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. Whether you opt for single-layer membranes such as EPDM, TPO, or PVC, traditionally constructed roofs, modified bitumen, or metal roofing, investing in the right material will protect your property and provide you with peace of mind for years to come.
In cases where the roof is not mechanically damaged, for example, if regular access is necessary to maintain roof air conditioning equipment, polymer-based monolayer 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 an excellent option for covering an existing roof, and installation it's fast. It can be mechanically fastened, completely attached to the roof covering and, in rare cases, weighted with gravel.
When mechanically fastened, nails or screws and sheet metal 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 details of the manufacturer, 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 platform membrane.
Low-sloping roofs are more common in arid or desert climates where there is a general lack of rainfall. See How Much It Costs to Replace a Flat Roof for the Budget You'll Need for Each Low-Slope Roof Material. In these cases, if the material used for roofing is not suitable for roofs with a low slope and rainwater stays on it for a long period of time, leaks can occur because water cannot drain as easily as when it is on a standard roof or high slope. Stay on the job for at least two hours to ensure there is no risk of fire, and a non-contact infrared thermometer is useful for locating any spot hotter than the ambient temperature of the roof that may indicate that there are materials burning.
For the past seven years, David Crosby was a public sector project manager responsible for 2.5 million square feet of low-slope roofs. However, if you have a low-sloped roof with an extended carport or porch area, metal panels can be installed to add a touch of style to these flatter surfaces. Low-slope roofs are not as common on residential roofs, so homeowners don't know much in this regard. Single-layer roofing membranes are flat roofing materials made from sheets of elastomeric compounds or synthetic rubber and other bonding agents.
Single-layer membranes are also ideal for low-slope roofs because they have fewer joints than other roofing systems and do not require hot asphalt or torches for installation. Even standard asphalt roof tiles can be used on roofs with slopes as low as 2.5 inches, as long as the subfloor is installed in a double roof configuration. The roofing material you choose is totally up to you, but remember to consider the room underneath and whether you can see it from a window. Whether your house has a steep or low-sloped roof, there is a suitable material to protect and enhance it.
Self-adhesive or torch-applied modified bitumen is a roofing material made from bituminous membranes that provide an effective and durable system when applied to a low-sloped roof. However, metal roofs are still an excellent choice for a low-slope roof because of their durability and great curb appeal. A flat roof is considered part of the low-slope roof category, but a distinction must be made between the two.
