Learn how your comment data is processed. Shingled roofing is the perfect choice for steep-pitched roofs, but it isnt ideal for low-sloped roofs. That's where synthetic composite roofing products add value. Capitol Improvements is a family. Installing TPO typically involves the use of a hot air gun to weld any seams along the surface. Rolls of rubber sheets are mainly used on flat roofs. This exposes the layers underneath the rubber roofing membrane and potentially allows water to creep into the structure. What causes this? Routine maintenance and removing debris and hosing off the roof occasionally to keep it free from dirt and grime is essential. The most common rubber roof alternative for flat and low-sloped roofs is asphalt-roll roofing. Ultraviolet radiation resistance Thermoplastic polyolefin, or TPO, is a single-ply roofing material that is similar to EPDM but different in several key ways. Rubber roofing is used to reduce leaking and to produce more impenetrable sealing. Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer, or EPDM, is one of the most popular materials for flat roofs. Tell us about your home improvement project. On low-sloped or flat roofs, water can drift in different directions and seep in between the shingles, causing leaks. For added protection, add a coating of UV protectant. Installation cost per square foot: $4.50-$10.50. Although a ballasted EPDM, fully adhered roof comes really close. Each type of rubber roofing materialwhether it contains synthetic rubber polymers or plastic polymerswas specifically designed to protect low-sloped roofs from water damage. Just yesterday. Another significant benefit to composite or synthetic roofing is that it can be incredibly light weight. Before TPO hit the scene, PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, was the thermoplastic roofing material of choice. Rubber roofing, on the other hand, can last 30-50 years, requiring little maintenance. Rubber shingles help reduce waste in two ways. TPO and EPDM roof systems have similar lifespans of 20 to 25 years. Single-ply synthetic membrane roofing is strong, waterproof, and pliant. Depending upon the object and the membrane thickness, EPDM can puncture. In the warmer South, the white EPDM membrane reflects the sun's heat and helps reduce heating bill. At first glance, rubber shake shingles sounds like a wonderful alternative to traditional cedar shakes. Modified bitumen and BUR roofs tend to have a shorter lifespan than rubber roofs, and they dont offer the same energy-saving benefits. EPDM is strong enough to be installed in a valley and is probably the best solution if its a low slope valley near a cricket there are no laps in the material. Is the Water on Your Ceiling a Roof Leak or Condensation? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Your rubber roof will last you a very long time, and youll be surprised at how little maintenance and upkeep are needed. DBA: Capitol Improvements Roofing & Siding Contractors. Regularly rinse your mop or brush in a bucket of clean water and use a hose to remove any remaining dirt. But shingles dont create the type of watertight seal needed to protect a low-pitched or flat roof from water. Greeley: 970-395-0406 No roofing system is 100% resistant to everything. Is that an average installation cost? We install rubber roofs for commercial buildings and homes in: As a rubber roofing contractor near Washington DC, we install these types of flat roofs for both homes and commercial buildings: When installed properly, certain rubber roofs can last 25 years or more. However, TPO was created as a more economical and energy-efficient alternative to these other rubber roofing materials, making it a popular choice. You will still get more benefits than a traditional roofing option, but you would spend just as much to install rubber shingles as you would a real cedar roof. Flat roof work may not call for a harness and brace system, but it does involve more stooping, bending, and lifting than pitched roof work. Water resistance, in particular, is key for any roofing material. Each year, gently clean debris out of the gutters and check for damage. If installed properly, rubber roofing shouldnt crack or become brittle due to hot or cold temperatures. One of the newest options is rubber shake shingles. I read about one adhesive that is used to apply EPDM that states, Not to be used for rubber to rubber. So how do you repair tears? The rubber roofing then serves as a waterproof membrane. Rubber roofing has to be properly installed in order to offer all of the typical benefits. It is very unlikely to leak or crack because there are no seams for water to flow underneath. After all, flat roofs are much less complicated to access, and its a lot easier to move around on a flat surface than on a sloped one. Does not pollute rainwater. much roofing Most houses have asphalt shingles that typically last 15-20 years and require quite a bit of attention throughout that time. A ballasted roof is a roof with something, such as rocks or concrete pavers, to hold the roofing membrane, such as EPDM, down. The final cost largely depends on the specific material. The 'white' version of EPDM is actually an additional layer on top of the existing EPDM layers. close-up of an EPDM roof on a residential garage, FlexWhite (Top layer. This price range aligns closely with wooden shakes and metal roofing, for reference. The installation of rubber roofing is easier and quicker than other materials. Combine these features with the ease of rubber roof installation, the variety of available colors and styles, and the low maintenance associated with rubber roofing, and you will find it to be a great option when it is time for you to put a new roof on your home. Rubber roofing, when installed professionally, can last 25 years or more. Other types of roofing shingles like asphalt, cedar, and metal all are prone to some type of issues. Should those seams need repairs, you will need the specialized hot air gun once again. Talk to local pros to get quotes on your rubber roof installation project, 2010 study by the EPDM Roofing Association, EPDM roofs can shrink under the right conditions, First introduced to the United States in the 1980s, contractors and the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association, PVC poses significant health and environmental risks, manufactured from recycled plastic and tires, contribute to landfill waste or fuel recovery from combustion, rubber shingles are recyclable themselves, Potential health and environmental concerns. Single-ply rubber roofing costs anywhere from $5.50 to $10 per square foot. Even so, they can also work in pitched settings as a primary material or atop an existing structure, particularly metal roofs. In this article, well dig deeper into the positives and negatives of these rubber roofing materials. