The summertime brings an optimal opportunity to renovate your home. From perfecting the landscaping to adding new fixtures to your patio or deck, home owners revel for the chance to upgrade their property. One thing that should be at the top of everyone’s list is considering whether or not you need to improve your roof (which can increase your home’s value). Because after all, the calm and precipitation-less summer is the best time to add a new roof.
What Are the Three Types of Roofing?
If you’re looking for a new roof, there are three primary roofing types to consider: bonnet roofs, gable roofs, and flat roofs. Bonnet roofs have twin slopes, and the higher slope provides room for a small attic or vaulted ceiling. Gable roofs, also known as peaked roofs, have triangular outlines, which are particularly useful for shedding snowfall easily. Finally, flat roofs have no pitch but a slight dip to collect and drain water runoff.
Each roof type brings its own benefits, but AWS Roofing of Florida focuses exclusively on flat roofing. With over 30+ years of experience, we know the flat roof product is ideal for most customers, especially in the Florida area. We’ve been family-owned and providing both commercial and residential services since 1987.
Pros and Cons of Flat Roofing
Flat roofs are most common for commercial buildings. The application process is straight-forward, affordable, and effective. Additionally, they allow extra overhead space for HVAC systems. Flat roofs are also a good choice for houses in high rainfall areas, which makes them ideal for Florida.
On the other hand, flat roofs used to have the reputation for leaks and repairs. Newer technology and material options have gone beyond what flat roofs were several years ago. This is especially important to make them waterproof, combating leaks better than ever.
With that overview, let’s dive into the different types of flat roof options.
Built-Up Roof (BUR)
This is the most common flat roof type, or at least it was just a decade ago. Built-up roofs use several layers of an asphalt material that’s embedded in bitumen. Asphalt shingles encountered the issue of a low pitch, which the built-up roof solves. The asphalt and bitumen make a monolithic roof membrane; this process is repeated to make two to four piles of thickness. Finally, contractors apply crushed stone granules on the top layer, which protects against UV rays and weather.
Single Layer Membrane Roof
The single layer membrane roof is newer roofing technology. It’s also the common choice for commercial roofs. Within single layer membrane roofs, there are a few different varieties: polychloroprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene sheets, and polymer-modified bitumens.
We understand those can be technical names, so we’ll simplify it. EPDM is the most common single layer membrane roof, for either residential or commercial properties. The application process is easy because it’s just one layer. This flat roof can withstand temperature changes and impact better since it’s constructed of synthetic rubber or polymer.
Modified Bitumen Roofing
Modified bitumen roofing (MBR) was designed as a replacement for built-up roofing. MBR has the same material as built-up roofing except it adds polymer reinforced roof wear layers (or, “cap sheets”). The application process can vary depending on the project, so installation is either hot, torch, cold applied, or self-adhered. A large benefit of a MBR flat roof is the polymer improves elasticity and flexibility for lower temperatures.
What Flat Roof Lasts the Longest?
Most flat roofs typically last up to 20 years. But many factors can affect that number, including the type of flat roof. Specifically, the ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) lasts the longest because its design effectively endures strong weather conditions.
Contact AWS Roofing for a Free Flat Roof Estimate
AWS Roofing would love to provide a new roof for your home. It’ll be the perfect summer touch to withstand the tough winter and rainy spring next year and for years to come. We service Edgewater, Daytona Beach, and many other areas.
