50 YEARS OF ROOF COATINGS

The South Florida roofing landscape has changed many times since the building boom of the 50s and 60s.  Acrylux was established over 50 years ago to serve the needs of roofers and roof painters who wanted a better longer lasting solution to painting roofs.  Back in the 50s and 60s it was normal to whitewash cement tile roofs every year to keep them white and mildew free.  In the 70s and 80s everyone moved to acrylic based paint in order to keep their roofs bright white for longer periods.  Acrylic paint was a great success and Acrylux was instrumental in developing some of the best roof paints that required less cleaning and maintenance than the competition.

The 1990s marked a time when the original Gory flat tile roofs, Bermuda roofs, and Bahama roofs were beginning to age beyond their 30 year life span.  Acrylux would make its second major breakthrough in the roof maintenance market.  Many contractors wanted a way to extend the life of thousands of these roofs that were beginning to leak due to the aging tar paper underneath the tiles.  Acrylux along with other local business came up with the idea of grouting the spaces between the tiles thus creating a seamless surface which could then be coated with paint.  This process basically created a barrier over the tiles which kept water from ever reaching the deteriorated tarpaper underneath.  Acrylux went on to perfect the system by manufacturing a specific waterproof coating that would resist cracking due to its thickness and flexibility.

What was this coating that Acrylux came up with?  Was it an elastomeric type coating before elastomerics were commercially available?  In the very early stages of waterproof roof coating development, Acrylux uniquely blended a caulk formula and a paint formula to come up with a thick flexible coating which I believe was the first ever elastomeric roof coating.  This thick, rubbery and flexible coating would become the water barrier over thousands of cement tile roofs in South Florida.  The process allowed homeowners to extend the life of their tile roofs beyond 50 years or more.  To this day, Acrylux still sells this waterproofing as well as many other elastomeric coatings for similar applications.

During this period, many of the tile roofs that were not coated were either replaced by much cheaper shingle roofs or the trendy color through barrel tile roofs that didn't need to be painted.  The combination of unscrupulous contractors and push-back by the roofing industry became a threat to Acrylux's position in the marketplace.  Then in 2005 hurricane Wilma came through South Florida blowing away many of the shingle and barrel tile roofs that were not attached well.  Ironically, the Acrylux coated roofs proved to be extremely wind resistant and in some areas the only roofs to survive without damage.  This was not enough to rescue the dwindling waterproofing market, conversely, the abundance of new roofs that followed the hurricane, further decreased the need for waterproofing.

Now ten years into the post Wilma market, Acrylux responded once again to the needs of the marketplace.  Time proved that color through roofs were not beyond maintenance and needed regular cleanings.  The constant pressure cleaning and chemical washing of these roofs eventually dulled the colors and degraded the surface of the tiles.  To solve this issue, Acrylux formulated a clear roof tile sealer that reduces pressure cleaning requirements, gives the tile a renewed luster and brings back some color. 

Along with color through tile maintenance, Acrylux continues to be the preferred high end roof coating supplier for those choosing to paint or waterproof their roof.  Acrylux has also made advancements in the flat roof coating market with products that resist ponding water as well as reducing roof temperatures.  With products from the past as well as the cutting edge, Acrylux has a complete solution to all roof maintenance and waterproofing needs.