A single-ply membrane roof consists of plastic, modified bitumen & synthetic rubber sheeting laid over the roof deck, usually in a single ply.
Properly installed & maintained, single-ply membrane roof should last up to 15 to 20 years, if not longer. Roof penetrations & seams are the most vulnerable parts of this roof system & should be carefully designed & installed.
Single-ply membrane roofing are installed in three basic ways:
* fully adhered
* mechanically attached
* loose laid with ballast
- Some membrane roof systems periodically require re-coating & if not re-coated appropriately, problems will arise.
- An un-protected roof will need to be inspected for surface degradation, fading of the coating on a protected roof & also for signs of water ponding or poor drainage.
- The coating is thought to protect against environmental issues such as UV rays, insect habitation & chemical decomposition.
- If considering a roof system that will require re-coating, estimate the cost involved to re-coat & the frequency of the re-coating.
- Once you’ve done that, do a little more research on the cost & life expectancy of a PVC, TPO or EPDM roof.
Other membrane types such as PVC (Duro-Last), TPO, & EPDM (Carlisle) do NOT require coatings & can often be installed over top of other roof systems. Some of these systems are known to have the best 15 & 20 year warranties that include consequential damage.
We will give you solid advice on your membrane roof whether you need roof repair or roof replacement. If you have questions regarding this roof type, email or call us, we’d be glad to help you determine the best value for you & your building.