About Shingle and Flat Roofs
At the end of every construction comes the final and most important step: ensuring you put up a strong, long-lasting roof. The material and the type of roof you choose play an important role in determining whether it will stand the test of time.
A roof made of the strongest material can last up to 30 years after installation, without the need for replacement.
Best Materials for a Flat Roof
All who are searching for replacement options for flat roofs need to consider several important factors such as; type of material, installation cost, environmental concerns, aesthetics, life expectancy, and maintenance.
Bitumen
A bitumen roof is an asphalt-based flat roof reinforced with special polymers to increase performance and flexibility. This type of roof can be cold-applied, hot-applied, or self-adhered, producing a smooth or granulate finish.
A bitumen roof can withstand extreme heat variations and diminish the flow of temperature on roof surfaces. The only downside to a modified bitumen roof is that it has a relatively short lifespan, with difficulty identifying a leak.
PVC & TPO
Single-ply membranes such as TPO and PVC are common on commercial flat roofs as well as residential. These two materials are similar because they are both thermo-plastic, heat-welded, and white.
PVC is water and fire-resistant and can withstand heavy winds over a long period. A PVC ply is costly and has weaker puncture resistance than TPO.
On The other hand, TPO, also referred to as thermoplastic polyolefin, is a long-lasting, flexible material that lasts up to 30 years. It is slightly cheaper than PVC and easy to install and maintain. It has fewer environmental implications as compared to PVC.
EPDM
EPDM also referred to as ethylene propylene, is a synthetic rubber compound used on flat roofs and is also referred to as rubber roofing. It is characterized by black or white membranes, impermeable, lightweight, durable, and conformable.
Even though it lasts as long as PVC and TPO roofing material, it cost less than other single-ply membranes. Due to the black membranes, it tends to absorb a lot of heat, making them less energy efficient.
Metal
A standing seam metal roof is the ideal choice for a flat roof. Even though metal is one of the most expensive materials, it has the longest lifespan.
Metal is durable and is not affected by cracks like other single-ply roofs. It is important to conduct routine checks for leaks since metal is susceptible to wear around the roof edges and seams.
Slate
Slate is the most expensive roofing material on the market compared to any other form of sheet in the market. The fact that it is made of stone makes it fire resistant and is the most durable of all roofing materials.
It is said to last for more than one and a half centuries. However, as it ages, it gets weaker and brittle making it less resistant over time. It also poses a risk to any roofer doing repairs because they become more slippery as time passes.
Tar
It is extracted during the coal-making process and is made up of petroleum by-products and coal tar. It is effective in repairing areas that are deteriorating or damaged.
Its newer formulations include asbestos-free solvents, plastics, surface adherents, and mineral fibers. Most roofing tars are applied by paint or caulk. Tar should not be used on high-pitched roofs since it turns to liquid at high temperatures and drips off.
Spray Polyurethane Foam Roof
The foam is sprayed on a pre-existing roof using a sprayer to add a dense layer of polyurethane. It is then added to an outer layer of grey or white elastic waterproof coat. It is effective in preventing the effects of harsh climate such as rusting and cracking.
However, one needs to constantly repeat spraying to combat the effects of water and the hot sun, which erodes the foam over time.
Types of Roofing
When considering roofing material, there are more than ten types to consider. Among the most commonly used roofing materials include shingles, slate, concrete, and clay tiles.
Apart from the four options, other roofing materials have revolutionized the construction industry. These materials are; rubber slates, green roofs, built-up roofing, solar tiles, and metal roofing.
Unlike most buildings with slanted ceilings, a flat roof is common among residential homes in urban areas and rural off-grid homes. You are also likely to encounter flat roofs in garages, new porches, and attached garden features such as pavilions.
Flat roofs have become popular in the last few decades to create space for the systems required to sustain people in crowded cities.
Shingles and Flat Roofs
It is not common to put shingles on a flat roof because they are not sealed and can easily leak. If one wishes to install shingles on a flat roof, they need to ensure that the roof has a 3-inch rise to a 12-inch run since different roofing materials require different pitches.
Any roof with a slope less than 3 inches is considered too flat for shingles and should be covered by flat roof materials such as TPO, PVC, and EPDM rubber.
Familiarizing yourself with the downside of installing shingles on a flat roof provides you with knowledge on what other types of materials are good for flat roofs and which ones are not. Shingles are layered on top of each other, just like the scales on fish. The main function is to protect your house from external elements such as water and UV rays.
Having shingles on a flat roof can prove hazardous since water can travel up the roof and under the shingles. During the winter season, water usually undergoes the cycle of melting and freezing, resulting in the formation of ice dams that form at the roof’s edge. It adds to the weight of the eaves and traps water beneath the shingles, causing a leak.
Rubber Flat Roof
The majority of homeowners opt to use rubber roofing because of the numerous economic, environmental, and installation benefits.
EPDM is suitable for extreme conditions such as extreme cold when there is snow or heavy downpour since it is waterproof; this type of roof gives you reliable and durable service of up to 50 years.
Due to the synthetic rubber, propylene does not pick up moss or algae, making it easy to clean and maintain, saving time and money for homeowners or anyone who wishes to build a house. It is also environmentally friendly since the materials used to make it are recycled.
Unlike other roofing materials, roofers usually go for propylene because of its ease to repair, making the job fast and easy. Its ability to be cut down to size in square pieces means you can get a standard roof done with just a single membrane.
Rubber roofing, if fitted properly, has the most benefits as compared to other roofing materials. It is durable, easy to repair, and resistant, making it one of the top types of sheet on the roofer’s menu.
Roll Roofing
This type of roofing is a mineral surfaced asphalt product that is oil-based and is made available in 100 square feet rolls. It is almost similar to asphalt shingles, but it is considerably less costly, thinner, and less durable.
It is used to re-roof an already existing roof after flashing debris and gravel from the previous roofing material. It is one of the easiest roofing materials to be applied on the roof deck. Unlike other roofing materials that require to be hammered, this type of roofing material can easily be peeled away to allow the material to cover the roof.
However, some rolled roofing needs to be nailed or fastened to facilitate the installation better. Rolled roofing can last between 10-20 years, depending on the type you choose. Due to the need for a smooth roofing material on a flat roof, rolled roofing is the best option for homeowners and roofers who want to maintain an attractive cover throughout.
Finding the Best Roofing Contractor
Onboarding a qualified contractor is a step in the right direction towards ensuring that your roofing project is built to your satisfaction.
Contacting us guarantees your construction is built to meet the set standards in quality and style. Do not let roof-related issues such as leaks affect the structural integrity of your roof and house.
United Reno will ensure that you are assigned a roofer who will assess and recommend the necessary and most effective roofing solution.