What Is An Ardex Roof?
Property owners in Rockwall hear the word Ardex and often ask if it is a brand, a system, or a coating. Ardex is a manufacturer known for high-performance roofing liquids used in fluid applied reinforced roofing systems, often shortened to FARR. In plain terms, an Ardex roof is a liquid roofing system that is applied directly to the existing roof, strengthened with polyester or fiberglass reinforcement, and finished with protective topcoats. The result is a seamless, waterproof membrane that can extend the life of a commercial or multifamily roof without a full tear-off.
This approach suits many flat and low-slope roofs across Rockwall, Heath, Fate, and nearby Lake Ray Hubbard neighborhoods. It addresses ponding, leaks around penetrations, and aging membranes that still have structural value. It also answers a local need: Rockwall’s sun, wind, and hail punish conventional roof seams and fasteners. A monolithic, reinforced membrane reduces points of failure and keeps maintenance simple.
How a Fluid Applied Reinforced Roofing System Works
A fluid applied reinforced roofing system builds a new membrane on top of the existing roof. The crew cleans and primes the surface, embeds fabric into liquid resin, and then adds one or more topcoats. The reinforcement turns the liquid into a strong, flexible sheet. It moves with thermal expansion and contraction, which is a daily cycle in North Texas. Because the membrane is continuous, there are no sideseams to split under UV exposure or wind uplift.
Those who manage retail centers on Ridge Road or flex warehouses near IH-30 tend to like FARR because it can be installed with minimal disruption. Roofing liquids cure without open flames. Noise is low. Tenant access stays normal in most cases. On a typical 20,000–60,000 square foot building, a crew phases work by section, so businesses remain open.
Ardex Within the FARR Category
Ardex supplies primers, base resins, reinforcing fabrics, and topcoats designed to work as a system. The chemistry varies by substrate and performance target. For example, a silicone topcoat excels at UV and ponding resistance, while a polyurethane base may handle high foot traffic. Acrylics offer strong reflectivity at attractive cost, but they need positive drainage to deliver their best service life. A skilled contractor selects the mix after inspecting the roof’s deck type, existing membrane, slope, and drainage pattern.
The brand playbook matters, yet local conditions drive final choices. In Rockwall, hail resistance and heat reflectivity carry weight. A white, highly reflective topcoat can reduce roof surface temperatures by 50–60 degrees on an August afternoon. That can lower heat transfer into conditioned space, which facility managers often see as steadier indoor temperatures and lighter HVAC loads.
What an Ardex Roof Looks Like Up Close
Owners expect a smooth, uniform surface. In practice, the membrane shows a slightly textured finish where the fabric sits in the base coat. At curbs and penetrations, the detail work stands out. The crew wraps the reinforcement up the vertical and flares it onto the field area, forming a continuous seal at rooftop units, vent stacks, and skylights. Scuppers and edge metal receive specific treatments so water sheds without getting under the system.
Walk pads can be added along service routes for HVAC techs. Color can vary, though white is common for reflectivity. A gray or tan finish appears on some facilities where glare or branding matters.
Where Ardex FARR Makes Sense in Rockwall
Owners see strong results on EPDM, TPO, PVC, modified bitumen, and even metal roofs after proper prep. The system closes seams that have opened under UV. It bridges minor cracks in aged asphalt. On standing-seam metal, the liquids seal fasteners and side laps, then create a continuous skin over the panels.
Local examples include low-slope roofs on medical offices along Horizon Road, distribution units east of the lake, and churches with large fellowship halls. Schools and municipal buildings use FARR as a strategic life-extension move, postponing a full replacement while improving weatherability.
What It Costs and What It Saves
Budget depends on scope, square footage, and warranty length. In the Rockwall area, a reinforced liquid system often lands in a range that is 40–60 percent of a full SCR, Inc. General Contractors Fluid Applied Roofing Systems DFW tear-off and replacement with a new single-ply. Thicker mil builds and hail-rated assemblies cost more. Access, height, and the number of penetrations also push numbers up or down. For a 30,000 square foot roof, even a modest per-square-foot difference can shift the project by tens of thousands of dollars.
Savings show up in several lines. Tear-off disposal is minimal because the existing roof stays in place unless it is saturated. Business interruption drops because the job can phase around live operations. Over the next decade, routine upkeep tends to be simpler. Crews recoat at set intervals rather than chase seams. A reflective topcoat may reduce cooling demand, which helps in July and August across Rockwall ISD schedules and retail traffic peaks.
