Different types of flat roofing Products

Different Types of Flat Roof Material

There are a number of material options when installing a flat roof, depending on your needs. It’s always a good idea to consult with your flat roofing contractors before they start the job, but in this blog, we’ll be talking about four common roof materials and their pros and cons so that you’re well-informed when you’re ready to start construction. The materials we’ll cover here are fibreglass roofing, felt roofing, EPDM rubber roofing, and TPO rubber roofing.

Fibreglass Roofing System

One of the main benefits of the fibreglass roofing is that it is suited to any size of project, no matter how big or small. Fibreglass is strong and has a minimum guarantee of twenty years, but it often lasts much longer, because it has a very durable finish. Furthermore, fibreglass roofs are highly weather-resistant and have a lower risk of developing frost damage than some other types of material.

Fibreglass is also a good choice aesthetically, as it comes in a range of colours and also has a joint-less finish, meaning that you get a much more seamless look to your roof, as well as repairs being easy and virtually unnoticeable, so even if your roof gets damaged, you can get it looking as good as new again. Fibreglass is a type of flat roofing contractors will often recommend.

Felt Roofing

Felt roofing is often an appealing choice for people because it’s the cheapest option when it comes to flat roof materials. However, it’s not necessarily the prettiest; it can become damaged over time or with exposure to consistently bad weather. Felt roofing is very easy to fix when damaged, but even the best repair jobs will often still look patchy.

Despite those downsides, if you are still weighing up felt roofing to be worth the low cost, it’s good to know that most felt roofs are guaranteed between ten and twenty years, but they can last longer if well-maintained.

EPDM Rubber Roofing

EPDM Rubber Roofing is extremely lightweight but tough, with an elasticity that other roofing types don’t have. If kept in good condition, EPDM rubber can be very durable and waterproof, and this roofing type is often guaranteed for thirty years or more.

EPDM rubber can be installed in one complete layer, which makes installation more straightforward, and also gives you peace of mind that there are no gaps or weaknesses in the fittings which water could slip through. However, this roofing type can be damaged fairly easily by extreme weather or physical stress. The repair work is easy but will look patchy, so this roof type is best used somewhere that it isn’t expected to receive much damage.

TPO Rubber Roofing

Thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers “TPO” rubber roofing is much more easily heat welded than EPDM and has a lifetime of about twenty years. Like felt roofing, TPO is a fairly cheap option, but that does mean it comes with some drawbacks.

TPO rubber can shrink and pull away from the edges over time, and it comes in fairly small rolls, which means that when it is installed, there will be lots of seams, which need to be sealed as they are the weakest part of the roof. However, if you use qualified flat roofing contractors to do the work you can reduce the chance that those seams will cause a problem.

Conclusion

Whatever material you choose for your flat roof will have both benefits and limitations. Often the trade-off is affordability or quality. Whilst cheaper options will often do the job and have a long shelf life on paper, they are rarely resistant to physical damage caused by accidents or consistently bad weather. Whilst some options may seem expensive, you often get what you pay for. Make sure you know what conditions your roof will be exposed to, and what it needs to be resistant to before you decide how much you’re going to spend, and if you are unsure, speak to your flat roofing contractors for advice before you start buying.

Meta title: Quality Flat Roofing Contractors | SS Roofing Specialists

Meta description: After flat roofing contractors? We’ve got the knowledge and experience to get the job done well. This blog looks at the best materials for flat roofs.

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