What is a good material for a flat roof?
When planning a project that will need a flat roof, it is very important to understand which material will be the best for your needs. There are numerous materials out there, so take a read before choosing your flat roofing material.
Felt
Felt is the conventional flat roofing material, which has been continually developed and improved. Commonly, felt is available in sheets and is attached using a blow torch, with about 3 layers per roof consisting of a vapour control, enhanced sheet and cap sheet. This means you can choose the colour of the upper layer and it’s relatively simple to fix – just torch the patch to a damaged area. Torch on roof felt is one of the cheapest options out there and great for a variety of uses, but would need a professional to install.
Built Up Roofing
One of the most common and oldest types of roofing materials for flat roofs is built up roofing. It consists of applying tar and gravel then creating multiple layers that forms a watertight barrier to stop leakage. However, remember that to build the roof using this method takes a lot of time because many layers need to be made, and because of the weight of the materials used, can often require additional support structures. The installation process is quite time consuming and can be messy with an unpleasant smell.
EPDM
EPDM is a rubber form and although there are alternatives, such as PVC, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer is the most used. A major benefit of EPDM is that it’s water resistant to salt water and fresh water, and is also used as a seal in pond liners, tubing and more. EPDM is suitable for low sloping roof, and a big advantage is that it often can be mounted as one whole sheet, allowing you to cover the entire roof, eliminating the need for a waterproofing seam. In addition, EPDM is environmentally friendly, as it consists of recycled rubber material, and it takes very little energy to manufacture. They also retain heat in cold weather, keeping down the costs of heating, and the thick rubber to prevent heat in the summer. For advice from a Cheltenham Roofer, visit a site like stormroofingltd.co.uk/
Liquid
A Liquid roof is a new alternative, especially suitable for when the roof is a more complicated structure. These coatings are directly applied to the roof deck, and the layers then spread to create a single seamless cover. Although potentially more expensive, it is much less labour intensive so it can reduce time and labour costs. Furthermore, it allows water vapour from inside the building to escape while being waterproof from the outside and has the power of a high elasticity to allow the movement of natural roof.
GRP Fibreglass Flat Roofs
Another alternative when looking to install a flat roof is a fibreglass roof. GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) consists of strands of glass that are joined to form a layer of fibreglass. Although one of the more expensive forms of roofing materials, they can be put in one to two simple layers which are lightweight and strong, and it has a smooth aesthetic and easy to repair patch.
