Roofing Membrane – Membranes Make for Tough Roofs

Flat roofs are popular choices for businesses and homes all over the.For the most part, a flat roof is easier to design and cheaper to build. This is another reason why they are popular in some parts of the world. If you are going to use a flat roof, then you will need a strong roofing membrane to help protect the roof from the elements and extend the life of the roof. There are several different types of membranes used in flat roof construction.

A vinyl roofing membrane is one of the more common types of flat roofing material, but it is starting to drop in popularity. When you see flat roof construction going on, you may notice that the contractor is using an open flame to install the roof. That open flame is being applied to the bitumen for two reasons. The first reason is that bitumen requires heat to form a seam between the felt rolls and create a durable joint. The second reason is that the flame helps to bind the bitumen to the roof.

A form of roofing membrane that is becoming popular is a cold applied liquid. This is a liquid membrane made of various materials that cure to create a protective surface. This liquid is easier to install than the open flame bitumen surface, it can also be used as a refurbishing material on flat roofs because there is no threat that the open flame will create a dangerous situation during installation. As more people look for ways to safely and inexpensively refurbish their flat roofs, the cold liquid option becomes more popular.

Another popular roofing membrane material is EPDM. This is a rubber membrane material that can withstand extreme changes in temperature without cracking or peeling. It can also withstand standing water without breaking down. It can allow water to runoff without contaminating the water and that is why EPDM is used by homeowners and businesses that collect and recycle rain water.