New To Flat Roofing?

Did you know that roughly 72% of homes in the UK have a flat roof?

Partially flat-roofed or completely flat-roofed… the demand is there. The flat roofing market is saturated with so many options for homeowners. For years there was one material that dominated the market however homeowners are now rethinking what they want from a roofing material…

Get in the know with this blog as we’ll tell you exactly why more and more homeowners are now demanding EPDM for their flat roofs.

But first here's a quick breakdown of the most popular flat roofing materials on the market today. 

At one point felt was the most popular flat roofing material in the UK as its extremely cost-effective and easy to install. There are many variations of felt: roofing felt, shed felt, self-adhesive and torch-on. The demand over the last few years has now started to decrease as this system only lasts for 10-20 years due to the material becoming brittle from UV rays.

This system consists of several alternating layers of roofing felt and fabric which is covered in hot tar. The roof is finished off by being covered in gravel to ensure the layered materials are not damaged by UV rays. BURs are extremely hard-wearing due to their multiple layers and generally have a 60-year life expectancy. The downside is, it quickly becomes a very expensive project, making it an unattainable option for most homeowners. 

PVC is formed by combining Ethylene and Chlorine which is then processed into vinyl chloride monomer. In order for this material to be used it then has to be polymerised into vinyl resin and then compounded to make it durable and flexible. These systems do have a 20-year life expectancy however it’s not a go-to option for most homeowners as it’s incredibly bad for the environment. It’s also difficult to install which often causes the price of labour to increase.

This is a liquid system that is installed by applying polyester resin and chopped matting glass fibres. 

GRP roofs have a 30-year life expectancy, making them an exceptionally durable system with a seamless finish. These great qualities do however come with a hefty price tag, causing it to be out of budget for most homeowners. Not only that it’s difficult to install for first-time roofers making it difficult to find a willing roofer to do the job. 

These days homeowners are staying in their homes a lot longer in comparison to when the housing market boomed in the 1980s. House prices are constantly increasing and the amount of available housing is becoming more scarce each year. Check out Daily Mail’s article for statics on which areas of the UK are staying in their homes for longer.

Homeowners now want but more importantly, need sustainable materials for their homes… Materials they can fit and forget. 

Before EPDM started becoming popular most homeowners were faced with a difficult decision... Opt for a cheap yet not as durable material like felt… or have a highly durable material that's extremely expensive like GRP and BURs.

EPDM takes the difficulty out of finding a long-lasting yet affordable flat roofing material. Not only that, it’s designed with both homeowners and tradespeople at heart. Generally, this material is made from either synthetic or recycled rubber, meaning it's less damaging to the environment compared to materials like PVC.

Millions of homeowners love this material as it's super strong, UV stable and completely maintenance-free… all without it costing an arm and a leg. Homeowners trust this material won’t be a burden once installed as it has a 50-year life expectancy, making it a great value-for-money option. 

Unlike other options on the market, this material is available in one piece and can be cut to size for a seamless finish with minimal wastage. 

Thousands of tradespeople love using this material as many systems are available in a one-piece membrane which makes installation super quick and easy. Not only that but its method of installation is less harmful to the installer as adhesives are used to bond the membrane to the deck as opposed to melting tar or bitumen like BURs or felt roofs.

Just like felt, EPDM comes in many forms, making it a great option for most projects.

EPDM is a material that works not only for homeowners but for tradespeople too. It's a durable yet attractive option for homeowners that doesn’t break the bank. For tradespeople, EPDM is a no-stress, no-faff material that’s quick and easy to install. 

We believe in making EPDM as easy as possible. If you would like to find out how we can make EPDM easier for you check out our blog. 

Make EPDM Easy