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An Introduction to Rubber Roofing

Saturday, February 7th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Owners of homes with flat and extremely low sloping roofs have traditionally had a problem with leaks. Because there is no way for rainwater to roll off, it builds up and eventually seeps through the ceiling. Rubber roofing offers a solution, as it repels rainwater, allowing it to dry naturally.

Advantages of Rubber Roofing

Rubber roofing has a number of advantages over traditional felt flat roofs. With felt roofs, the slightest tear can cause the roof to leak. Rubber roofing is durable, lasting anything up to 50 years without needing to be replaced, and does not tear anywhere near as easily as felt. It can survive in temperatures ranging from -62 degrees to 300 degrees Fahrenheit without cracking or deteriorating. It is low maintenance—rubber roof repair is easy and can be done by merely applying a low-cost rubberized solution available at any hardware or building supplies store.

Rubber roofing adds value to your home, too. It has a class A fire rating and is favored by most home insurance companies. Finally, it is an excellent insulator. It can absorb heat in hot weather and release it in colder weather, thus reducing your heating and air conditioning bills.

Another advantage of rubber roofing is cost effectiveness. It is by far the least expensive type of single-ply flat roofing material and weighs less than a third as much as slate roofing tiles.

Disadvantages of Rubber Roofing

Not everyone is enamored of rubber roofing, however. Modified bitumen roofing systems being erroneously described as “rubber roofing” has sometimes caused realtors and building inspectors a headache. In addition, there is a very low margin of error for roofers. If installed incorrectly, it can leak even worse than felt roofing. Fortunately, most rubber roofing manufacturers offer certification schemes to ensure that their products are fitted properly. Make sure your rubber roof is installed by a roofer with the appropriate certification, unless you are doing it yourself, in which case you need to make sure that every seam is flush and that there are no gaps.

Rubber roofing is also relatively new to the market, so there could be problems that have not been noticed yet. They first appeared around 30 years ago, which is generally regarded as the minimum lifespan for this type of roof, so the first ones are starting to wear out around now. The effects of this will become clear as time progresses. Until then, they remain a hard-wearing and inexpensive option for people with flat roofs.

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