What The Process Looks Like, Step by Step
After dozens of projects in Rockwall and Dallas County, a consistent process helps avoid headaches and warranty issues.
- Assessment and moisture scan, including core cuts and infrared or capacitance testing to find wet insulation or trapped water.
- Surface prep and repairs: pressure wash, rust treatment on metal, blister cuts and patches on mod bit, and secure or replace loose edge metal.
- Primers and tie-ins based on substrate; adhesion tests confirm compatibility.
- Reinforced base application with embedded fabric across the field, plus double reinforcement at problem areas like drains and expansion joints.
- Reflective topcoat to specified dry film thickness, with cure times planned around weather windows.
Weather matters. In Rockwall, spring storms and fall fronts can blow in fast. A good crew sets daily start and stop points so no section is left vulnerable. Temperature and humidity influence cure times. On a humid August morning, a silicone may set slower than on a dry October afternoon.
How It Handles Hail, Heat, and Wind
Hail is a real test along the IH-30 corridor. Reinforced liquid roofs stand up well to typical North Texas hail because the membrane can flex under impact. They do not dent like metal or fracture like aged PVC. That said, very large hail can bruise or puncture any system. After a storm, a walk-over inspection looks for coating scuffs, impact marks at penetrations, and clogged drains. Spot repairs are straightforward: clean, patch with fabric and base, then topcoat.
Heat is constant from May through September. UV degrades exposed seams and adhesives on many roofs. A continuous topcoat reduces direct UV exposure on the underlying membrane and keeps temperatures down. Wind can try to lift edges, which is why edge metal prep and reinforcement are critical. A well-bonded liquid membrane does not flap. It adheres across the entire field.
How Long It Lasts
Service life varies by thickness, exposure, and maintenance discipline. Many reinforced liquid systems carry 10-, 15-, and 20-year warranty options. Thicker builds with scheduled recoats push usable life further. In practice, a properly installed and maintained FARR can perform well for 15 years and then receive a recoat to extend service. The key is to keep drains clear, check flashings annually, and address traffic damage quickly.
Warranties come in two flavors: manufacturer materials coverage and full system coverage that may include labor. The terms depend on substrate condition and adherence to the installation spec. Owners should review maintenance clauses. Most require documented inspections and simple housekeeping to keep coverage in force.
Comparing Ardex FARR to Tear-Off and Replace
Owners weigh three questions: risk, cost, and outcome. A full tear-off resets the assembly and can solve trapped moisture or slope problems. It also raises cost, adds debris hauling, and disrupts operations. A FARR lays a new membrane over a sound base, seals it, and restores performance at lower cost. It does not fix structural slope or bad decking. If moisture mapping shows widespread saturation or deck corrosion, a tear-off is the safer call.
In Rockwall, many roofs qualify for FARR because the climate is hard on surfaces but leaves insulation dry under most conditions. Buildings with multiple old layers or chronic ponding might need targeted tear-off and cricket work, then a reinforced liquid over the corrected areas. Hybrid solutions are common and effective.
What Owners Should Check Before Saying Yes
A clear scope protects both the building and the budget. A contractor should explain how many square feet will be reinforced, what details receive double fabric, and how edges and penetrations will be handled. Mil thickness should be stated for both wet and dry film. Cure times and weather limits must be realistic for Rockwall seasons. Access plans for tenants, safety lines, and odor control matter on medical and daycare sites.
If the roof has soft areas, the team should show moisture scan results and core photos. These spots need replacement, not coating. On metal roofs with heavy rust, the spec must include rust conversion and spot replacement where metal is thin. If a spec skips hard prep work, the membrane will reflect those flaws.
Maintenance After Installation
A reinforced liquid roof is low maintenance, not zero maintenance. A twice-a-year walkthrough catches small issues before they grow. The checklist is simple. Keep drains and scuppers clear, especially after pecan and oak drops in Rockwall neighborhoods. Look for mechanical damage along service routes and around satellite mounts or cable runs. Confirm that pitch pans are intact, though most details are now fabric-wrapped instead of pans. After a major hail event, schedule an inspection even if leaks are not obvious.
Recoating timelines vary by system. Many call for a recoat at year 10–12 for a 15–20 year path. Recoating means cleaning, minor patching, adhesion tests, and applying a new topcoat to restore thickness and reflectivity. Budget for it early and treat it as part of the roof’s planned life.
Environmental and Energy Notes
A FARR avoids most tear-off waste. That keeps tons of old membrane and insulation out of landfills. It also shortens project timelines, which reduces truck trips and site staging. White reflective coatings lower surface temperature and can reduce heat gain. The actual energy savings depend on insulation, occupancy, and HVAC controls. Building owners in Rockwall often notice more stable discharge air temperatures and fewer hot spots near the top floor or under the roof structure.
