IS SINGLE-PLY ROOFING RIGHT FOR YOUR BUILDING?
Single-ply roofing systems have been around for quite a long time in the roofing industry, and while other systems have grown stagnant and stopped improving their product, most single-ply roofing systems have continued to be refined every year and offer a better roofing product now than they did 15-20 years ago.
Multiple Systems
Single-ply roofing isn’t a single roof type; it includes multiple roofing systems. TPO, PVC, and EPDM are just a few of the single-ply roofing options available to building owners. Because it offers several different membranes with different strengths and weaknesses, single-ply can offer a great roofing solution in one scenario, while it may not be perfect in another. Single-ply roofing represents choice among building owners; the ability to find the perfect roof for their building.
Advantages of Single-Ply Roofing
One of the primary reasons building owners choose single-ply roofing more than any other roofing system is the price tag it carries. Single-ply is manufactured in mass quantities and can therefore be sold for a low price. This is obviously appealing to anyone on a tight budget or who just wants to save money. A low price tag is a great benefit.
Single-ply roofing also offers a relatively foolproof installation. Other systems can get complicated and take a long time to install, but single-ply is pretty straightforward and is almost difficult to mess up once you have some experience with the system.
Disadvantages
Because single-ply roofing is installed in rolls through the use of fasteners or heat welding, it is a system that is inherently risky. Even with new technologies improving the ability of single-ply membranes to adhere to one another, leaks are still a major risk where seams and fasteners are present.
Conclusion
Single-ply roofing has become one of the fastest growing roofing products in the last 10 years – and for good reason, it is inexpensive, can be installed quickly and easily, and offers good protection for building owners. The seams are a risk, but as long as the roof is installed correctly, they shouldn’t be a problem.