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Keep this in mind if you are considering handling the project yourself. In roofing applications specifically, manufacturers often use hazardous chemical phthalates to increase flexibility. As with any roofing system, there are advantages and disadvantages. Fortunately, since rubber is moisture-resistant, this is not an issue. Let us know when you're ready for your new EPDM roof. protect low-sloped roofs from water damage, extend the lifespan of the existing roof structure, life expectancies of other common roofing materials. If youre considering sealing a leaking metal roof with a rubber roof, an alternative option is to top your existing metal roof with a one. Rubber roofing shingles consist of up to 95% recycled materials, including recycled rubber and a number of other recycled materials, such as plastic and slate dust. Each type of rubber roof material and system has its own pros and cons. Many homeowners make the mistake of assuming that flat roof installation and work is less expensive than pitched roof work. We suggest speaking to a local roof installer to see if a rubber roof is the best roof type to install for your home. One of the biggest draws to synthetic composite roofing is that it is an incredibly low maintenance material. optional), the white-on-black layer that reflects sunlight, FRM EPDM (Top layer), the layer reinforced with polyester fabric for greater strength, EPDM (bottom layer), the elastromeric layer. Though the investment may be less daunting with DIY work, you may ultimately waste money on repairs or on home damage. Another option if your metal roof is leaking is to reseal the roof with fiberglass webbing. EPDM has an ozone-resistant rating of 'A' up to 100 F. EPDM is a good option regardless of whether you live in a hot or cold region. EPDM has a poor resistance to petroleum-based products, as it begins to breakdown when it comes in contact. EPDM is the longest lasting of the 3 commercial roofing systems we offer. This is because shingled roofing uses a stacked formation (one on top of the other with overlapping ends) to repel water as it travels downwards off the roof. The Pros and Cons of Stone-Coated Steel Roofing, Copyright 2022 Hedrick Construction Inc. | All Rights Reserved |, have trouble effectively protecting due to the lack of gravitational pull, Website Design and Development by Blue Frog Marketing. Before you go with asphalt due to the low price, remember that the quality and performance is one of the highest for the price. My roofers just installed a thin layer in a valley known for leaks. For this reason, asphalt roll roofing is popular for sheds and small buildings, as well as for do-it-yourself projects. Asphalt shingles can lose granules and tear, cedar shingles can rip and rot, and metal shingles can become dented from hail or other small impacts. Seth scheduled the delivery of material. Modified bitumen systems can be applied as a self-adhering compound or using torch-down application. The roof is what protects your home and keeps it well insulated. Then sweep off your roof to get rid of dirt and debris, apply adhesive, and place the roll appropriately across your roof. More importantly, a roof thats installed incorrectly can cause damage to the structure underneath. To clean your roof yourself, begin by sweeping or rinsing off as much loose grime as possible. Generally, rubber is fire, impact, and wind-resistant key attributes homeowners and insurance providers look for in roofing material. Polymers and definitions aside, EPDM rubber roofing is tried and true. Rubber roofing can go where typical asphalt roofing cannot due to its flexible nature. subsidence cracks internal edwards genesis It is so low maintenance, you won't even have to spend any extra money to take care of it, as long as you have running water. Bob Behrends has been roofing the Colorado Front Range since 1983. Most owners enjoy 30 years or more out of their so-called rubber roof. However, as performance data of TPO roofing continually come to light, we can say with a greater degree of certainty whether this roof material is legit. Energy efficient. As a long-time industry favorite, its easier to find a roofing contractor who specializes in PVC roofing than in a newer product like TPO. As an added benefit, installing a rubber roof on top of your shingled roof can dramatically lower your energy costs by insulating and deflecting heat away from the home. These heat-welded seams are low maintenance and last longer than the tape or adhesive sealants used to protect EPDM roof seams. This is especially true considering the durability that rubber shingles offer. Denver: 720-652-9798. Yellow (bonding) adhesive is used for gluing the rubber to anything else. If you have a tight budget, rubber shingles might be too much of a stretch. These shingles are made to resemble real, hand-split cedar shingles, but are actually made of rubber. If installed correctly, you might never experience any cracking or leaking at all. Should it be redone? Recognized by the BBB, Hedrick Construction has a reputation for getting the job done right, on budget, and on time. What types of rubber roofs do you install? On sloped roofs, rubber roofing is typically applied over the top of the existing shingles. It is light weight and easy to install, which helps cut down significantly on installation costs. The plasticizers and chemical components of PVC rubber roofing usually cause it to break down faster than TPO or EPDM. The intended application for rubber roofing is on flat and low-sloped roofs, where shingled roofing isnt the best option. TPO and EPDM roofs have similar lifespans of 20 to 25 years. Of course, theres also EPDMs persuasive track record. Rubber roofing has numerous applications and uses. It is an extremely durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane. Compared to other roofing options, including a rubber shake roof, composite roofing may be affordable for initial installation. Compared to asphalt shingles, which are roughly 3' wide x 1' tall. In the cold North, you might prefer black EPDM due to it's ability to absorb heat and help warm the inside of your building, helping to keep your heating bill down. A rubber shingle roof, however, does not have any of these problems because of its durability . Installation cost per square foot: $6.50 - $13. Whether youre on the hunt for trusted flat roofing material, a more durable alternative to asphalt shingles, or even a protective layer over your existing roof, rubber very well might be your answer. First, TPO is a relatively new product in the roofing industry, which means its not as time-tested as EPDM and PVC roofing. One of the most popular styles is the cedar shake style. Unfortunately, just because they are made from rubber, a rubber roof is not automatically more affordable. Inspect the roof for debris, as well as any areas that look damaged or appear to be crumbling or cracking. Restaurant owners opt for PVC because it resists harmful grease escaping to the roof that would otherwise deteriorate EPDM.
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