Flat roof covering

[spydie]

Our extension is being built with a flat roof, and need to confirm roof coverings.

We have a choice of a fibre glass system or the rubber covering, which is more expensive.

Does anyone have any experiences of either!? Naturally the inclination is to go with the more expensive option (rubber), but is it necessarily any better than the fibreglass system?

Thanks and in advance!

No advice but I'd be interested to see what other people have done. We're planning a flat roof and our architect has suggested troucl (? So) roofing. I still haven't researched it much but this has reminded me I need to get on and look into it properly!

Go for the one with the largest life span. Make absolutely certain that water cannot stand on it. Ponding water destroys flat roofs! Use a hose to check this out when it is built and talk to the builders as they are doing the roof to make sure the drainage works effectively. It is vital for a long roof life. It is better if it is not totally flat. A small slope is a better design for obvious reasons.

I'm about to have my flat roof re-done. I'm no expert, but have spoken to the three recommended companies who quoted, and have decided to go with the rubber (EPDM) system. The view was that the fibreglass system can become brittle and therefore may crack. I don't know if this is true or not, but the system I'm having comes with a 20 year guarantee, and "has an overall life expectancy of 50 - 70 years" according to the contractor. I was referred by another MNer to this site: www.fixmyroof.co.uk/videos-and-guides/flat-roof-replacement which I found helpful.

One other thing - if you do go for the EPDM roof, then my contractor said that it's important that all the people that are doing the work are manufacturer trained, not just one of them, and s/he trains the rest.

Or maybe that's just another reason for my quote to be so high...

sally thanks for that link

Our roof is done with a German manufactured PIB (synthetic rubber) material called Rhepanol. It looks like a flat roof but is technically a low angled beamed roof, so there is some fall to allow drainage. As it's a low carbon development, the developers used Rhepanol as it has a low environmental impact as well as being long lasting (certified for at least 30 years).

Our builder told us that most flat roofs aren't truly flat these days. Most are built at a 5% incline at the least, to allow for water drainage.

Is there any chance of avoiding the flat roof at all?

Ours is rubber. Husband is going up tomorrow night when he's back to investigate leak (only 3 yrs old, roof that is, not Husband!) so I can get a photo taken if you want?

A slight pitch to the roof rather than a truly flat roof makes a big difference to buildings insurance.

A slight pitch to the roof rather than a truly flat roof makes a big difference to buildings insurance.

We used Sarnafil around 14 years ago - a really large expanse, and have (touch wood!) had no problems. It was cleaned last week and looks as good as new. Needed to be fitted by approved fitters though.