If utility rebates are available for reflective roofing, the contractor should help document product reflectance and emissivity. Values differ by topcoat. Silicone and acrylic products generally carry high reflectance numbers at install, with silicone holding reflectivity better where ponding occurs.
Common Misconceptions
Some believe liquid roofs are just paint. They are not. A reinforced system with fabric and specified mils turns into a tough membrane. Another misconception is that a coating hides problems. A good contractor refuses to bury wet insulation or rotten decking. The system depends on a sound substrate. A third belief is that liquids fail at standing water. That depends on chemistry. Acrylics prefer dry-out cycles. Silicones handle ponding better. The right product in the right place solves that concern.
A Short Story From the Field
A logistics building off SH-205 had a 48,000 square foot modified bitumen roof with chronic leaks at old lap seams and around HVAC curbs. Cores showed dry insulation almost everywhere, but two zones near a blocked scupper were saturated. The team removed and replaced those wet sections, corrected the scupper, and installed a reinforced liquid system with double fabric at all curbs and drains. The owner kept operations running throughout. Two summers later, the roof measures cooler by infrared, and the maintenance log shows only one call, caused by a contractor dropping a panel that scuffed the surface. It was repaired in under an hour.
Why Local Installation Matters
Rockwall roofs see fast swings: a sunny afternoon, then a storm line off the prairie. Crews need to plan daily tie-offs and watch dew points. They also need to know city requirements and specific site access challenges. For example, retail on Goliad sees morning delivery congestion that complicates staging. Schools have calendar windows where work must be quieter. Experienced installers schedule around these realities and keep tenants informed. That is the difference between an easy project and a stressful one.
How SCR, Inc. General Contractors Approaches Ardex FARR
The company surveys the roof with moisture scans and core cuts, then builds a scope that addresses the actual conditions rather than a generic template. It uses fluid applied reinforced roofing systems with brand-specific details approved by the manufacturer. Adhesion tests verify primers. Edge metal receives high-attention prep, and penetrations get double reinforcement. Crew leaders document mil thickness with wet film gauges during application and provide a close-out package with photos, test results, and warranty documents.
Owners in Rockwall, Heath, Fate, and Royse City count on clear communication. A daily update goes out by email or text with weather calls and areas completed. If a storm pops up, the crew shuts down clean with all edges sealed. The goal is simple: hand back a quiet roof that stays out of the maintenance inbox.
Is an Ardex Roof Right for Your Building?
It fits when the deck is sound, insulation is mostly dry, and the owner wants a watertight, seamless membrane without the cost and disruption of a full replacement. It performs well on low-slope commercial and multifamily properties across Rockwall. If the roof suffers from chronic ponding, saturated zones, or structural slope problems, partial tear-off and drainage corrections may come first, followed by a reinforced liquid system to lock in performance.
A short site visit answers these questions quickly. Expect a moisture scan, a few cores, and an honest scope that explains what will be reinforced, what will be replaced, and how long the system is expected to last. That clarity allows a straight comparison of FARR against other options.
Ready to evaluate your roof in Rockwall, TX? Schedule an assessment with SCR, Inc. General Contractors. The team will verify whether an Ardex fluid applied reinforced roofing system fits your building, lay out costs, timelines, and warranty choices, and keep your operations running while the roof gets the protection it needs.
SCR, Inc. General Contractors provides roofing services in Rockwall, TX. Our team handles roof installations, repairs, and insurance restoration for storm, fire, smoke, and water damage. With licensed all-line adjusters on staff, we understand insurance claims and help protect your rights. Since 1998, we’ve served homeowners and businesses across Rockwall County and the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Fully licensed and insured, we stand behind our work with a $10,000 quality guarantee as members of The Good Contractors List. If you need dependable roofing in Rockwall, call SCR, Inc. today. SCR, Inc. General Contractors
440 Silver Spur Trail Phone: (972) 839-6834 Website: https://scr247.com/
Rockwall,
TX
75032,
USA
SCR, Inc. General Contractors is a family-owned company based in Terrell, TX. Since 1998, we have provided expert roofing and insurance recovery restoration for wind and hail damage. Our experienced team, including former insurance professionals, understands coverage rights and works to protect clients during the claims process. We handle projects of all sizes, from residential homes to large commercial properties, and deliver reliable service backed by decades of experience. Contact us today for a free estimate and trusted restoration work in Terrell and across North Texas.