The smart Trick of Maggio's Roofing That Nobody is Discussing

There are various roof devices offered in today's market, each with several strengths and weak points. Listed below I am going to describe each body briefly, and after that detail the pros and cons.

Thermoplastic and PVC- Solitary ply, could be robotically fastened, fully adhered or ballasted.

Pros- Top-notch functionality in ponding water conditions. Very lightweight roofings, round 30lbs. every one hundred sq. ft. Can be found in white if an awesome roof is wanted, or even in many various colours for aesthetic issues. One more plus with these roof coverings is actually that sizable custom made industry sheets can be purchased from the manufacturing facility, lessening joints sealed off due to the workers on the jobsite. Resistant to ozone, algae and field seams are 3-4 times stronger than EPDM filed joints. There is actually likewise a significant volume of adaptability in the component. And since seams can be bonded with hot air, there are no poisonous seethes to take care of. Each 15 and also two decades manufacturer's warranties on call.

Drawbacks- Being actually singular ply, they are actually vulnerable to discarded cigarettes, sharp objects dropped on the membrane, and broken glass from bottles thrown on roof (this happens a LOT) I generally discourage customers from setting up these types of systems if the roof has a great deal of foot web traffic or is easily accessible to unauthorized personnel. In the past, material shrinkage went to opportunities an intense concern on Thermoplastic and also PVC rooftops, yet improvements in arrangement as well as production has alleviated this problem. These roofing systems still shrink in time, though not to the point of failure as over the last.

Profit- Wonderful rooftops, specifically on roof coverings that pond water highly, so long as the roof is typically available only to authorized personnel.

Asphalt Tweaked Asphalt- This roof is what a considerable amount of folks get in touch with a rubber roof, when it remains in truth composed mainly of asphalt. It can be found in 3 ft. vast rolls and also is actually normally torched down with an open flame, though they can be administered along with warm air welders in specific problems as well.

Pros- In my opinion, the largest toughness of these roof coverings is how well they resist outdoors stress and anxieties. They deal with foot traffic far better than some other membrane layer, as well as are difficult to prick, particularly if they have a granulated surface. These roofs are actually therefore difficult in fact, that most insurer will not even recognize hail storm damages as they perform on other roofs (I have actually directly viewed modified rooftops completely pounded with hail storm and also emerge completely un-damaged).

Downsides- The absolute most glaring disadvantage along with these bodies is that there is actually a joint every three feets, that makes for a BUNCH OF seams. If you possess a thorough team with a capable supervisor who will make certain that every joint on the roof is three-way examined, you'll most likely be alright using this system. Or even, you could 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 Website 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, 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.