Details, Fiction and Website

There are actually several roof systems readily available in today's market, each along with various strong points as well as weak spots. Below I will certainly explain each unit briefly, and afterwards list the advantages and disadvantages.

Thermoplastic as well as PVC- Singular ply, may be mechanically connected, totally attached or even ballasted.

Pros- Superior performance in ponding water circumstances. Really light in weight rooftops, in the neighborhood of 30lbs. per 100 sq. ft. Is available in white colored if a trendy roof is preferred, or in numerous various colours for cosmetic concerns. One more plus with these roofings is actually that sizable custom made industry sheets can be ordered from the manufacturing facility, lessening joints closed due to the workers on the jobsite. Resistant to ozone, algae and field seams are 3-4 opportunities more powerful than EPDM submitted joints. There is actually additionally a tremendous amount of flexibility in the material. As well as considering that joints may be joined along with warm air, there are actually no noxious fumes to handle. Both 15 and twenty years service warranties accessible.

Downsides- Being actually singular ply, they are actually at risk to thrown away cigarettes, sudden things fell on the membrane layer, and also broken glass from bottles thrown on roof (this happens a LOT) I generally discourage customers from setting up these kinds of bodies if the roof has a bunch of foot web traffic or is conveniently available to unapproved workers. Previously, product shrinking was at times a severe issue on Thermoplastic and PVC roofs, but changes in composition and manufacturing has actually mitigated this concern. These rooftops still reduce as time go on, though certainly not relevant of failing as before.

Income- Terrific roofings, particularly on roofing systems that pond water greatly, as long as the roof is generally accessible merely to accredited employees.

Asphalt Changed Asphalt- This roof is what a bunch of individuals contact a rubber roof, when it is in fact composed mostly of asphalt. It can be found in 3 ft. large rolls as well as is normally torched down with an open flame, though they may be administered along with hot air welders in specific problems as well.

Pros- In my point of view, the largest toughness of these roof coverings is how well they stand up to outdoors stress and anxieties. They manage foot traffic better than some other membrane layer, and also are actually tough to pierce, especially if they possess a granulated area. These roofings are so tough in reality, that a lot of insurance provider won't also realize hailstorm damages as they do on various other roof coverings (I have personally found tweaked roofings definitely pummeled along with hailstorm as well as come out fully un-damaged).

Disadvantages- The most obvious downside with these systems is actually that there is actually a seam every three feets, which makes for a Great Deal Of seams. If you possess a persistent crew along with a seasoned foreman who are going to make sure that every seam on the roof is three-way examined, you'll most likely be actually alright using this system. Or even, you could be pretty sure you will end up with leaks fairly soon, well before the warranty expires in my experience. And large ponding areas of water on these systems will degrade the material prematurely.

Bottom line- With a good, experienced crew this can be a good roof on a building that does not pond water excessively. And if you have a building with a lot of rooftop foot traffic, this is probably the only way to go.

Foam roofs- This system is applied with a large spray unit, spraying two liquid components (isocyanate and resin) When the liquids are mixed together, they expand 20-30 times and will adhere to concrete, wood, steel and most existing roof systems, but according to the manufacturers, NOT to modified bitumen.

Pros- When complete, the roof is monolithic with no seams, fully adhered and has insulating properties.

Cons- Full disclosure, I have limited experience with these roofs here in NE Illinois. We don't install them, but I have been on 9-10 buildings with this system, and all of them leaked badly, in a couple of cases within months of being installed. Leaks are very difficult to track down and difficult to fix even when found, as repair materials don't adhere to this surface very well.

Bottom line- Based on my admittedly limited experience with this system, I would not advise my clients to go this route when a new roof is needed.

EPDM Rubber- Rubber roofs can be fully adhered, mechanically fastened or weighed down with ballast (Riverbed gravel or pavers) They are versatile, appropriate for many installations and have a long track record.

Pros- Rubber roofs are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and repair. They are available in large sheets to minimize the number of field seams, and there is quite bit of flexibility in the membrane.

Cons- Field seams on these roofs are not as strong as Thermoplastic roofs. Flashings and roof edges tend to wear out more quickly than the remainder of the roof. Shrinkage over long periods can be dramatic in some applications.

Bottom line- Can be a good investment for a building owner, but all of the circumstances of a given installation must be carefully weighed. And good workmanship on the install is vital.

Spray applied roofing- These are not technically re-roofs, they are considered coatings. Some companies refer to them as "re-plys", as you are essentially adding a ply to the existing roof surface. There are numerous manufacturers offering various products with different compositions and specification, too numerous to go into fully here. If an existing roof is experiencing leaks but has not advanced to the point of outright failure, them may be good candidates for this solution.

Pros- Can be extremely cost effective, especially on roofs that have a lot of projections Website and rooftop HVAC units. The material is pure white, which in some cases (especially on metal roofs) can dramatically reduce AC cooling costs. As this is considered to be roof repairs rather than a new roof, there are tax advantages as well.

Cons- The existing roof must still be in somewhat decent condition. If applied to a roof that has already failed, your money will basically be wasted. Also, since this material is sprayed on, any cars within 100 ft or so must be moved during the application process, as this material will be extremely difficult if not impossible to remove from a car's finish. Some manufacturers do not warranty this material if there is ANY ponding water on the roof. Can not be applied to a roof with an existing gravel ballast.

Bottom line- This solution may save a building owner a lot of money, if the existing roof is in good enough condition to accept the coating. Excellent solution for metal roofs in particular.

As you can see, there are many different solutions to your flat roofing needs. It is vital however to choose a roofer who will recommend the best system for your particular roof and circumstances, and not the best solution for his wallet. Be sure you understand why a roofer is recommending a particular system for your project, and which system will be the best investment for you.