Picking the right materials and tools when it comes to flat roofing is very important as it will determine the work that will be done on the roofing and how long the flat roof will last. You should research thoroughly when picking your flat roof materials and tools to avoid future problems that could be easily avoided.
Here are some of the typically used flat roofing materials and tools used by Strandek Flat Roofing:
Flat Roofing Materials
Fibreglass (GRP) Roofing
Due to their strength, fibreglass roofs have a fairly long lifespan of over 30 years. It has low maintenance characteristics as it is resistant to tearing and impact due to its high degree of hardness and excellent mechanical properties. It consists of glass fibre reinforcement combined with polyester resin, finished with a resin topcoat. This kind of flat roof material is quite popular. It is fairly simple when following a comprehensive fibreglass roofing guide.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is durable and has the longest lifespan as compared to other flat roofing materials lasting for about 20 to 30 years. It is the most expensive flat roofing system to have installed due to its nature and expert installation process. It is a good choice to use it on a building that has a roof slope that is greater than 2 inches.
Modified Bitumen Roof
Due to the use of an asphalt membrane as its base, the modified bitumen has a short lifespan of 10 to 15 years. This is because its surface is susceptible to blistering and cracking. However, it is a cheaper option when it comes to a flat roofing system.
PVC Roofing
It has a long lifespan with low maintenance. It has a reinforced membrane that makes it resistant to cracking and impact damage. It is considered the best material for flat roofing thus making it more expensive as compared to other single-ply roofing materials.
TPO Roofing
Its lifespan ranges between 10 to 20 years. Compared to EPDM roofs, it requires less maintenance and has the same kind of energy-saving properties as PVC roofs. They are among the best when it comes to flat roof materials and are not expensive to install.
EPDM Roofing
EPDM and other rubber roofing membranes have variable lifespans ranging from 10 years upwards. Having a single layer of synthetic rubber provides a weatherproof covering for a flat roof. Considered a cheaper roofing membrane, its durability is questionable – it is susceptible to sagging and punctures due to its softness. It is typically not recommended for flat roofs expecting foot traffic and equipment placement – think window cleaners, gutter cleaners, etc.
Flat Roofing Tools
When it comes to roofing tools, you will require a roofer’s tool kit. It however depends on whether you want to slate a roof or lead a roof.
Here are some of the tools you will need to build a roof:
Polyester Roller
Polyester rollers are designed to apply polyester resin to glass fibre reinforcement, ultimately creating the fibreglass laminate.
Paddle Roller
Paddle rollers are used to consolidate the laminate, driving out excess air bubbles trapped inside the fibreglass laminate and ensuring the thickness is consistent. This should create a high-quality laminate finish.
Slate Rippers
Slate rippers are used for removing slates on an existing slate roof when in need of repairing or even restoration. Due to its design, it makes removing nails and even slates easy by either chopping or pulling the nails. A slate ripper is a good tool to use if you are facing the situation of broken pieces of slates.
Cutters
Slate cutters are tools that come in handy when you need to cut thin pieces of slate. You can even use a slate cutter when you want to make convex or concave shapes on your slate. Slate cutters are the best when you want an accurate cut or even want to cut several slates. You can also use a slate cutter to trim natural slates.
Spare Blades for Cutters
It is good to have spare blades for slate cutters especially when working with several slates. This is in case the blade you were using for cutting gets blunt or damaged.
Jackson Slate Layer Tool
The Jackson slate layer tool is used for holding slates in place. They can be adjusted to different slate sizes whether man-made, natural, or cement-fibre slates.
When it comes to lead roofing, quality lead roofing tools are the key elements to get good lead work. Here are some of the essential tools you will need for this kind of work:
Lead Dressers
They are tools used to shape or even flatten out lead sheets before installation.
Lead Seaming Tools
They are tools used for positioning or even clamping sheet metal.
Bending Tools
When it comes to bending, seaming pliers can do the trick. You can use the seaming pliers to form, bend or even clinch sheet materials while carrying out your roofing activities.
Holing Tools
They are used for cutting holes in slates.
The above are just examples of roofing tools you can use while carrying out your roofing installation. Ensure that you pick the right tools for your roofing as some roofing materials need specific tool kits to install them such as fibreglass roofing materials which require fibreglass flat roof kits.