MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I need a new (flat) garage roof and I'm a bit confused re materials. We've had a few companies round and they're clearly pushing their preferred option. The underlying timbers seem ok.
1. Felt (roll & tar)
2. Fibreglass
3. Rubber membrane
The rubber membrane comes with a 25yr warranty but another company said the rubber punctures easily (not sure from what - there aren't any golden eagles nesting nearby!)
I'm angling towards the fibreglass...
They all have pros and cons but all are pretty good these days. I generally prefer fibreglass, especially for more complicated shapes. For a simple, featureless flat roof I might go for rubber. Felt for a small shed. All IMO
Tar and felt is now old school as such, however it still has it's place and if done properly is still a good solution.
Fibre glass/grp is again a good solution we use it regularly on valleys nowadays instead of lead as it's usually a cost saving, a lot still want lead though. No real cons with it.
Rubber/epdm has come a long way, brilliant product, we've been fitting the Sarna version in gutters for the last 10 years, if fitted and welded correctly it's a really really good product.
Between grp and rubber there isnt a deal if difference and it comes down to personal choice. If it's trafficked the rubber can puncture, however I don't like the grp for similar reasons.
I've fitted both in various applications and haven't had problems with either. Tar and felt is probably cheaper though...
Thanks both.
Tar and felt does seem dated now, hence me angling towards the others. If there's not much in it I think I'll go with a company with good recommendations and whichever material they're used to using.
Fibreglass or Alwitra
I've fitted the rubber roofing and can recommend it. If there's not anyone walking on the roof then it will be fine and its very easy to fit with no mess. If the roof is likely to have the window cleaner sticking ladders on it regularly then fiberglass could be the way to go.
I work in the roofing Industry.( mainly flat roof refurbishment on commercial buildings though we do get involved in some residential.)
Each method has its advocates.
Arguably it’s not so much the material as the installation that’s critical to longevity.
With regards to warranty don’t pay too much attention to the term and more to whether they are actually meaningful and the reputation of the manufacturer.
Choose your contractor well and get feedback on their previous work.
Single ply is less favoured by many developers these days as it’s easily punctured in the construction phase.
We often see failures on new single ply where other trades, have followed the roofers and punctured it by dropping tools or screws on it.
In one case an electronic leak detection test identified more than 60 penetrations on one new build roof we saw.
The laps and detailing can be tricky to get right too.
I could do you a nice lead roof 🙂