Colored metal flake surfaced roofing materials

Abstract

The present invention relates to roofing materials for roofs, sidewalls and other exterior surfaces exposed to the weather such as, but not limited to, asphaltic and non-asphaltic roofing materials, wherein color coated metal flakes cover up to 100% of the weathering surface of the roofing materials. The metal flakes are coated with a colored coating material by fluidizing the flakes in an air stream, spraying pressurized air and colored coating material, and curing the coated metal flakes. The present invention also relates to methods of making roofing materials.

1 . An asphaltic roofing material comprising a headlap and a weathering surface, wherein the weathering surface comprises metal flakes and the headlap is substantially free of metal flakes, wherein the metal flakes cover substantially the entire weathering surface of the roofing material, wherein the metal flakes are roughened and coated with a liquid coloring agent. 
     
     
         2 . The roofing material of  claim 1 , wherein the roofing material comprises a filled portion, and wherein the filled portion includes metal flakes. 
     
     
         3 . The roofing material of  claim 1 , wherein the roofing material is made by a process comprising applying the metal flakes to the weathering surface of the roofing material. 
     
     
         4 . The roofing material of  claim 1 , wherein the metal flakes are first heated and then applied to the weathering surface. 
     
     
         5 . The roofing material of  claim 1 , wherein the metal flakes are first applied to the weathering surface and then heated. 
     
     
         6 . The roofing material of  claim 1  wherein the roofing material is made by a process comprising dispersing the metal flakes throughout a portion of the roofing material, 
     
     
         7 . The roofing material of  claim 6  wherein the portion is a filled portion. 
     
     
         8 . The roofing material of  claim 1 , wherein the metal flakes are dispersed throughout the material and are applied to the weathering surface of the material during the material making process. 
     
     
         9 . The roofing material of  claim 1  wherein the metal flakes are dispersed throughout a portion of the material and applied to the weathering surface of the material during the material making process. 
     
     
         10 . The roofing material of  claim 1  wherein the roofing material is an asphaltic roofing material. 
     
     
         11 . The roofing material of  claim 1 , wherein the metal flakes are of a size greater than the size of flakes passing through a U.S. Standard Sieve #50. 
     
     
         12 . The roofing material of  claim 11 , wherein the metal flakes range from a size greater than the size of flakes passing through a U.S. Standard Sieve #50 to 1″. 
     
     
         13 . An asphaltic roofing material comprising a headlap and a weathering surface, wherein the weathering surface comprises metal flakes and the headlap is substantially free of metal flakes, wherein the weathering surface of the shingle is covered by approximately equal amounts of metal flakes and roofing granules, wherein the metal flakes are roughened and coated with a liquid coloring agent, and wherein the metal flakes have an uncoated thickness of about 0.001 inches to about 0.0125 inches. 
     
     
         14 . An asphaltic roofing material comprising a headlap and a weathering surface, wherein the weathering surface comprises metal flakes and the headlap is substantially free of metal flakes, wherein more than half of the weathering surface of the shingle is covered by metal flakes, wherein the metal flakes are roughened and coated with a liquid coloring agent, and wherein the metal flakes have an uncoated thickness of about 0.001 inches to about 0.0125 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The roofing material of  claim 1 , wherein the metal flakes have a thickness of at least 0.012 inches.