Home owners who have the choice of roofing systems during installation can sometimes choose to have a flat roofing system. Typically, most flat roofs are installed on commercial buildings but some are utilized on residential homes. Determining what type of roofing material is to be used on the flat roof is key to getting a good roof that will perform as it should and look great. There are some pros and cons to having different types of flat roofs on your home however. In this article I’ll go over some of the pros and cons of each type of roofing materials used in flat roofing.

Pros and Cons of Flat Roofing in Michigan

Advantages and Disadvantages of Having Flat Roofing in Michigan

Each type of roofing materials used in a flat roof can have their own pros and cons. The most popular types of flat roofing used today are:

• Rubber Roofing
• Tar and Gravel Roofing
• Metal Roofing
• Asphalt Roof Roofing

Each of these different roofing materials can each have their own pros and cons. Deciding on the type of roofing materials that you want installed on your home’s roof may break down to which of these are best for your roofing type.

Pros and Cons of Rubber Roofing

The newest type of flat roofing used today is rubber roofing. It is applied by actually putting rolls of roofing that are glued together to form a complete barrier against the weather. This type of roofing is one of the better flat roofing systems on the market today. It’s lightweight and lasts for decades. When there is a problem and roof repair is needed the roofing contractor will install a patch much like that of a patch for an innertube for a bicycle. The drawback of using this type of roof however is price. It’s one of the more expensive of the flat roofing systems listed in this article.

Deciding on the type of roofing materials that you want installed on your home’s roof may break down to which of these are best for your roofing type.

 

Using the Tar and Gravel Roofing System in Michigan

The most used flat roofing system for older buildings is the tar and gravel roofing system. This type of roofing is installed by first building up the roof by applying specific waterproof materials which are sandwiched with hot tar. A final layer of gravel is placed on top of the roof for aesthetics and fireproofing. This is an inexpensive way to cover a flat roof but the roofing contractor will need the correct materials in order to properly install the roofing system. One of the biggest drawbacks of this type of roofing system is the weight that is added to the roof. Not only will you have the weight of the gravel added to the roof but also layers of tar as well. Sometimes this can add too much stress to structural components and they will need to be enhanced to support this roof. It’s also very messy and difficult to be around while it’s being installed.

Using Asphalt Roofing on your Flat Roof

Asphalt roofing can also be added to a flat roof. Typically when asphalt roll roofing is added the roof has a bit of a pitch but only appears flat. There will need to be some fall in order to use this type of roofing system. The asphalt roofing system is inexpensive but may not last as long as rubber roofing or metal roofing.

If you’re unsure of what type of roofing system you want to use on your home’s roof then get an estimate from a roofing contractor.

Should You Use Metal Roofing on Your Flat Roof?

The last type of flat roofing materials is metal roofing. Metal roofing can come in many different styles, colors, and grades. Metal is usually used on commercial buildings that have been built using steel structures. Many times metal roofing is used to protect buildings because it does not require much fall in order to protect a building or home. In fact, a metal roofing system usually only requires less than one inch per twelve feet of fall to perform correctly. It lasts a long time and it also usually comes with a warranty. You will need to ensure you get the better grade of metal roofing which is thicker and less susceptible to damage from falling objects and wind. Metal roofing is more expensive than tar and gravel roofing and asphalt roofing.

If you’re unsure of what type of roofing system you want to use on your home’s roof then get an estimate from a roofing contractor. Get an estimate today by visiting our get an estimate page.