It’s hard to believe, but in 2022, the flat roofing will have changed dramatically. No longer will standard tar and gravel be the go-to choice for a flat roof; by then, alternative materials
will have taken their place. So, what should you expect from the new flat roofing industry?
Here are the most popular alternatives for different types of roofing you’ll likely see in use.
But first lets going to talk about what are the flat roofs
What Are the Flat Roofs?
Before we talk about what are flat roofs, let’s take a step back and consider why roofs are even necessary.
Most people would say that it’s to keep rain off your head or to provide shelter from other elements like snow, wind, and sun. But there is another reason: security. Think about all the things you store in your home; they’re probably worth quite a bit of money. You want to make sure that nobody can walk right into your house and take them without you noticing. The best way to do this is by preventing entry through windows (and high entries like ladders). And for keeping tabs on who comes onto the property, look to flat roofing materials within the best roofing systems.
Standard Tar and Gravel: The Oldest Flat Roofing Solution
Tar and gravel is the traditional solution for flat roofs, but it’s also the least effective. First off, it takes a lot of time to apply (the process can take up to two weeks), and because of this, you’ll spend around $10/square foot. These roofs can last anywhere from 25-50 years, depending on your geographical location. They’re not the best choice for those who live in harsher climates, since they aren’t as durable as their alternatives. While there are benefits such as lower cost and easy installation, you shouldn’t consider these elite roofers Auckland if you don’t intend to use it for at least 40 years.
Cedar shingles:
Of all the materials that will take over as the go-to for flat roofs, none look quite as natural and visually appealing as cedar.
Cedar is incredibly attractive and durable, so it’s no wonder why so many people choose it. It won’t fade, crack or warp like other roofing alternatives because of its relationship to the sun, and it even has a lifespan of up to forty years. Cedar is also incredibly affordable compared to other roofing materials, so you’ll get all the beauty without the hefty price tag.
Metal shingles:
If you want something different from cedar or asphalt, metal shingles and metal panels are yet another option for you.
Metal roofs work particularly well with low-slope flat roofs because they don’t require any extra support beneath them, which means there’s no need for an extra layer of material to hold them in place.
They can be easily glued right onto your existing roof and create a sleek appearance wherever they’re installed. Not only does this make for a beautiful alternative, but it can also save you money because it requires no extra materials to install.
Rubber roofs:
Rubber isn’t just for cars anymore, and at this rate, it won’t be for much longer. Rubber is incredibly popular as types of roofing, nowadays thanks to its durability and affordability. It can withstand all weather conditions and never crack or warp like other roofing material alternatives will do over time; the only thing you should expect from a rubber roof is years of peace of mind.
Rubber roofs also come in a number of different colors and textures, so finding one that matches your home’s design has never been easier. You’ll get plenty of bang for your buck with these new options on the market too; compared to cedar and metal, rubber shingles are extremely affordable, while still providing all the benefits.
Built-up Roofing
One of the most common methods for waterproofing a roof is by using built-up roofing. It’s made up of tar saturated paper and asphalt, which are then laid out in layers to form the surface of a roof.
Spray-on Roofing
Spray-on roofing is made up of a base layer, fluids that are used to modify the base layer, and additives. They are sprayed onto the roof deck, then coated with acrylic or urethane coatings.
Flat roofs can be expensive to replace when they fail because water infiltration will cause damage to the contents of a building and even collapse it if severe enough.
Over time, single ply membranes such as Bituthene (rubber), Hypalon (chlorosulfonated polyethylene) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) suffer from hot cracking so therefore require special primers on wood substrates and topcoats on concrete surfaces for longevity.
The topcoats are usually polymer modified asphalt and acrylic emulsion. These topcoats will increase prifesionalism and adhesion while providing flexibility and elasticity to the flat roof system.
Single-ply Roofing
There are three popular types of roofing Single-ply roofing – EPDM:
- Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
- TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin)
EPDM membrane is considered to be the lowest quality material available. It’s often called “rubber” but it’s actually made up of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber which comes from petroleum refineries. They do have a lifespan of 20+ years but can only handle temperatures below 176 °F.
PVC membrane is considered to be the second-lowest quality material available. It starts off as vinyl chloride monomer that’s then polymerized into polyvinyl chloride for production.
PVC membranes are known to shrink and crack, which can cause premature wear on single-ply roofs. They can handle temperatures up to 176 °F but have a lifespan of only 15 years.
TPO membrane is considered to be the highest quality material available because it’s made from ethylene propylene rubber that comes from petroleum refineries mixed with thermoplastic olefin (polymer).
TPO has a slightly shorter lifespan than EPDM – usually around 15 years – but it offers more protection against rays, extreme weather conditions, and even fire. It can handle temperatures up to 248 °F, and it has an excellent resistance to chemicals, so it’s often recommended for roofs.
