What New Home and Business Owners Should Know About Their Roof – Part 1: What Type of Roof Do You Have?

By Stacy Mellete

The first step in making your roof last longer is to know what type of roof you have. You need to be familiar with the materials covering your roof as this knowledge will teach you how to protect it from the elements and other external threats that could damage it and shorten its lifespan.

There are two main types of roofing: flat and sloped. These are both used on commercial establishments and residential roofs, but materials used for flat roofs are different from those used for sloped roofing.

Flat Roofs

Majority of flat roofs today are made of concrete covered with a certain type of material that prevents water from seeping through. Typically, these materials are:

  • Built-up Roofing – Tar and gravel were the earliest materials used in flat roofs. BURs are incredibly durable, thanks to the multiple layers of the roofing system.
  • EPDM and TPO Roofing Membranes – These are referred to as single-ply roofing systems made out of rubberized materials. Aside from being durable, EPDM and TPO roofing are easy to handle, helping ease the installation process.
  • Modified Bitumen – This roofing material is made up of polymer attached to the roof using asphalt, combining the durability of BURs with the installation ease of single-ply membranes.

Sloped Roofs

Majority of sloped systems today typically feature asphalt shinglesmetal panels or tile roofing.

Each of these materials have expected lifespans that can easily be extended through preventive maintenance and prompt repairs when necessary. All are beautiful in their own right and further offer choices for home and business owners.

For example, asphalt shingles can come in three-tab or architectural options, while metal roofs can be made out of steel, zinc, aluminum or copper. Knowing the exact type of material will help you decide on the type of preventive maintenance needed to extend the lifespan of your roof. We are a local residential roofers Tampa FL.

To help you get started with preventive maintenance, we’ll be talking about it more in Part 2 of this blog series, alongside how you can identify trouble spots to have them corrected as early as possible.

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Our Roofing Solutions

Your roof has an important job to do to keep your home dry, but it can also be an impressive home feature.

Stone-Coated

Our stone coated steel roofing system is available in a wide range of styles including Tile, Shake, Slate, and Shingle, and in a variety of colors. We’ll help you to choose one that will fit your home’s style and your budget.
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Shingles

As the most-used roofing type across North America, asphalt strikes a balance between price and durability, with a life expectancy of up to 20. Shingles are available for those who want affordable, genuine slate roofing.
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Tiles

Tile roofs offer unparalleled value when cost per year of use is factored in. While upfront costs are higher, customers who choose a clay or concrete tile roof will enjoy the aesthetics and quality for a lifetime.
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Metal 

Metal roofs today come in a wide array of colors and finishes. Innovations in metal roofing technology have significantly enhanced the performance of metal roofs.
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TPO Membrane

TPO can be installed to any scale with some of the world’s largest building utilizing TPO roofing systems – it comes in strips typically 8ft 10ft and 12ft wide that are heat welded on site.
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Customer Experience

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  • Not only were they the most thorough with the initial inspection, but workers also had the best price offer I have searched for.
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