Our commercial roof had suffered from repeated leaks and years of temporary patch repairs. The initial survey was thorough and highlighted the areas requiring repair, corrosion treatment and protective coating. Communication remained excellent throughout the project, the site was kept organised and we received progress photographs at every stage. Since the work was completed, we have experienced no further water ingress.
Helen J.Facilities Director, West MidlandsLandlord guide
MEES, EPC Ratings and Roof Coatings: An Honest Guide
Commercial landlords are being sold roof coatings as an EPC fix. Here is what a coating genuinely can and cannot do for MEES compliance, without the sales gloss.
Honest guidanceNo compliance scaremongeringSurvey first, always
Accredited, insured and audited
IPAFPOWERED ACCESS TRAINED£10mPUBLIC LIABILITYIPAFPOWERED ACCESS TRAINED£10mPUBLIC LIABILITYUp to 20-year manufacturer-backed guarantees£10m public liability insuranceFully licensed and qualified drone operatorsTrained, experienced coating teams
Where MEES actually stands
Under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), it has been unlawful since April 2023 to continue letting most commercial property in England and Wales with an EPC rating below E. The government has consulted on tightening this, with EPC C discussed for the late 2020s, but at the time of writing the C requirement is a proposal, not law. Beware of anyone selling work on the back of a deadline that has not been enacted. What is certain: energy performance expectations for commercial lets are moving in one direction, and planned improvement beats panic spending.
Client feedback
What clients say about our work
We instructed the company to respray several occupied industrial units across our estate. Access and working areas were organised carefully, tenants received plenty of notice and there was minimal disruption to daily operations. The colour and finish are consistent across every unit.
David K.Industrial Estate Owner, CoventryThe grain-store roof had corrosion developing around the sheet edges and fixings. We received a clear explanation of the problem, photographs of the affected areas and a sensible quotation. The work was completed neatly and on time.
Thomas E.Grain Farm Owner, CambridgeshireWe had several areas of cracked render and faded exterior walls. Everything was repaired properly before the coating was applied, and the finished building looks clean, modern and professionally maintained.
Rebecca S.Commercial Property Manager, BristolThe factory remained operational throughout the project, which was essential for us. The team followed our site procedures and completed the roof coating safely and efficiently.
Michael B.Factory Manager, ManchesterWe thought the machinery shed would need completely recladding, but they recommended a more affordable coating solution. It now looks years younger.
Peter C.Agricultural Contractor, ShropshireThe team kept us informed throughout and carefully planned the work around customers, tenants and delivery vehicles.
Claire M.Retail Park Manager, NottinghamOur warehouse cladding was badly faded. The new coating has completely transformed the appearance of the building.
Andrew T.Warehouse Owner, BirminghamThey worked around the livestock and daily farm routine without causing us any problems. Proper job.
James R.Dairy Farmer, SomersetThe work was completed on schedule and caused very little disruption to the estate.
Susan W.Estate Manager, YorkshireReliable team, tidy workmanship and a very professional finish.
Mark H.Commercial Landlord, OxfordExcellent work. The barn looks brand new.
Daniel P.Farm Owner, LincolnshireStraight answers
A coating is roof protection first, energy measure second
What a coating CAN doA reflective (cool roof) coating can reduce solar gain and summer overheating, protect the roof substrate, and extend the life of the existing roof while you plan bigger works.
What it RARELY does aloneAn EPC band is driven mainly by heating, insulation, lighting and building services. A coating on its own seldom moves a commercial EPC by a full band.
What actually moves an EPCInsulation levels, heating plant, controls and lighting carry most of the weight in a commercial EPC (SBEM) assessment. A coating can support the case; it is not a substitute.
The honest route
How to plan this properly
Start with the roof condition, not the EPC certificate. If the roof is weathered, a survey will tell you whether a coating, repairs or replacement is the responsible route, and a reflective system can be specified where it genuinely helps the building. Then have your EPC assessor confirm what any proposed work contributes before you spend on compliance grounds. We are happy to survey first and put what we find in writing: book a free site survey or read about our commercial roof coatings and industrial roof coatings.
How we work
Survey first, then specify
1SurveyWe get on the roof or the wall. Substrate, access, exposure, corrosion and repairs all checked in person.
2ReportA written report on what the building actually needs, with photos, not a sales sheet.
3SpecifyCoat, repair and replace laid out separately so you can see the choice clearly.
4PlanWork shaped around safety, weather windows and keeping your site running.
5ProtectThe right system applied properly to push replacement down the road.
Commercial & industrial coating systems we specify
Rust-OleumJotunSherwin-WilliamsPPGSika
Always specified to the substrate and exposure after a free site survey
Common questions
MEES and roof coatings
Will a roof coating improve my commercial EPC rating?
Rarely on its own. Commercial EPCs (SBEM) are driven mainly by insulation, heating, controls and lighting. A reflective coating can reduce solar gain and support thermal comfort, and it protects the roof itself, but treat any claim that a coating alone delivers an EPC band jump with caution and confirm with your assessor.
Is EPC C compulsory for commercial property by 2027?
Not at the time of writing. The legal minimum for continuing to let most commercial property in England and Wales is EPC E (since April 2023). EPC C has been consulted on for the late 2020s but is not enacted law. Planning ahead is sensible; spending in a panic over an unenacted deadline is not.
What is a cool roof coating?
A light-coloured or reflective coating that reflects more solar energy than a dark weathered roof, reducing surface temperature and summer heat gain inside the building. On suitable substrates it also restores weather protection. Whether it is right for your roof depends on the condition found at survey.
Where we work
Sectors and buildings we coat
Survey-led coating, spraying and exterior refurbishment across commercial, industrial and agricultural property in the UK.
Industrial & warehouse roofsCommercial claddingFactories & production unitsAgricultural buildingsRetail & business unitsManaged estates & facilitiesRender & masonryMetal cladding & cut-edge corrosion
Survey first, compliance second
One of our surveyors inspects your roof, sets out the honest options in writing, and you take that to your EPC assessor with confidence.
Book your free site surveyWhy choose NCS
Why businesses trust National Coating Specialists
Survey-led, not sales-ledOne of our surveyors inspects the building, photographs the condition and quotes only what it needs - no pressure, no obligation.
£10m liability insuranceFull ten million pounds public liability cover on every project, from single-barn resprays to multi-phase industrial sites.
Accredited & auditedCHAS, SafeContractor Approved, Constructionline Gold and Acclaim accredited; IPAF-trained teams for powered access.
Up to 20-year guaranteesManufacturer-backed guarantees of up to twenty years, with the true term for your building confirmed in writing at survey.
Licensed drone surveysFully licensed and qualified drone operators survey large or fragile roofs safely before anyone quotes a number.
One accountable contractorThe team that surveys and quotes your building is the team accountable for the work - roofs, walls, cladding and interiors together.
Recent work
Recent projects, documented survey to handover
Accredited, insured and audited
IPAFPOWERED ACCESS TRAINED£10mPUBLIC LIABILITYIPAFPOWERED ACCESS TRAINED£10mPUBLIC LIABILITYBook a free, no-obligation site survey
We coat and refurbish commercial, industrial and agricultural roofs and walls in place, right across the UK. Tell us about your building and we’ll arrange a survey at a time that suits you.
What does your building need?
Pick the surface, then the problem. We will point you to the right service.