Over the years, traditional flat roof options have declined in popularity due to the advancement in other suitable materials, felt roofs have been in the market for decades without being seen as a problem, however, commercial building owners and business owners found concerns about flat roofing.
Some have problems with their appearance as traditional flat roofs aren’t that easy on the eye, traditionally again, flat roofs were heat applied, making them not suitable for heavy foot traffic.
Thankfully technology has caught up with the flat roofing industry and there are now several better options available in the market for flat roofing.
Built-Up Roofing
One of the most popular roofing materials that have historically been used on a low-sloped roof is built-up roofing. Built-up roofs are made up of tar-saturated paper or liquid tar with several layers of gravel, asphalt, rolled asphalt, or modified bitumen. Each layer added ensures that the roof installed is more durable and long-lasting.
Finally, an aggregate layer of coating is applied as the top layer. The type of surface coating used can have a significant impact on the cost and durability of the roof.
Spray Applied Roofing
Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF)
Sprayed polyurethane foam is a material that has existed for many years. It is sprayed as a liquid that eventually expands into a foam that creates a solid layer across an existing roof.
Synthetic or Single-Ply Membranes
Over the last few years, single-ply roof membranes have become one of the most popular flat roofing materials not just for flat roofing but for roofing projects of all shapes and sizes. However, it’s mainly used for single-ply works for low slope roofs.
Single-ply roof membranes are comprised of flexible sheets of synthetic polymer that are both swift to install and sage. This makes them ideal for lightweight, fast track, and cost-effective construction projects.
As the name suggests, a single sheet of this synthetic polymer-based roofing material can provide a waterproofing layer. They also exhibit great resistance to UV radiation, which is superior when compared to other products. Its main USP is that it is intended to be installed in one layer.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)
EPDM is suitable to the flat roofing industry because of its durability, long lifespan, and it is the ease of installation.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer or EPDM is a durable and inexpensive type of synthetic rubber usually made from recycled materials. EPDM is a natural black membrane. Even in the harshest weather conditions, EPDM has proven to be a versatile choice.
Here at AAC Waterproofing, our fully recyclable, waterproof EPDM sheeting, with the proven durability of over 50 years, is prefabricated in our North Wales factory.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC, which is short for Polyvinyl Chloride has been used on commercial roofs for many years. It is crafted by combining ethylene and chlorine to produce ethylene dichloride (EDC) before being processed to produce vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).
Our PVC of choice is Protan and we are approved installers.
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)
TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin, which is a blend of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubber. Unlike EPDM and PVC, TPO hasn’t been in the market for a very long time, but it has been widely used in roofing for its cost-effectiveness and colour.
TPO is one of the cheapest materials on the market today, costing less than other single-ply membranes. It also has a white colour that helps reflects UV rays and prevents heat build-up within the building although it can also be made in other colours as required.
Our TPO of choice is KOSTER Waterproofing Systems and we are an approved installer.
Working With You
AAC Waterproofing is proud to be skilled in installing several of the material types mentioned above, for further information on how we can work with you on your commercial or industrial project, please get in touch with us.