Whether you’re in the middle of planning a new home, in the process of construction, or are planning a re-roofing for an existing building, you need to make smart, savvy decisions when it comes to the materials you use. You might assume that metal, clay, slate, tar and gravel, bitumen, or even asphalt shingles are the best option for your home.
While they can all offer some advantages, none of them is really “best”. In fact, that term might be more reasonably applied to another option – a liquid rubber roof. Why should you consider going the rubber roof route, rather than something a bit more traditional? Here are four important reasons to consider this option.
1. Long Lasting
One reason to consider going the liquid rubber roof route rather than something more traditional is that it is much longer lasting. Flat roof types, such as built up bitumen and tar and gravel, generally only last about 10 to 15 years. Asphalt shingles generally have a lifespan of about 25 years, which means you may have to have it replaced at least once during your ownership. Rubber roofs can last 50 years or longer when properly installed and properly maintained.
2. Less Maintenance
All roofs require some degree of maintenance. Even metal roofs, which can last up to 50 years, need to be resealed from time to time to prevent corrosion and other damage. Rubber roofs need less maintenance than other options. While an annual inspection should be conducted to check for physical damage, little other maintenance must be done.
3. No Seams
Perhaps the single most problematic issue with any roofing system is the presence of seams. These are the weakest point on the roof – they can deteriorate and allow water to seep in. They can be damaged by wind during storms, and more. All roof systems have seams, or seam-like sections. For example, there is a seam between each individual sheet of metal in a metal roofing system. Technically, there is a seam between each row of shingles in a traditional asphalt shingle roofing system, too.
A liquid rubber roof, on the other hand, has no seams at all. Whether the rubber is rolled on or it is sprayed on, it will self-level and erase any tiny gaps. The result is a seamless whole membrane that offers outstanding protection and is very weather resistant. That means less chance of damage from storms, and a dramatic reduction in the chances of developing a water leak.
4. Faster Installation
Finally, there is the fact that liquid rubber roof material is faster to install than any other system on the market. It can take several days to install a metal roof. It can take a week or so to install a traditional asphalt shingle roof. Bitumen and tar and gravel roofs have similar timelines.
A liquid rubber roof, on the other hand, can take just a few hours. This is because all that needs to be done to adhere the roofing material is to apply it to a properly prepared substrate. It will immediately adhere and begin the curing process. The process is even faster if the liquid rubber is sprayed on rather than rolled on, but spraying is usually best suited to flat roofs.
By now it should be clear that not only is a liquid rubber roof an option for your home, but it may just be the fastest, most economical, and longest lasting roofing solution available to you. With that being said, professional installation is vital to ensuring the highest quality roof for your home.