Low Slope Or Flat Roofs Even Exist In Homes!
Slightly pitched or nearly horizontal roofs are called low sloped or flat roofs and contrary to popular belief, they do still exist all throughout homes across the northern Chicago suburbs. Though the term flat is used to describe these roofs, no roof should be installed completely flat as water and snow would never drain and pool up on top of your roof, and not in a fun way.
That’s why when you need any repairs or remodeling on a low slope or flat roof covering your home, call the expert roofers at Gold Standard Restorations to come out and solve any issue you may have!
What Materials Should Be Used
Most of the low slope products used currently are applied as continuous sheets that are then bonded together with heat or strong adhesives to create this singular sheet that covers the expanse of the roof.
There are, however, two exceptions to this rule: One is that some low slope sections that are between 2/12 and 4/12 can be shingled with special applications of underlayment because they still hold enough pitch to allow water to run down. The second exception is to use sealed metal roofs that are soldered at the seams, but this option is almost always much more expensive.
Low slope materials need to be engineered to create a membrane that is resistant to wind, ice, both expansion, and contraction, & UV radiation that will remain watertight no matter what mother nature has in store. It is, however, difficult to say what will best fit your home’s needs without consultation at your property so don’t wait to call us!
While we have products that we like to use in each application, it is important to note that your property may have special characteristics that make one form of low-slope roofing the best fit for you. When considering options for your home, it is important to have an experienced contractor that will be able to help you find the best solution for your needs and our expert designers will give you the right suggestions.
Different Types of Low-Slope / Flat Roofs We Use
Built Up Roofing
This type of roofing involves alternating layers of fabrics and bitumen that combine together to form a solid membrane. It is then finished with an aggregate layer or coating.
Mod Bit (Modified Bitumen)
A common alternative to built-up roofing, modified bitumen is a roofing membrane consisting of asphalt and plastic or rubber polymers. Often considered an evolution of built-up roofing, it provides the dependability and durability of built-up roofing but has the UV resistance and flexibility of a modified membrane.
This roof system has two types: atactic polypropylene (APP) and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS). The SBS is the most common, boasting highly flexible membranes, giving it stronger expansion and contraction capabilities. APP, on the other hand, has exceptional aging properties, making it a more long-lasting option.
Modified bitumen membranes are hybrids that combine the high-technology formulation and prefabrication benefits of single-ply with traditional roofing installation techniques that are used in built-up roofing. These membranes are factory-fabricated layers of asphalt that are modified using a plastic or rubber ingredient and are combined with a reinforcement.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM)
EPDM is an extremely durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane widely used in low-slope buildings in the United States and worldwide. Its two primary ingredients ethylene and propylene, are derived from oil and natural gas and are available in both black and white. It is widely sold across the nation in a broad variety of widths, ranging from 7.5 feet to fifty feet, and in two thicknesses, 45 and 60 millimeters.
EPDM can be installed either fully adhered, mechanically attached, or ballasted, with the seams of the roofing system sealed with liquid adhesives or specially formulated tape. This helps to make it an easy roof for our pro’s to install quickly so they can be on and off your property quickly.
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO)
TPO is an abbreviation for the scientific term Thermoplastic Polyolefin. It is categorized as a layer of a single-ply membrane that is made of a fabric scrim to both reinforce and stabilize the membrane with synthetic components that result in improved performance. This membrane usually consists of a few different rubber types, often a combination of ethylene-propylene and polypropylene rubber.
This type of system has seen a lot of use in commercial roofing systems for flat roof coverings and is often used because of its reflective nature against UV waves which can help conserve energy and reduce utility costs. The other benefit is that the membrane comes in a large sheet with widths of ten, twelve, and even twenty feet which can be distributed directly to the job site and help reduce the labor of needing to use several four-foot rolls to cover the same area.
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Gold Standard Restorations
So Many Options! Who Can Deliver The Highest Standard?
Obviously, there are a lot of points that must be considered when determining which system is the right one for you. If your home has only a small low slope area that needs to be covered maybe a peel and stick mod-bit system will work for you, or maybe your whole roof is flat and a torch down system will be better.
As we stated above, these decisions should be made with the help of our professional contractors that will be able to help weigh the pros and cons of each system and walk you through the entire decision-making process.
When your roof needs to be replaced, look no further! You will always get the Gold Standard when you choose us and it takes a simple phone call at 847-495-2399 to get our expert designers to come out and answer any questions you may have and just remember to Go for Gold! Go for Gold Standard Restorations!