If you're on a tight budget but need a flat roof that remains high quality, EPDM is the most cost-effective option. Fiberglass GRP is often the most premium product, but this must be balanced by the fact that it can be the stronger and more durable of the two. GRP stands for glass reinforced plastic and is also known as fiberglass roof. GRP is composed of a resin with glass fibers or fibers that reinforce the roof material.
Although the resin is a liquid, a catalyst is applied that initiates a curing process to convert the liquid to a solid for a short period of time. GRP roof systems can look good if installed correctly. Once again, they can be supplied in different colors. The cost is significantly higher than felt and the weather conditions must be right for them to be installed, as they take a day or two to cure.
Fiberglass GRP flat roofs are labor intensive with resin mixing and gel coat application done on site. Quality depends on the person mixing the ingredients & their understanding of the correct quantities. These are constantly changing depending on current weather conditions. Because the surface is very hard, any rain or hail that falls on the roof can be very noisy, which can be a problem, depending on where the roof is located.
These ceilings can be good, but you have to consider the above when choosing the system you want to install. A fiberglass roof produces more noise than an EPDM rubber solution, especially when it rains. EPDM is an inert material that is easy to clean when wet, while a fiberglass GRP roof uses polyester resins. These resins dissolve in styrenes that are flammable and are classified as irritants.
However, both are very strong and durable solutions. This material is not so popular today, but there are a lot of roofs on which it has been installed, so it is quite a common sight. However, when you consider the attractive finish and durability of a GRP roof, in most cases it is money well spent. Although the first EPDM flat roof was installed in the 1960s and GRP has also lasted for decades, its popularity has increased considerably in recent years as more people realize its potential, as they have seen that EPDM and GRP flat roofs were laid years ago that still remain strong today.
GRP also has several unique properties that result in that it can be molded into almost any shape, around and over the shapes of irregular roofs and irregular structures. Both systems are more than experts at handling the worst that the British climate can withstand and can be maneuvered around any skylight and ventilation without too much difficulty. Once you decide to buy a new roof, there are different options for replacing your flat roof. Thanks to its composition, fiberglass GRP is one of the strongest roofing solutions on the market, so it is often chosen for flat roofs where there will be little traffic, such as balconies and outdoor seating areas.
Here at Roofing Superstore, we outline some of the key points to consider to help you decide which flat roofing material is best for your project. Since it lasts more than fifty years, although the installation costs are usually a little higher than felt ones, for example, it is generally worthwhile, since the roof does not need to be installed again. While fiberglass stands out as a superior material for flat roofs, it should be noted that the quality of the ingredients, the quality of the installation, and the level of care and maintenance provided to the roof will ultimately dictate its lifespan. With an EPDM solution from Thermal Roof, you know that your roof is being installed by trained and experienced professionals who are Checkatrade approved, approved by commercial standards and trusted merchants.
Both rubber and fiberglass roofing can be made by themselves, but only if you follow the right attention to detail and procedures, especially when it comes to covering corners and angles and ensuring that no air bubbles are lost. As explained above, the right material for flat roofs depends on what your priorities are and what your budget can afford. This means that EPDM roofs can be used on roofs that have irregular structures or structures such as skylights, pipes and gutters without any problems. This form of flat roof installation is generally quite fast, but less robust compared to resin-based systems.
. .