Cost & Life span (material breakdown)
What can you expect to pay for a Rubber Roof?
The average cost of a rubber roof is $93 per square foot. This includes extremely popular for the materials and installation.
Of course, there are many factors that go into this price such as height of your home, pitch, location (local versus on the other side of the country), thickness and more. In all actuality, though, it is not hard to get a great estimate from a contractor in your area if you provide them with details about what you would like done.
The main reason it’s hard to pin down an exact number is because so much goes into getting accurate, many benefits and up-to-date information about current pricing in your specific region. For instance: hurricane really caused some damage in certain areas of the country and inflated the cost.
On the flip side, many areas have been hit with severe winters and that has lowered costs.
Costs can increase or decrease depending on your location, what standard they use to measure against, whether you include installation in your quote, if it’s done by an independent contractor or company etc…
But according to averages from 2018-2019 from over 300 companies who were polled about their prices for rubber roofing a single layer of a 25-year warranty will run you about $93 per square foot.
If you go with a double layered 50-year warranty that is going to run approximately $143 per square foot. That breaks down roughly as: 20 years at 93$ per square foot and 30 years at 143$ per square foot. If you have a need for something longer, say 75 or 100 years, it will cost more: $174 and $235 respectively.
Moreover, there’s the installation, which can cost an extra $3 to $8 (per square foot) on rubber roofing.
Many of the costs rates depends on your roofing contractor, if the roofing contractor offer good prices, and the material they’re using, of course.
Flat roofing materials
Flat roofing material are generally more expensive than their traditional shingle-roof counterparts, so it is important to understand the cost of the materials.
A single layer of EPDM for a slate roof costs around $93 per square foot, while a single layer of PVC costs about $115 per square foot; TPO comes in at $174 per square foot. While this may seem like an ideal solution for flat roofs (and one that will save you money on energy bills), keep in mind that your roof can become too hot during summer months and cause damage to items left outside or even interior furnishings inside the house; plus, they usually don’t last as long as shingles.
Alternative Roof Materials
There are other types of flat roofing materials available besides rubber/EPDM and PVC. For example, you can use metal roofs; however, they are not as cost-effective as rubber or PVC.
Also, it is very important that the roofing company provides a written warranty: metal warranties range from 15 to 30 years (and can go up to 100+ years), but most companies will only guarantee 20 to 30 years of coverage due to metal’s potential rusting properties.
Another alternative is TPO/TPT composite shingles. While these materials resemble traditional asphalt shingle roofs, they offer better durability and heat resistance (up to 350 degrees) than standard asphalt shingles. Moreover, they can achieve Class 4 impact resistance ratings – which means strong winds won’t tear them apart – and Class A fire resistance ratings.
They also come with a variety of styles and colors, as well as the lowest possible lifetime cost (single-layer) among all flat roofing alternatives: $115 to $174 per square foot.
Bring your roof up-to-date
One of the best ways to save money is by making sure your roof doesn’t leak. Doing annual inspections and small repairs can keep leaks from turning into major problems like rot, mold or moisture damage, which may cause you to replace your entire roof – not just the shingles.
If possible, it’s a good idea to know who installed your current roof so that you can call them for future work. Make sure they have a full range of services, including flat roofs. Moreover, seek a company that has been in business at least five years and received positive reviews from at least 30 customers.
While most roofers offer similar services (repair or replacement), certain factors could determine whether they are better than others: experience level, license, insurance and certifications, number of projects completed/year, customer reviews and testimonials. In addition, some roofers may work with specific brands more than others – which means if you have a certain type of roofing material that you prefer or want to match your current roof shingles as closely as possible, make sure they can accommodate those requests.
Advantages of install a new flat roof with us
- energy conservation
- weather resistant
- naturally reflective
- extremely durable
- holding high winds
- energy efficient
- budget friendly
- eco-friendly option
- heating and cooling bills avoiding
- used the most common roofing materials
Why to hire M&M Roofing Corp for your flat roof needs?
By contacting M&M Roofing Corp, you are choosing a local family owned and operated business that has been serving the community since 1994. We offer flat roofs of all materials including rubber, TPO, PVC and more. We provide free quotes on our work, which includes tear-offs too! With competitive prices, no job is too small or big for us!
Make sure to get your roof done by professionals who know what they are doing. We have the right tools for the job with licenses to prove it! If you are looking for affordable roofers, then contact us today at 908-977-7770
Note: We do not offer service for commercial buildings, green roofs, metal roof(metal roofing), asphalt roofs, solar roofing and we don’t use recycled materials.
M & M Roofing Corp provides quality roofing services in New Jersey. We are a full-service roofing company that can meet your every need. Contact us today for a free consultation, and we will be happy to answer any of your questions
