Anyone With a Flat Roof Should Consider a Seamless Roofing System.
It’s easy to love your roof when it’s relatively new and doing its job. How long this honeymoon of roofing love lasts depends largely on the type of roof you have over your head – while some roofing systems, such as metal roofs or slate tile roofs, can last over 50 years with proper care. Those of us who have flat or low-slope roofs on our homes are not so lucky. Although the official lifespan of flat roof systems is around 25 years , anyone who actually has a flat roof knows that you’ll be lucky to get ten years with them before they start to leak and otherwise show their age. After all, there is a reason why roofing companies always offer a 10-year warranty on these roofs.
Even on a flat roof, the most common sources of leaks are seams—places where there are changes in the plane, flashing, skylights, or vent pipes. If your roof starts to leak, these are the places you start inspecting, so it makes sense to fix the seams, you will fix the problem. If you have a flat roof on your home that needs to be repaired or replaced , you might want to consider what’s called a seamless roofing system or a monolithic roof.
What is seamless roofing?
A seamless roofing system (sometimes called a “monolithic” roof) is exactly what it sounds like: a roofing membrane that is one continuous layer without any seams. These systems are self-igniting , meaning they do not require any additional seals around vents or flues. It is usually applied in one of two ways :
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Liquid. Many seamless roofing systems are applied in a liquid form (silicone, acrylic or urethane), often using fiberglass reinforcement for added strength. The liquid is rolled or sprayed onto the roof surface and worked into all seams and gaps, then dries to create a seamless and waterproof surface.
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Spray foam. Another approach is to spray polyurethane foam, which expands into all voids and seams, sealing them, and then dries to form a durable waterproof layer.
It’s important to note that these are not just roofing coatings that you can buy at the hardware store that will help extend the life of your flat roof that are applied like paint. While the application process may be superficially similar, these are complex systems that must be precisely installed to achieve a truly seamless and waterproof result.
When installed when new, many seamless roofing systems include layers of reinforcing membrane sandwiched between liquid layers. But these roofing systems can also be applied over an existing flat roof if the roof is still in decent shape, including tile, metal or rubber roofs, as long as they are low-angle or flat. On steeply pitched roofs it is still possible to use a seamless system, but the results are usually not ideal since these systems are designed for flat areas. Companies like Kemper System and Everseal have roofing systems that involve repairing and strengthening an existing flat roof, then applying a monolithic roofing that provides a seamless installation, usually with a 20 to 50 year warranty.
Advantages
Seamless roofing systems have a number of advantages over traditional roofs:
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Durability. As noted, seamless roofing systems can be guaranteed for up to 50 years and typically last at least 20 years without the need for significant maintenance or repairs. Seamless roofing systems are flexible—they expand and contract in hot and cold weather along with your roof, reducing the likelihood of cracks or other leaks.
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Energy efficiency. These roofing systems act as reflective barriers that keep your roof cool and protect your roofing from harmful solar radiation. This extends the life of the roof and also helps keep your home cooler, reducing energy costs.
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Expenses. The low maintenance costs and long lifespan of a seamless roofing system will usually result in lower costs over time, since you won’t have to call in roofers every few years to fix leaks or replace your roof every ten years or so.