For more than 30 years, the Bill Ragan Roofing team has been helping homeowners choose the right roofing material for their next roofing project.
Now, I'll help you find the one that best fits your low-pitched roof.
PVC roofing membrane (polyvinyl chloride) is a single-layer white membrane used in commercial and residential roofing. The advantage of this roofing membrane being white means that it reflects heat rather than absorbing it. The white membrane gets dirty over time and is very noticeable if you can see it from a window.“Dirt” will not affect the functionality of the PVC roofing membrane. As long as the PVC roofing membrane is properly installed, you should use it for around 25 years. The TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) roofing membrane is also a single-layer white membrane that is used both in commercial as well as residential roofs. Like PVC, it has the advantage of a white membrane that reflects heat.
The only major difference is that a PVC roofing membrane is more flexible than a TPO membrane. Like PVC, a TPO roof membrane is an excellent choice for a low slope over a living space. But remember to keep in mind how white gets dirty as it ages and what it looks like when you see it from the window. Like PVC, you can expect a TPO roof membrane to last around 25 years, provided it's properly installed.
The EPDM roofing membrane (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a black synthetic rubber membrane that is primarily installed in commercial and medical facilities. However, EPDM is becoming increasingly popular in residential roofs. While I recommend placing an EPDM membrane for low-pitched roofs rather than in a garage or in a non-living space, you can still install it on the roof of a bedroom or a living room. Just be sure to consider heat absorption when making your final decision.
The great advantage of an EPDM roofing membrane is that it's extremely durable, and I like to say that it's like having a bulletproof rubber roof. This durability means you can wait 25 to 30 years using a fully bonded 0.060-thick EPDM roofing membrane. A metal roof with vertical joints is an excellent option for a roof low inclination. It offers better aesthetics with more color options and lasts longer than membranes.
There's no reason why you shouldn't put up with your flat metal roof with erect joints for at least 30 years, as long as it's properly installed. Since 1990, the Bill Ragan Roofing team has replaced flat, low-slope roofs for homeowners in Nashville and surrounding areas of Central Tennessee. We take pride in our workmanship and back it up with an artisanal guarantee of for life. In cases where the roof is not subject to mechanical damage, for example, if regular access is required to maintain roof HVAC equipment, single-layer polymer-based membranes, such as TPO, PVC and EPDM, are an excellent option.
They are easy to clean, inspect and repair in case of emergency (although permanent repairs must be performed by a certified professional in the manufacturer's system). Polymer-based roofs are lightweight, making them a great option for covering an existing roof, and installation is quick. It can be mechanically fixed, completely attached to the roof covering and, in rare cases, ballasted with gravel. When mechanically fastened, nails or screws and sheet plates are used on top of the sheet, where the next layer will be superimposed on them.
Then, this joint is glued for polymer-based ceilings, which are easy to clean, or glued with adhesive tape. It's crucial to pay attention to the manufacturer's details, and it's important to recognize that with a single layer there are no redundant layers. If there is no insulation above the roof cover, a subfloor will be used to protect the membrane from cover. Even standard asphalt roof tiles can be used on roofs with a slope as low as 2.5 inches, as long as the subfloor is installed in a double roof configuration.
Choosing the right roofing material is especially important for a low-pitched roof, as this type of roof is more exposed to water, UV rays, debris, and foot traffic, and must be durable enough to withstand damage. While asphalt shingles, the most common type of roof, are not suitable for a low slope, there are certain types of roofing systems that are exceptionally suitable for applications with low slopes. The bituminous material is usually asphalt derived from petroleum distillation, but for roofs at ground level or with very low slopes, coal tar bitumen or coal tar pitch is used for its self-healing qualities. For an application on roofs with a low slope, a double locking system with mechanical stitching must be used to achieve maximum weather tightness.
In these cases, if the material used for roofing is not suitable for low-sloped roofs and rainwater stays there for an extended period of time, leaks can occur because water cannot drain as easily as when found on a high-slope or standard roof. On the other hand, a roof with a low slope does not have the same possibilities, since the roof has little or no visibility when viewed from street level. A good roof with a low slope (with a slope of 3 in 12 or less, according to the National Association of Roofing Contractors, or NRCA) rarely receives attention. The subfloor is critical, and is often required by building codes, for low-pitched roofs, as it provides an additional layer of protection against water that helps reduce the chances of leaks and water damage.
Low-sloped roofs are more common in arid or desert climates, where there is a general lack of rainfall. A flat roof is considered part of the low-slope roof category, but a distinction must be made between the two. Homes or buildings with sloping roofs have the opportunity to design a roofing system that is the jewel of their property, as it is in plain sight. Choosing the right type of roof system for a low slope is crucial to prevent water from damaging your home. For the past seven years, David Crosby was a public sector project manager responsible for 2.5 million square feet of low-slope roofs.
In addition to choosing the right roofing material for a low slope, you should also make sure that you use the correct roof subfloor. We have compiled the 5 main types of roofing materials you should consider when you have a low slope to help you choose the roofing material that best fits to your needs.
