Residential Rubber Flat Roof
The sheet rubber roofing material that tom is using requires a substrate called iso board inch thick rigid foam made of polyisocyanurate with a special fiberglass backing.
Residential rubber flat roof. Rubber is also long lasting. So all you need to be able to say to your roof contractor is you want an epdm rubber roof. If 1 sheet of rubber would cover entire roof with no seams it would be a great roof. The truth about residential flat roofing market and contractors.
The iso board a flat version of the same material he orders custom fitted for larger roofs cuts easily with a utility knife and anchors to the plywood sheathing with screws and large galvanized steel washers. Flat roofs can be made from a variety of different materials and substances including asphalt built up roof bur modified bitumen hypalon pvc tpo and epdm synthetic rubber. Since they can easily purchase rubber roofing materials from their roofing supply warehouse and are not required to be certified installers nor do they need any special training or equipment they will often undertake such projects to keep their crews busy. This may make it less ideal for rainy or snowy climates.
The problem is seams and flashings. Flat roofs are horizontal roofing with a very slight inclination usually 10 degrees. Homeowners no longer need to use tar with toxic fumes to seal their flat roofs. The national roofing contractors association provides an overview 1.
Most residential rubber roofs are made of single ply epdm synthetic rubber ethylene propylene diene monomer. Of all these membrane types epdm synthetic rubber is the most common single ply membrane roof material in both residential and commercial use. Not only is the roofing material itself less expensive than most other choices but the product is also lightweight and installation is fast and easy reducing labor and installation costs. Also known as low slope roofs flat roofs are less common in north american residential construction because the low slope of a flat roof has an increased tendency to collect water rather than shed like its more steeply pitched alternative.
Built up roof bur modified bitumen roof mbr and rubber membrane roof epdm. Flat roof features and design. Rubber roof membranes are often used on flat or low slope buildings including mobile homes or on unusually shaped roofs such as on a dome. Rubber and pvc coatings are newer products you can use to seal your roof from the elements.
The type of coating you choose for your roof will depend on your roof s existing condition and the kind of coating already on your roof. The rubber is glued into place negating the use of heat which can adversely affect a homeowner s insurance policy. Even peel and stick is a big issue especially around corners because material is stretched it naturally wants to pull back to its original state and when glue fails and it always does corner flashings come off.