flat roof replacement - what materials are best? Information, help and advice on maintaining, installing and repairing a flat roof. Post your questions and view answers here

[cooper1997]

We've had two quotes from roofers to replace our garage roof, one uses just felt and suggested that the silver covering on a flat roof we had replaced on our extension last year needed re-painting every two years and was harder to maintain. The second guy uses the silver covering (or black) over the felt.

We are just not sure which would be best and are now worried about the regular maintanence involved with our exisitng roof.

Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks

[welsh brickie]

I would use fiberglass,no maintaince needed

[HH]

Have you considered the EPDM material to replace the felt.

[alavapint]

Got to agree with HH on this one ... about 28 years ago I covered my whole house with a Butyl Rubber sheet. That was the last time I did any repairs to my roof.

EPDM is very much like Butyl ... fit it and forget it.
A detached single garage would easily be completed in 3-4 hours.

[dmckay]

I bought firestone EPDM membrane from (Google "ensorbuilding.com") for a shed roof project.

very easy to install and no maintenance

[xavi99]

What is the purpose of the silver paint. Is it to be solar reflective? There are alternative felts which do not require solar reflective coverings and hence no maintenance.

Alternatively you could use chippings on the roof covering which again need no maintenance.

I would assume that the other prodcuts mentioned in replies will be more expensive, but no harm in seeking plenty of estimates. Also make sure the product provides an insurance backed guarantee, usually 20 years I believe.

Good luck,

99

[RubberRoofer]

Don't choose GRP / fibreglass - it cracks

I also second EPDM such as Firestone / Duoply.

Much better solution.