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There are various roof devices available in today's market, each with several assets and weaknesses. Below I will definitely illustrate each system briefly, and then provide the benefits and drawbacks.

Thermoplastic and also PVC- Single ply, can be mechanically affixed, entirely adhered or ballasted.

Pros- Superior efficiency in ponding water scenarios. Incredibly light in weight roofs, in the neighborhood of 30lbs. per 100 sq. ft. Is available in white colored if a trendy roof is desired, or in a number of various shades for cosmetic problems. Another plus with these roofing systems is that huge custom made area slabs may be gotten coming from the factory, minimizing seams secured by the staff on the jobsite. Insusceptible to ozone, algae and also industry joints are actually 3-4 times stronger than EPDM filed seams. There is also an incredible quantity of versatility in the product. And also due to the fact that joints may be joined with hot air, there are no noxious fumes to handle. Both 15 and twenty years guarantees readily available.

Downsides- Being actually solitary ply, they are actually prone to thrown out cigarettes, sudden things fell on the membrane layer, and also defective glass coming from containers thrown on roof (this takes place a WHOLE LOT) I commonly inhibit consumers coming from putting up these forms of devices if the roof possesses a considerable amount of feet visitor traffic or even is actually simply obtainable to unwarranted workers. Before, product shrinking was at times a serious trouble on Thermoplastic as well as PVC rooftops, but adjustments in arrangement and production has actually mitigated this concern. These roof coverings still reduce eventually, though certainly not relevant of breakdown as before.

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

Asphalt Adjusted Bitumen- This roof is what a bunch of individuals call a rubber roof, when it is in fact comprised mostly of asphalt. It is available in 3 ft. large rolls as well as is often torched cognizant an open fire, though they could be applied with warm air welders in particular ailments too.

Pros- In my viewpoint, the most significant strength of these roofs is actually just how effectively they withstand outside stresses. They take care of feet website traffic much better than any other membrane, and also are actually tough to pierce, especially if they possess a granulated area. These roofings are so challenging actually, that a lot of insurance provider won't also identify hailstorm damage as they do on various other roofings (I have personally found changed roofings absolutely mauled along with hailstorm and show up fully intact).

Disadvantages- The absolute most glaring disadvantage along with these units is that there is actually a joint every three feet, that makes for a TON OF seams. If you have a diligent crew with a competent supervisor that will certainly make certain that every joint on the roof is triple checked out, you'll possibly be alright with this unit. If not, 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, here 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.