HEMPEL Paints has introduced what it describes as the ultimate coating system for protecting roofs from the intense heat of the blazing sun and the hazards of the sporadic rainfall experienced by the Gulf region.

Called Hemparoof, the advanced, highly-efficient coating solution for durable waterproofing protection of roofs has been specifically conceived to cope with the Middle East’s weather, making it a prime choice for both residential and commercial buildings in the region, according to Ahmed Abdul Aziz, regional sales director for Hempel.

“The roof is one of the most important components of a building but it is often the most neglected as it is mainly out of sight. Yet it is our first and last line of defence against rain in winter and direct sun in summer,” he says.

“No one pays any attention to the roof or its maintenance until it starts leaking,” he says, adding that proper finishing and maintenance of the roof is crucial for the durability of a building.

Abdul Aziz states that the role of a roof coating should not be underestimated and that the roofing contractors must be familiar with the concept of roof coatings.

He elaborates: “This monolithic and fully-adhered fluid applied over the roofs – if applied properly – helps to extend the life of the roof, ultimately saving the cost of roof maintenance. Roof coatings possess many outstanding properties that make them an important aspect of roof construction and finishing.

“When applied over the roof, a roof coating acts as a top layer over the underlying roofing system. Its high elasticity allows it to expand and contract to its original shape. However, being the topmost layer, it needs to withstand several environmental factors such as ultraviolet (UV) rays, temperature extremes, rain, hail and the physical damage they cause.”

Hempel introduced its Hemparoof coating system in time for the region’s winter season, which started in Bahrain with a relatively early heavy rainfall this year.

Hemparoof is rich in acrylic resins and has a film thickness of 500 microns (µ) per single layer, with the ability to recoat. “This makes it highly waterproof and able to effectively prevent water leakage from roofs during rainy periods,” Abdul Aziz explains. “The system forms an elastomeric membrane with high tensile strength, which renders the roof paint crackproof. It is also rich in UV-resistant additives, ensuring its ultimate longevity despite the intense and prolonged sun exposure characteristic to the Middle East. This means that the building roof will remain impermeable to water season after season. Its resin-rich composition gives it superior flexibility to accommodate the deflection of buildings and structures.”

When used with different primers, Hemparoof can be applied to all common roof substrates – concrete, masonry, wood, tiles, polyurethane (PU) foam, steel or others – covering tight spots and corners efficiently. “The coating is so versatile it works perfectly well even on old roofs previously covered with tiles,” adds Abdul Aziz.

In addition to its main coating function, Hemparoof can be used to fill cracks and holes in concrete when one part of it is mixed with two or three parts of sand.

Furthermore, Hemparoof’s application is quite easy and thus requires no specialised labour. It can be applied without thinning using brushes, rollers, airless spray, or squeegees, he says.

Hempel Paints Middle East-West region caters to four key market segments: protective, decorative, marine, container and yacht. Its production facilities in the region are capable of producing its full range of products including high-performance epoxies, polyurethanes, high-technology anti-fouling marine paints and its decorative coatings, providing customers with a single source for all their coating requirements.

Hempel has four production units in the Middle East-West region with an annual production capacity of 45 million litres per year. The largest production unit in the region is in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, while other units are located in Kuwait, Bahrain and Syria.