Here’s why you should consider flat roofing over regular pitched roofing…
Their installation is quicker and easier for one. Less material is required, which in turn means lower construction costs. And you won’t have to insulate any loft space, which means that the building is more energy efficient. Moreover, making any repairs will be cheaper, and cleaning the gutters is easier to accomplish. Sound good so far?
But once you have made the decision to go for a flat roof for your premises, you must then consider what material you want the roof to be composed of. In this article, we’re going to concentrate on EPDM flat roofs…
We’ll explain exactly what it is and go through the various benefits. We also will look at how it compares to other types of flat roofing materials. We’ll then go into the factors that affect the cost of an EPDM flat roof, before explaining how to get a free no-obligation job quote.
And without further ado…
What exactly is EPDM roofing?
EPDM flat roofing offers not only superior durability but also cost-effectiveness, which is why it is used worldwide and has been one of the more popular types of flat roofing for commercial properties for over 40 years.
EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, which is the name given to a single ply of synthetic rubber roofing membrane for low slope roofs.
EPDM roofs have been on the market longer than their PVC and TPO counterparts. And the reason for this is not just down to their significantly more affordable cost, but also because they offer a better product lifespan and a longer service life.
Let’s look at the benefits of EPDM roofing more closely.
Benefits of EPDM roofing
Very Durable and Long Lasting
Rubber roofing materials such as EPDM are built to withstand extreme weather conditions, and this alone is enough to give them a significantly longer lifespan than many of the other flat roofing options out there on the market.
Whereas in many instances a flat roof is only deemed to last 10 years or so, in stark contrast an EPDM roof can be expected to last far longer, and will typically last between a whopping 30 and 50 years.
Low Maintenance Required
EPDM’s natural properties mean that it’s incredibly resistant to blistering, cracks and rot. And this is what makes it so durable and what means it will require very little maintenance and repair work over the years.
That said however, EPDM is not completely indestructible, and damage is possible through such things as heavy foot traffic and falling objects. Such things could cause the membrane to tear.
You can prevent such tearing by opting for a thicker EPDM membrane on installation.
You should keep an eye on the roof once installed, so that any damage is spotted immediately so the necessary repairs can be carried out to prevent any potential leaking.
But, should any such damage occur, it is very quick, easy and simple to repair, and this will not cost much money at all in terms of labor costs, because it’s such an easy matter to rectify and put right.
More Environmentally Friendly
Perhaps one of the best things about EPDM roofing is just how environmentally friendly it is. This is because it’s made from recycled materials.
EPDM flat roofs are BBA certified, which means it is approved by the British Board of Agrement. A BBA status is highly regarded and used by manufacturers in the industry as a symbol of superiority.
Nice Aesthetic
If your premises have a view overlooking the roof, you don’t have to worry about it looking awful. The synthetic rubber doesn’t support the growth of moss on it, so you are guaranteed a clear roof. And, moreover, it doesn’t easily show dirt.
Custom Made and Installed For You
The EPDM membrane that we provide will be cut to your roof’s specifications, and we will install it for you without you or your organization lifting a finger.
How do other types of flat roofing material compare?
Built-Up Roof (BUR)
The traditional hot-tar-and-gravel roof, also known as a Built-Up Roof (BUR for short) is built from three or more plies of waterproof material alternated with hot tar and strengthened by a layer of smooth river stone.
Traditionally such roofs were composed of tar paper, but now they use more advanced materials such as fibreglass.
Although such roofs make for an excellent fire retardant, they are also bereft with issues. It is very heavy, causing wear on the building’s walls. The joists often have to be strengthened before the roof can be installed. Installation is smelly and messy, so is not recommended for occupied buildings. The graven can clog up the gutters and scuppers, and it can be hard to find the source of any leaks.
Modified Bitumen Roof
Modified bitumen roofs are a single ply rolled roof that has been impregnated with a mineral-based wear surface. They use a torch down system whereby the adhesive is heated up as the material is unrolled.
However, such torch down applications are a dangerous fire hazard and are therefore not recommended for buildings that are to be occupied.
Moreover, these bitumen roofs aren’t nearly as scuff or tear resistant as rubber membrane roofs such as EPDM ones.
How much does an EPDM flat roof cost?
The installation of an EPDM flat roof will include both materials costs and labour costs, so we will cover both.
Material Costs
The material costs of EPDM roofing materials are significantly more affordable than several other types of flat roofing materials. For example, fibreglass bay roofs start at £250 per square metre, and lead bay roofs cost even more starting at £300 per metre. EPDM on the other hand tends to cost approximately £80 per square metre.
You can opt for a thicker membrane of EPDM if you prefer, but this will come at an increased cost.
As you may already imagine, the larger the size of the roof required, the greater the price for installation. But there’s more that affects the cost of an EPDM flat roof than just the size of the room to be covered…
Labour Costs
If your roof is difficult to access this may affect labour costs, and similarly, if it’s a particularly high roof, there’s an added danger, and greater risk of injury to the roofers, and this could push up costs.
If you don’t want the roof to be completely flat, and you want to add a slight slope for better drainage of rainwater, this can also be achieved for you at a slightly higher charge.
If the timber in your current roof happens to be a little damaged from debris or moisture from rainwater, then this will have to be addressed and repaired before adding your EPDM layer above. And this will increase the cost of your EPDM installation.
You may also want to consider adding some insulation to the roof, as this will help the premises to retain heat better and make it far more energy efficient and drive down energy costs in the long term. And this too will increase the cost of your EPDM installation.
Summary
As you can see then, it is very advantageous to go for an EPDM flat roof for your premises. There are several benefits to speak of, and it’s available at an excellent price point compared to other flat roofing materials.
EPDM roofs are strong and durable, and easy to repair. They are also far better for the environment than their counterparts.
Please read on to find out how you can book a quote with us and get an EPDM flat roof installed onto your property.
How to book a quote for EPDM flat roofing with us
SureSeal are trusted specialist installers of flat roof systems. And although we are based in South Yorkshire, we do not allow our location to restrict us. It doesn’t matter where your project is, we will be there.
Sureseal offers well priced flat roof solutions, including installation and inspection and repairs.
Our quotes for roof installation are free and place no obligation on your part. We can discuss whether EPDM is the right choice for your particular premises.
Booking a quote with us is easy. You can either speak to us directly on either 01302 302825, or 07973 436305. Or alternatively, you can email us on info@suresealflat roofing.co.uk.
Or if you prefer, you can reach out us via the contact form on our website, just head over to our contact page, fill in the brief for with the required information, and we will come back to you as soon as we can.
Please be sure to specify whether it’s a domestic or commercial EPDM flat roof that you’re interested in. And remember, if your EPDM roof ever needs a patch up in the unlikely event of damage in the future, you can also come to us for any repair jobs too.
