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Building materials article - 2
The Different Roofing Materials Used for Flatroofs, Their Advantages and
Disadvantages
The roof has had many different innovations in regards to the materials used
to make them. Different designs through the years have made it a necessity
to find newer, lightweight and more durable roofing materials. Add this up
to other elements such as location, weather and natural elements and you
have the requirement for different types of roofing materials.
There are two kinds of design for the roof. There is the Sloping or pitched
and then there is the flatroof. Many architects and builders recommend the
pitched or sloped because they are easier to maintain and install. Usually,
flatroofs are used when pitched roofs cannot be. What must be watched out
for is water infiltration when it is not regularly maintained and routinely
repaired for damages.
For an effective flat roof, it should provide a waterproof casing for the
building. Usually, Flatroofing materials form one or two layers of water
resistant materials. These materials should be long lasting and cost-effective.
Flatroofs should be perfectly aligned so as to redirect the water to the
gutters, drains and downspouts to avoid buildup. Below are some of the roofing
materials used for flat roofs, each will consist of their upside and downside,
also the lifespan of the flatroof roofing materials.
One of the newest flatroof roofing materials available in the market that
has been getting high praises is the Thermoplastic Polyolefin Roofing Membranes
or the TPO. The TPO is regarded as the new-generation of single-ply roofing
materials. Even though its single ply, it consists of three components or
layers that make up its entirety. It has a structural deck or the outer skin;
in the middle you will find the thermal insulation barrier, then a waterproofing
skin is what adheres to the roof. Its materials are very efficient in the
task at hand, they can be reusable if installed properly or applied with
water or pebbles. TPO is very durable and has low toxicity. TPO though is
not recyclable since it has petrochemical in it. Since TPO has been around
for only ten years, life span cannot be calculated yet.
Another flatroof roofing material is the Elastomeric membranes or EPDM. They
are usually used for industrial, institutional and commercial buildings.
EPDM is also a singly ply roofing material made from ethylene propylene rubber.
EPDM can be installed by either ballasting, mechanical fastening or full
adherence. If ballasted or mechanically applied, EPDM can be reusable; they
are also durable with an average lifespan of 20 plus years. One problem with
EPDM is that they have been known to shrink in some circumstances.
Polyvinyl chloride or PVC roof membranes have the distinction of having the
longest track record of usage among any thermo plastic roofing membranes.
They have been in use since the start of the 1960s. Even with the emergence
of other flatroof roofing materials, PVC is still employed by many. PVCs
offer many inherent features such as, can be produced in different colors,
it has high resistance to perforation and impact, and resistant also to fire
exposure. It has great flexibility and tolerance to extreme temperatures.
The problem with PVC is that they are not reusable and unrecyclable. The
average span of PVC flatroof roofing material is twenty-five years and some.
One of the most durable flatroof roofing material and has been use for a
long time is the mastic asphalt. Mastic asphalt is the most durable waterproofing
membrane on the market. It is very durable and flexible as well. Mastic asphalt
is recyclable, non-toxic, and odorless and can withstand extreme temperatures.
They can also last for over 60 years.
Depending on the location, use and budget of your structure, each and everyone
of these flatroof roofing material can benefit you. Talk it over with your
designer, engineer, architect and builders and find out which one would best
suit your structure.
Online entrepreneur Sara Jenkins, is dedicated to helping others and their
needs to succeed in life by offering free payroll tips everyday. To learn
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