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There are actually several roof devices accessible in today's market, each with a variety of strong points and also weaknesses. Listed below I will certainly explain each system briefly, and afterwards detail the advantages and disadvantages.

Thermoplastic as well as PVC- Single ply, can be robotically affixed, completely adhered or even ballasted.

Pros- Top-notch efficiency in ponding water circumstances. Very light in weight roof coverings, in the neighborhood of 30lbs. per 100 sq. ft. Can be found in white colored if an amazing roof is wanted, or in several various shades for artistic concerns. Yet another plus along with these roofing systems is that sizable custom made area pieces could be ordered coming from the manufacturing facility, reducing seams closed due to the crew on the jobsite. Resistant to ozone, algae and also area seams are 3-4 opportunities stronger than EPDM filed joints. There is additionally a significant quantity of flexibility in the product. And due to the fact that joints can be joined along with warm air, there are actually no harmful fumes to manage. Both 15 and two decades service warranties offered.

Drawbacks- Being single ply, they are actually prone to discarded cigarettes, sharp things dropped on the membrane, as well as faulty glass coming from containers thrown on roof (this occurs a LOT) I typically inhibit customers from mounting these sorts of units if the roof possesses a ton of feet website traffic or even is actually conveniently available to unapproved workers. Previously, product shrinkage was at times a severe problem on Thermoplastic and PVC roofing systems, but changes in composition and production has actually mitigated this concern. These roof coverings still reduce with time, though not to the point of failure as before.

Income- Excellent roofs, particularly on roofs that pond water heavily, as long as the roof is actually commonly obtainable simply to licensed workers.

Asphalt Revised Bitumen- This roof is what a great deal of people call a rubber roof, when it resides in simple fact comprised generally of asphalt. It is available in 3 ft. broad rolls and is normally torched down with an open flame, though they can be administered along with warm air welders in specific problems as well.

Pros- In my opinion, the largest durability of these roofings is how well they resist outdoors anxieties. They deal with foot traffic far better than every other membrane, and are complicated to penetrate, particularly if they have a granulated surface. These rooftops are actually therefore difficult in fact, that the majority of insurer won't even recognize hail storm damages as they perform on other roof coverings (I have actually directly seen tweaked roof coverings completely pummeled along with hail storm as well as appear completely un-damaged).

Downsides- One of the most glaring negative aspect with these systems is actually that there is actually a seam every three feets, that 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 actually three-way inspected, you'll probably be actually great with this device. Otherwise, you can 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 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 click here 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.