Metal Roof Coatings, Painting and Restoration in Dothan, AL

An old metal roof that is faded, chalky or starting to rust is not always a replacement job. If the panels are still structurally sound, a restoration coating or repaint can stop surface rust, seal seams and fasteners, and add years of life for a fraction of the cost of new metal. Call (334) 432-8483 and we will connect you with an independent local contractor who restores metal roofs. We are a referral service; the contractor inspects, quotes and does the work.

Signs a coating may be right

• Paint that is faded or chalky to the touch
• Surface rust, but panels that are still solid when pressed
• Leaks at many fasteners and laps on an otherwise sound roof
• A barn, shop or commercial building where you want to delay a full re-roof
• A hot building you would like to cool with a reflective white coating

Coatings are not a fix for panels that are rusted through in many places, a rotten deck, or a roof that is loose or structurally failing. Those need repair or replacement first.

Types of coatings

Acrylic elastomeric

Water-based, affordable and reflective. Works well on sloped metal roofs that shed water. Can break down where water ponds.

Silicone

Handles ponding water and UV very well and is popular on low-slope commercial metal. It can be harder to recoat later with other products.

Urethane and specialty systems

Tougher and more impact-resistant, often used where there is foot traffic or in commercial systems. Usually costs more.

Repainting with a metal roof paint

For roofs where you want a color, such as red, green or charcoal, rather than a white coating. Prep is everything; paint over rust and chalk will peel.

How a restoration is done

1. Inspect. Check panels, fasteners, seams, flashing and the structure. Probe rusty areas to make sure they are solid.
2. Clean. Pressure wash to remove dirt, chalk, mildew and loose paint.
3. Treat rust. Wire-brush rusty areas and apply a rust-inhibiting primer.
4. Fasteners and seams. Replace bad screws, then seal fasteners, laps and penetrations with a compatible seam sealer or fabric-reinforced system.
5. Base and top coats. Apply coating at the manufacturer's specified thickness, often in two coats.
6. Final check. Verify coverage and thickness, and get any manufacturer warranty paperwork in writing.

Typical costs

Typical national-guide ranges. The condition of the roof changes the price a lot.

What drives the cost

Rust treatment and fastener replacement are the big variables. A roof with light chalking costs far less to prep than one with heavy rust. Coating type and thickness, roof pitch, access and the size of the building also matter. Ask whether the quote includes replacing every fastener or only failed ones, and what thickness of coating is specified.

How long it takes

Most residential and barn coatings take two to five days, including washing and drying time. Coatings need dry weather and the right temperatures to cure, so in Dothan's summer storm season, contractors often work mornings and watch the radar closely.

Coating or new roof?

A coating usually makes sense when the panels and structure are sound and you want ten or more years of life at a fraction of replacement cost. If many panels are rusted through, the roof leaks in many places, or you want a different panel profile or a standing seam look, a new roof is the better investment. Get the contractor to explain the choice in writing.

Why coatings matter in the Wiregrass

The high UV and long, hot summers around Dothan break down factory paint, washers and sealants faster than in cooler places. A bright white reflective coating can lower roof surface temperatures substantially, which can make a shop, barn or house more comfortable. Humidity and frequent rain also mean surface rust can spread quickly once paint fails, so catching it early keeps a coating an option rather than forcing a replacement.

Alabama generally requires residential home improvement contractors to be licensed by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board for larger jobs, and a metal roof on a house is almost always a larger job. Ask any contractor for the license and a current certificate of insurance (general liability and workers' compensation), and check the license yourself. Inside the city limits, ask whether a City of Dothan building permit is required and who pulls it; outside the city, ask about Houston County or your town's rules.

Keep the coating working

• Rinse the roof gently every year or two to keep it reflective.
• Keep gutters, valleys and low spots clear.
• Check fastener and seam areas after storms.
• Ask the contractor when a maintenance recoat will be due.

Call (334) 432-8483 to get connected for an inspection.

Frequently asked questions

Areas we serve

We connect callers across Dothan, Enterprise, Ozark, Headland and the Wiregrass of southeast Alabama, including:

• Dothan
• Enterprise
• Ozark
• Headland
• Taylor
• Kinsey
• Cowarts
• Ashford
• Webb
• Rehobeth
• Newton
• Daleville
• Abbeville
• Houston County
• Dale County

Local pages: Enterprise, Ozark, Headland.

Related services

• Standing Seam Metal Roofs
• Metal Roof Replacement
• Exposed-Fastener, Corrugated & 5V
• Barns, Shops & Commercial
• Metal Roof Repair & Leaks