Over the last few years, flat roof covering
has just continued to grow in popularity in the UK. Not only is it a great
option for those looking for a low maintenance roof, but it’s also highly
durable and quick to repair.
Thanks to its sturdiness, durability and
flexibility, you may be considering getting a flat roof installed. Or you may
be keen to learn more about it before making a decision on whether it’s the
right choice for you. Either way, you’re in the right place. At WR Leivers
Roofing, we have years of experience with flat roof installation and repair in
Nottingham. Read on to find out a little more about the different ways flat
roofing installed so you can find the best option for you.
Let’s kick off by taking a look at the general
benefits of a flat roof:
● It’s strong and sturdy - designed
to withstand all kinds of weather conditions
● It’s durable - flat roofs are
built to last
● It’s cost effective - which is
attractive for those worried about the new roof cost
● It can increase the value of your
property as its highly desirable
● You can a number of different
shapes, colours and designs
There are a number of flat roofing materials
for you to choose between. While the variety is a good thing, it also makes it
easy to feel slightly overwhelmed and confused about which one to opt for. The
good news is that your contractor will be able to help guide you. But it also
helps to learn about all the different options available in advance.
Next, let’s take a closer look at the
different flat roofing materials for you to choose from:
Felt flat roof
Felt is a commonly used lightweight material
for flat
roofs. You’ll usually find it on smaller spaces such as
shed or garage roofs. Felt roofs used to be laid down using hot bitumen. This
was a slow and frustrating process, so torch-on felt is now the product of
choice.
Felt is a really low priced roofing material,
which is what attracts most people to it!
Pros
● It’s the most affordable material
● Felt can be fitted on to any size
of roof
Cons
● Felt is difficult to install
yourself, even for smaller projects
● It’s not the most suitable for
heavy or frequent football
Asphalt flat roof
Asphalt is a popular choice of material for
paving, flooring, and roofing. It can be laid only on sturdy roof structures
while hot. It cools down to form a hard and durable flat
roof
that can withstand a fair bit of damage and
footfall. The lifespan of an asphalt roof is impressive, especially if it is
well maintained. If you do need repairs, you’ll find that they’re quick and
relatively cheap.
The only real issue with an asphalt roof is how
heavy it is. You’ll need a strong roof construction to support it.
Pros
● Asphalt is well priced for the
lifespan
● It’s extremely durable and hard
wearing - hence why it’s often used for driveways!
● Suits most roof sizes
Cons
● This heavy material requires a
really sturdy roof structure
● It’s not easy to install yourself
if you’re keen on DIY
● Not very flexible
EPDM rubber flat roof
E.P.D.M. (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is
a lightweight roofing material that has recently become more popular in the UK.
It's tough elastic nature makes it a good fit for most roofing structures and
sizes. If installed properly and maintained with care, and EPDM roof could last
you for at least 50 years. The inherent durability of the material means some
roofing manufacturers will even guarantee that.
EPDM flat roofs are easy to repair if they do
ever get damaged. The only downside of this roof is that its appearance may not
be to everyone’s taste.
Pros
● A lightweight and flexible
material
● Works well with green roofs
● Hard wearing and difficult to
damage!
Cons
● Not the most aesthetically
pleasing flat roofing material
● Can shrink in size over time
GRP fibreglass flat roof
GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) fibreglass
roofs have also become more popular in the last few years. While they may not
last as long as more durable materials such as asphalt and EPDM, they don’t
show much sign of damage and are great to look at. You can customise your roof
by picking the laminate thickness colour you want. GRP roofs are also a good
lightweight choice for green roofs.
If you do decide to go for this option, make
sure that your contractor installs anti-slip coating to avoid any accidents.
Pros
● Lightweight and hard wearing
● One of the best looking flat roof
materials
● Can be installed without
specialist help
Cons
● Not flexible
● Not great for large roof sizes
PVC flat roof
This lightweight material has been popular
since the ‘60’s. Not only is it great at handling all types of weather
conditions, but it’s also a popular choice due to its fire resistant nature.
PVC flat roofs can often be spotted on commercial premises for this very
reason.
A potential downside is that it could shrink
over time and it may not last as long as other more durable materials. It’s
also more costly to install, which is why it isn’t often used for domestic
properties.
Pros
● Lightweight and flexible
● Attractive
● Can handle large roof sizes
● Fire resistant, which makes them
hugely popular for commercial properties
Cons
● Pricier than other flat roof
materials
● Not great at coping with frequent
footfall
It’s clear to see that each flat roof material
comes with its own pros and cons. Eventually, the one you choose will depend on
your budget, roof structure, and personal preference. The good news is that all
these materials are more or less durable, very low maintenance and fairly cost
effective.
At WR Leivers in Nottingham, our team of
roofing experts would be happy to advise you further. You can also learn more
about the actual process of laying down the roof. We can also provide any
roofing accessories you may need. Get
in touch
today to speak to a member of our friendly team
for roof installation, maintenance and repairs.
