Flat roofing is economical and efficient, saving the owner both energy and money. Its construction requires significantly less labor and materials than its pitched roof counterpart, and full replacement can often be completed in a single day. It is a long-term option. Flat roofs provide numerous environmental benefits for building projects, from concept design to installation and eventual recycling. SIG Design & Technology provides an independent selection of flat, green, and hard metal roof systems for all types of buildings. To get the best results when replacing your roof, you must first determine what material to use and how it will fit into your budget. We’ll assist you in determining which roofing material is best for your project and provide a cost estimate for each.
What Are the Best Flat Roof Materials?
PVC ROOFING
PVC roofing membranes have long been regarded as one of the best flat roofing materials available in the single-ply roofing industry. The material is composed of refined petroleum or a natural gas-salt mixture. It is available in large rolls with a bottom ply, flexible fiberglass mat, weathering film, and acrylic finish.
They have a breaking strength of at least 350 pounds per inch. PVC roofing has a high fire resistance rating, and its welded seams provide excellent wind uplift resistance. They don’t leak easily. Because PVC membranes are white, they reflect the majority of the day’s intense sunlight.
BUILT-UP ROOF (BUR)
Built-Up Roofing, or BUR for short, first appeared in the mid-nineteenth century. It is a roofing system in which multiple layers of asphalt are applied over the roof deck and insulation between ply sheets. BURs make walking around safer for maintenance personnel. Other roofing options have inferior foot traction.
Each layer of material added to your built-up roof will add about 5 years to its life. With 5 layers of fabric, you can expect a lifespan of about 25 years. Because the roofing material is layered over itself, no seams need to be sealed with a torch or glued down. That translates to a reliable seal.
EPDM MEMBRANE
EPDM is a black synthetic rubber membrane that is commonly used in commercial and medical settings. While it is mostly used in commercial roofing, EPDM has a place in residential roofing as well.
EPDM is extremely durable and is essentially a bulletproof rubber roof system. Because of this durability, you can expect a fully adhered 0.060 thickness EPDM flat roof to last 25 to 30 years.
TPO MEMBRANE
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) is a single-ply roofing membrane that is one of the market’s fastest-growing commercial roofing systems. 80-mil TPO roofs come with up to a 25-year warranty, and with proper maintenance, a TPO roofing system can last as long as 30 years.
MODIFIED BITUMEN ROOFS
Modified bitumen is a single-ply rolled roofing system composed of asphalt with polymers added. It has a waterproofing layer at the bottom and a surface layer that bonds to a material that looks like regular asphalt shingles. This roofing system was invented by Europeans in the late 1960s, and it is relatively simple for homeowners to install on smaller roofs. Modified bitumen roofs come in as many color variations as composite shingle types. That means you can easily match a variety of materials to your building’s exterior, which may include asphalt shingles.
Here we are towards the end. We hope now you can make an informed decision by choosing the right material from the above. Flat roofing is an essential element to consider to maintain a healthy house.
