Roofs have to be More than Pretty

When choosing a new roof for their home many customers assume any new roof they install will perform in the watertight manner they are expecting so they focus their attention on the aesthetics of a new roof. However, while roof aesthetics are of paramount importance on a residential application, it is important that the roof’s watertight integrity and performance criteria are held in equally high regard. Because a pretty new roof that leaks is a far greater frustration then an ugly roof that is watertight.

The scenario in which we at Roof Services most often encounter this conflict between performance and aesthetics is when roofing low slope residential roofs. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association and all major asphalt shingle manufactures, asphalt shingles should not be installed if the pitch of the roof 2/12 or less. At this low pitch the water shedding properties of asphalt shingles are not sufficient protection against snow and wind driven rain and a flat roof membrane is probably required.

In situations such as the top of a dormer which are not visible from the ground, Roof Services standard go-to membrane is EPDM. EPDM is a volcanized rubber sheet that is used for high performance commercial flat roofs and performs equally well on residential flat roofs. The advantage of EPDM is that it is extremely low maintenance, it is very resistant to Ultraviolet degradation and it is a very serviceable roof membrane over its lifetime. The disadvantage of EPDM is that it looks like a black rubber roof.

In cases where the low slope residential roof can be prominently viewed from either the ground or from within the house, color matched modified asphalt rolled roofing can then be used, both GAF and Tamco, two (2) of the largest shingle manufacturers in the country, make granule surfaced modified asphalt roll roofing in colors to match their asphalt shingles. While higher maintenance then an EPDM rubber roof, the color matched asphalt products provide a useful combination of watertight membrane necessary for low slope applications, and aesthetics which match and compliment the adjoining shingle roof areas.

By utilizing EPDM rubber roofing and color matched granule surface asphalt rolled roofing, most residential low slope roof scenarios can be properly waterproofed in a manner that is functional, aesthetically appropriate and cost effective.