The Best Materials for Flat Roof Replacement
Flat roofs abound in Baltimore, whether on commercial buildings or our many row houses. If your home or building’s flat roof is more than 15-20 years old, you may be starting to think about flat roof replacement. While you don’t have as many choices as someone replacing a shingle roof, you do need to decide what flat roof material to use.
Today, we take a look at the 4 main options.
- EPDM Roofing
EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer. That’s quite a mouthful. Essentially, EPDM is rubber roofing. An EPDM rubber roof is black and is most commonly used on commercial buildings, although it can be used in some residential applications.
We would recommend our EPDM rubber roofing for over a bedroom and other living space because the silicone coating in the material will absorb the heat from the sun and reduce that heat to the rooms below. EPDM roofing is extremely durable, and a fully-adhered EPDM flat roof may last 25-30 years.
It is the cheapest flat roof material.
- TPO Roofing
TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin. It’s a single-ply white roofing membrane suitable for use in both commercial and residential applications. The white color reflects the heat from the sun’s rays. This makes it a great option for residential flat roof replacement, as it limits heat transfer and helps keep the living spaces cooler.
When it’s installed properly, a TPO roof will last about 25 years. It’s slightly more expensive than an EPDM roof but makes up for it in lower cooling costs.
- PVC Roofing
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, which is made from processed petroleum. Yes, it’s the same PVC used in pipes, but the roofing material has added plasticizers to make it flexible. Like the TPO membrane, the PVC membrane is also white and has the same heat-reflecting quality. PVC is slightly more flexible than TPO and has been in use longer. When it’s installed correctly, a PVC flat roof should last 25 years and PVC is walkable.
PVC roofing costs more than TPO, at .080 mil versus .060 mil, so you’ll have to compare the pros and cons of the two materials.
- MB Roofing
The MB stands for modified bitumen. MB roofing is multi-ply based roofing. It comes in easy to install and comes in self-adhesive rolls. It is also waterproof if installed correctly. However, MB roofing can be fragile if walked on. It also has a shorter lifespan than your other options and may need to be replaced between 10-20 years.
The cost falls in between the cost of TPO and PVC. But if you’re looking for a roof with longevity, you should go for TPO, PVC, or EPDM roofing
- TPO – lasts approximately 25 years
- PVC – lasts approximately 20 years
- EPDM – lasts approximately 20 years
- Mod Bit – lasts approximately 10 years
When you contact us about your flat roof replacement, we’ll go over all your options with you, and address the pros and cons of each type of flat roof material. We want to help you make an informed decision you’ll be happy with.
Schedule a Flat Roof Replacement Estimate Today
To schedule an estimate for flat roof replacement for your home or commercial building in Baltimore, fill out our contact form or call 410-949-6062. We work within the city limits and 20 miles of Baltimore.
