andek coating systems based on the specific conditions of your roof, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Roof Types Compatible With Andek Coatings
One of the biggest selling points of Andek Roof Coatings is its versatility across the entire product line. In fact, there are products and combinations of products that work well for the most common commercial roof types, including:
- Metal roofs
- Flat and low-slope roofs
- Modified bitumen roofs
- Existing coated roofs (after proper prep)
Additionally, Andek Roof Coatings can even be applied to concrete decks, where they’ll provide significant protection from the elements and reduce weather-related damage.
Andek Roof Coatings vs. Roof Replacement
In many cases, commercial property managers are excited to learn that their roof doesn’t necessarily require replacement and would be a good candidate for Andek Roof Coatings.
Because roof coatings typically require fewer materials, less labor, and minimal tear-off, they are often much more affordable than having a roof replaced, and they can also be installed in a matter of days, unlike replacements, which often take weeks. Additionally, roof coatings offer environmental advantages as they extend the life of your existing roof and reduce the amount of material that’ll require disposal.
You’ll have to speak with a professional roofing contractor to know for sure if an Andek Roof Coating is a good choice for your situation, but they’re often ideal for:
- Commercial roofs that are structurally sound but showing signs of surface wear
- Roof systems with minor leaks or aging membranes that do not require full replacement
- Metal roofs need corrosion protection and waterproofing
- Flat or low-slope roofs where seamless waterproofing is beneficial
- Buildings where minimizing disruption to ongoing operations is a priority
- Property owners looking to extend roof life while deferring full replacement
But again, they’re not always the right choice. Roof coatings may not be recommended when a roof has widespread moisture intrusion, structural damage, or insulation failure. In these cases, repairs or a full replacement may be necessary.
Andek Roof Coatings: FAQ
Still have questions about Andek Roof Coatings? We’ve rounded up a few of the most common ones our clients have and answered them below.
How long do Andek Roof Coatings last?
The overall lifespan of an Andek Roof Coating will vary based on a variety of factors, including the specific product or products used and the thickness of the application. Some coatings are only guaranteed to last for five years, while others may last for 20 or more.
Can Andek Roof Coatings be applied over an existing roof?
Absolutely. In fact, that’s part of their appeal. However, before you can have an Andek Roof Coating applied to your roof, it’ll need to be cleaned and prepared properly.
Will Andek Roof Coatings stop active leaks?
In many cases, yes — Andek Roof Coatings can stop active leaks. In fact, several of the manufacturer’s products are designed and marketed specifically for this purpose.
Are Andek Roof Coatings good for ponding water?
Yes, many Andek Roof Coatings are specifically designed for buildings that suffer from ponding water.
What are the disadvantages of roof coatings?
There aren’t many downsides to roof coatings, but they can attract dirt in some cases, and some can be quite slippery when wet. Nevertheless, most commercial property managers end up being very satisfied with their performance — especially given the lower price tag compared to complete replacement.
What is the average cost of roof coating?
Some roof coatings are available for as little as $0.65 per square foot, while others may cost as much as $8.00. Nevertheless, the majority of roof coating projects fall within the $1.00 to $4.50 price range, though costs vary widely based on roof condition, coating type, and application requirements.
What is the best temperature to apply roof coating?
Roof coatings typically cure best when applied between 50° and 90° Fahrenheit. This makes the late spring and early fall the best times of year to schedule these kinds of projects.
Cherry Town Commercial Roofing: Expert Roofing Support in Northwest Michigan
Andek Roof Coatings certainly provide a number of benefits, but they aren’t appropriate for every roof or building. That’s why it’s critical to have a professional inspection carried out before you make any roofing decisions. We’ll be happy to perform an on-site evaluation, lay out the best options for your commercial building, and provide you with a no-obligation, itemized estimate.
With more than 30 years of commercial roofing experience, Cherry Town Commercial Roofing has the skills, knowledge, and expertise to provide unmatched roofing solutions for property managers and building owners across Northwestern Michigan.
Contact us today to get started.
Sources & References
- Andek Corporation – “Roofing Products”
A manufacturer’s product category page showcasing Andek’s lineup of roofing solutions, including waterproofing coatings and related accessories.
https://www.andek.com/product-category/roofing - Roofing Contractor – “Andek’s Waterproof Coating”
An industry article discussing Andek’s waterproof roof coating products, applications, and performance considerations.
https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/84022-andek-8217-s-waterproof-coating
