An elastomeric coating is a flexible, rubber-like waterproofing product capable of stretching and returning to its original shape, applied to surfaces that experience minor movement or cracking, where a rigid coating might fail by cracking along with the substrate beneath it.
This flexibility makes elastomeric coatings particularly well suited to concrete surfaces, which naturally experience minor shrinkage and thermal movement over time even without any structural problem present.
Because the coating can accommodate this minor movement without losing its water-resistant seal, it tends to offer better long-term performance on surfaces prone to hairline cracking than a more brittle alternative would.
What Does an Elastomeric Coating Involve?
- A rubber-like polymer formulation
- Application by spray, roller, or trowel
- Flexibility to bridge minor cracks without failing
- Resistance to UV degradation in exposed applications
Why Are Elastomeric Coatings Important?
Because concrete naturally develops hairline shrinkage cracks as it cures, a rigid waterproof coating applied over that concrete risks cracking right along with it, potentially reopening a water entry point the coating was meant to seal. An elastomeric coating’s ability to stretch across these minor movements without losing its seal makes it a more durable long-term solution for many foundation waterproofing applications.
This same flexibility also makes elastomeric coatings popular for roofing and other exposed exterior applications, where thermal expansion and contraction create ongoing movement a rigid coating simply couldn’t withstand over time. This dual-purpose usefulness has helped elastomeric products become a mainstay across multiple construction applications. Its versatility across applications reflects genuinely useful underlying material properties rather than marketing alone. This cross-industry usefulness speaks to its genuine underlying performance.
Elastomeric Coating vs. Waterproof Coating
Waterproof coating is the general category of liquid-applied water-resistant products. Elastomeric coating is a specific formulation within that category, distinguished by its flexibility and ability to bridge minor cracks that a standard rigid coating would not accommodate.