Monthly Archives: April 2019

What is the Best Material for a Flat Roof?

What is the Best Material for a Flat Roof?

Why Get a Flat Roof?

Are you wondering what is the best material for a flat roof? Let Sugar Land Premier Roofing help you out. Every home and business owner has to consider the possibility of needing to replace their roof. No building lasts forever, and if you don’t keep a close eye on it, your roof may fail during inclement weather.

Not only would this potentially damage the things in your house or business, but also poses a risk to your and your customers. The standard for commercial roofing is the flat roof. These are also gaining popularity in the residential roofing sector. But what are the benefits of a flat roof versus a pitched roof? It’s somewhat easier to build, upgrade, and maintain for larger buildings It is also easily accessible for a business that is part of a shopping complex building.

If your business is in a flat roof building, you need your roof to be high quality for the lowest cost for your business to function. We’ll attempt to answer some of the questions we’ve received regarding flat roofs, like “What is the best type of roof for a flat roof?” and “What is the best coverage for a flat roof?”

Flat Roof Materials

  • Built-Up This roofing method was established over 100 years ago. It is also still the most common form of flat roof. BUR requires applying multiple layers of tar and gravel to the roof’s surface area. The tar is melted down to create a single membrane that keeps out moisture and other elements of the outside world. It takes time to layer on and melt the tar components.
  • EPDM This is the abbreviation of the material used in this flat roof style. Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer is a rubber membrane that is fitted over the top of a flat roof. It is especially popular because it repels both salt water and fresh water.

    It is installable in one piece, meaning there is no seam to deteriorate and break over time. It also helps insulate your home, keeping heat inside in the winter and your cold air inside in the winter. EPDM roofs last approximately 30-50 years, depending on upkeep and maintenance. It is also made from recycled rubber materials, making it somewhat environmentally friendly.
  • Liquid: A new and popular method of flat roofing is applied directly to the roof itself. The coated material dries out, creating a seamless roof material like EPDM. It also allows moisture from the inside to flow outside while not letting in new moisture from the outside. It is durable and flexible, shifting with natural roof fluctuations. Since it is spread on and dries, it requires less labor than EPDM while offering some of the same benefits.

  • Metal This roofing material is becoming increasingly popular. It is durable and lightweight compared to certain other high-quality roofing materials. While it is more expensive than other materials, it also lasts approximately 30 to 50 years. Some experts say that metal roofs will last over 70 years with proper care and maintenance.
What is the Best Material for a Flat Roof?

Flat Roof Issues

A flat roof has a lot of benefits. With proper reinforcement, certain flat rooftops are adaptable into near-patio spaces. Many materials a flat roof is made with are heavily water resistant and durable. If you ask questions like “How long should a flat roof last?” or “How often should you coat a flat roof?” then you should consult roofing contractors regarding the material that makes up your flat roof.

Some of the listed popular roofing materials last a long time. Coating them in reflective paints helps extend their life expectancy while also making your home more energy efficient. If you’re unsure about a roof coating, you should consult the manufacturer or a professional roofer. They should be able to answer your questions.

When someone gets a new flat roof, the building must be reinforced at certain points to compensate for the lack of sturdiness at the top. Flat roofs are also known to have pooling issues if installed incorrectly or neglected over time. This will break down the roofing material and create greater problems.

What is the Best Material for a Flat Roof?

Quality Flat Roof Contractors

Experts recommend yearly heater and air conditioner maintenance. They recommend the same for your roof to ensure its longevity. If you don’t get your roof inspected, you’re leaving yourself open to the potential problems that come with it.

Small problems turn into larger problems over time. That means a pinhole leak today could become a roofing emergency tomorrow. If you neglect your flat roof, you may ask yourself, “How much does it cost to replace a flat roof?” Don’t let your roof get to the point where repairs can’t save it.

Contact your local roofing contractors. When you need more information on flat roof installation in Sugar Land, Texas, contact the trusted roofers of Sugar Land Premier Roofing at 832-581-9234 to learn more!