How silicone coatings deliver real labor savings

By Dani Sheehan. 

As the roofing industry continues shifting toward restoration-first strategies, silicone coatings present a high-impact opportunity for contractors to deliver value while protecting their workforce. 

In a recent CoatingsTalk™ episode, Eric Thompson, national technical training manager at Henry®, and Cody Wilson, president of Unicoat Industrial Roofing, explained how silicone restorations streamline installations while opening new pathways for contractors.  

One of the biggest reasons contractors are adding silicone coatings to their business is simple: they save time and money without compromising performance. “When you compare the cost of a silicone restoration to a full tear-off or even a roof-over, your material costs are substantially lower – and your labor is too,” Cody shared. “We can complete projects much faster, with far less disruption to the building, and still deliver a watertight roof the customer is happy with.” 

Eric sees this shift happening nationwide. “Building owners are realizing they don’t have to rip off a roof and fill landfills to get another 10, 15 or 20 years of service,” he explained. “Over a 40-year span, restoration can save up to four times the cost of a conventional roof replacement.”  

Labor is the key to contractor profitability 

For contractors, labor, not materials, is the variable that makes or breaks a bid. “As contractors, we can’t control the price of materials,” Cody shared. “What we can control is labor. If I make my crew more efficient and get jobs done quicker, I can offer a lower price to the customer while still increasing profitability. The same crew that used to finish one job in a month can now handle two or three.” 

Additionally, faster jobs lighten the load on crews, reduce fatigue and help stabilize staffing when workforce shortages are already a concern. “Tear-offs year-round burn crews out,” Cody added. “Restoration gives them a break and helps with retention. It’s also safer – you're not constantly hauling loads to a chute or crane, and you’re not tearing into unknown substrates that may require respirators or extra precautions.” 

Eric agreed that happier, less fatigued crews ultimately support the bottom line. He explained, “If crews are happier, they finish the job faster. The faster you finish, the faster you can move to the next job and continue building your backlog. It becomes a full-circle benefit for contractors – higher productivity, better retention and stronger margins.” 

A smarter, scalable path forward 

While every roof is different, both contractors and manufacturers agree that most of the labor on a project is spent in the preparation, not in applying the topcoat. Features of the Pro-Grade® 988 Silicone System remove bottlenecks and reduce return trips. “With fabric-less silicone systems and flashing grades like Butter Grade Silicone Roof Sealer, we’re not cutting fabric around every penetration anymore,” Cody explained. “If I can hand a guy a chip brush and a two-gallon pail instead of having him three-course every detail, the job moves a whole lot faster.” 

Eric added, “We’re focused on making products that are easier to install with less effort. When contractors can use a single coat, fabric-less system with great adhesion and quick rain resistance, it streamlines their entire workflow and helps them achieve their goals faster.” 

Listen to the full podcast episode to learn more about increasing your profits with silicone restorations.