4 Best Flat Roof Materials

  • PVC Roofing. For many projects, PVC roofing is our preferred choice as the best flat roof material on the market. …
  • Metal Roofing. A commercial standing seam metal roof is the ideal choice for a building with a roof slope greater than 2 inches. …
  • TPO. …
  • Modified Bitumen Roof.

Which type of flat roof is best?

EPDM Membranes





Quite possibly the best flat roofing membrane, EPDM is a relatively low-cost flat roof material that offers a number of significant advantages. Clean, straightforward installation, incredible strength, a long lifespan, and a smart finish combine to make EPDM membranes a difficult one to beat.

What is the longest lasting flat roof material?

PVC Single-Ply Membrane

It is designed to last between 15 and 30 years, making it the longest-lasting flat roof material you will find. It should come as no surprise that many commercial roofing contractors will only install a flat roof if it is PVC.

What is best for a new flat roof?

PVC single-ply membrane systems





This type of system is arguably the most popular when it comes to replacement flat roofing. PVC membranes are strong and durable and seams are heat welded to form a 100% watertight seal. In fact, the seams are stronger than the membrane itself!

Which type of flat roof covering has the longest lifespan?

Lightweight single-ply roofing can last for as long or longer than layered roofs depending on the properties of the material, the design of the roof and reliance on commercial roof repair. EPDM and TPO roofing generally last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, while TPO roofs have stronger seams than EPDM roofing.

Which is better felt or fibreglass?

Fibreglass is much more durable than felt and stronger too. It has no seams, so it’s less likely to fail and let water in, and it’s relatively easy for a professional to repair if damaged. The benefits of fibreglass roofing for the consumer are its durability, longevity and high performance.

What is PVC roofing?

What is PVC roofing? Made from polyvinyl chloride (or in layman’s terms, plastic), PVC is a great single-ply roofing solution. It’s made from a lower percentage of oil and petroleum than thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) or ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM).

Which is better EPDM or TPO?



TPO has better dimensional stability than EPDM. EPDM is more likely to shrink which can cause a variety of problems on your roof.

Is EPDM good for flat roofs?

Due to its natural properties, once installed, the rubber will be completely resistant to blistering, cracks, and any rot. This gives EPDM rubber roofing many further advantages to other types of flat roofing and gives you as the customer fewer things to worry about.

Is bitumen cheaper than EPDM?

Cheaper than EPDM roofing



While EPDM is an affordable material, modified bitumen is even cheaper. You spend $3 per square foot for installation. It is because of this lower cost that building owners use it over other flat roof systems.

Are fibreglass flat roofs any good?

Fibreglass roofing systems are known to be durable, have excellent longevity and high performance. While Fibreglass roofs are a newer edition to the roofing industry, they have a greater life expectancy of roughly 20-30 years.

Can I put tiles on a flat roof?

Full Answer. Yes it is possible to install slabs or tiles on top of an EPDM flat roof.

Are fiberglass roofs worth?

Fiberglass roofing is a great option for your roof installation project because it is a tough and very resilient material that is non-porous, does not change shape, and won’t dry out.

How long will a fiberglass roof last?



30-50 years

While fiberglass shingles may cost more per square foot than your average asphalt shingles, their quality and longevity can add significant value to your home and save you money on costly roof repairs. With proper maintenance, you can expect fiberglass shingles to last for 30-50 years.

Are fiberglass roofs durable?

Fiberglass Roof

Since fiberglass is durable, it helps to prevent cracks and further damages, plus it is flame-resistant. It has a wide variety when it comes to styles, colors, and patterns. This type of roof is also easy to install, that’s why it won’t be hard to repair or replace it if a damage occurs.

What is asphalt fiberglass roof?



These types of shingles are the most popular for residential rooftops. They are the common asphalt shingles that you can see just by driving down the street. These shingles are made from a fiberglass mat – tough strands of plastic woven together – and covered with asphalt coatings and granules for protection.

Can fiberglass be used as roofing?

Fiberglass shingles are an extremely popular choice for roofing. They come in many styles and colors to choose from and are very easy to install. Although not as common as regular asphalt shingles, fiberglass roofs have become more and more popular with certain types of home designs.

Are Fibreglass shingles better than asphalt?

Value: Even though they are thinner and use less asphalt, fiberglass shingles typically cost the same as organic shingles but last longer so have better value. Environmental Impact: Funnily enough, fiberglass shingles are better for the environment than organic asphalt shingles.

What’s the difference between laminate and fiberglass shingles?

By virtue of their heavier construction, laminated shingles are able to last longer than 3-tab shingles. With more protective asphalt, granules and fiberglass per square foot, laminated shingles can resist sun, heat, impact and water damage more effectively and for a longer time than 3-tab shingles can.

What do laminate shingles look like?

They are flat, with only one shingle tab shape and size. Laminate shingles are also known as “laminated architectural” or just “architectural” shingles. They are a type of asphalt shingle, but are built with a heavier base mat and multiple material layers of a more refined type of asphalt.

Are laminate shingles good?

Laminate shingles may be an expensive roofing material, but they remain worth the investment. Since laminate shingles are thick, they can withstand significant amounts of wear and tear, including heavy winds and snowstorms. Their heavy weight makes them much less likely to fly away on a windy day.