If you are thinking about re-roofing, this can be an expensive project, especially if you choose concrete tiles. Apart from this, you will also have to pay for installation. In the end, you can end up with an exorbitant bill that can even worsen your debts. But, if you want to avoid this situation, there are other materials you can choose from. That’s why in this article, we will talk about rolled roofing.
Rolled roofing is a great affordable alternative that you can use for any project. But, before purchasing this material, you need to learn what it is made of. Plus, to make sure this is the right choice for your home, we are going to explain all the pros and cons. Now, let’s get started with an overall breakdown of this type of roofing.
What is rolled roofing?
Rolled roofing is a material similar to asphalt shingles, and it comes in 100 square feet rolls. Every roll approximately weighs 75 pounds, it’s 36 feet long and 36 inches wide. The best part of rolled roofing is that you can find it in almost every hardware store or purchase it online. Since this option is cheaper compared to luxury materials, it will also be less durable. However, this doesn’t mean it has poor quality.
What is the composition of roll roofing?
Although this material is similar to asphalt, it has a different composition. Roll roofing is an oil-based asphalt with a mineral surface. In the industry, it is also called modified bitumen. Due to its characteristics, this type of roofing is not recommended for residential or commercial properties. Usually, rolled roofing works better in garages, workshops, barns, and even small shops. Sometimes homeowners can also use it to cover their existing roof. If you are thinking about doing this, you need to carefully prepare your current roof.
Installing rolled roofing
One of the significant advantages of purchasing rolled roofing is that the installation is easy. You won’t need any heavy equipment like the one that is required for shingles. Plus, it won’t be dangerous to perform this project on your own. If you already have this material at home, we are going to explain how to install it.
- You need to place the rolls that will come in long strips. Keep in mind that the length will vary depending on the structure of your roof.
- Apply the rolls horizontally. It is possible to get a unique type of roll roofing that can be arranged in different forms.
- Sometimes, for more support and underlayment, roll roofing will be infused with asphalt. This means that the rolls will overlap.
- For this process, you don’t need nails. Instead, you will have to use concrete on the bottom edge.
- The last step will be securing the upper edge with a layer of rolled roofing.
Now that we have answered the question “what is roll roofing?” Plus, we know its composition and how to install it, we will look at the pros and cons of this material.
Pros and Cons of rolled roofing
Many people wonder “what is rolled roofing?” But when purchasing any material, it is crucial to know its advantages and disadvantages. That’s why in this section, we will break them down for you.
Pros
- Price
As we mentioned before, the price point of rolled roofing makes it a more affordable option compared to asphalt shingles. This is great, especially if you are on a budget. Even though, depending on the provider you choose, the costs will vary. Today in the market, rolled roofing can cost anywhere between $200-$350, per square foot.
- Installation
In the section above, we explained how to install rolled roofing. If you take a look at it again, you will notice that it is quite an easy process. It won’t take you a long time to place the roll roofing into place. Depending on your schedule, it can take you a day or, at most, a weekend to finish the project. Plus, there is no need to spend money on heavy machinery to complete the process.
- Transport
The reason many people need to hire experts to install their roofs is that only a professional can handle the machines required to transport the materials. However, you don’t need to worry about this when it comes to rolled roofing. Due to its characteristics, this material is lightweight. This means it can be carried just using the trunk of your SUV.
- Low inclined roofs
Sometimes it can be difficult to find a material that is compatible with low sloped roofs. Luckily, rolled roofing will work great with this type of structure. After you install this material, you will be protected against heat and leaks.
- Re-roofing
One thing that many people don’t know about this material, is that it can be used to re-roof the existing roof. But, this is a process you need to perform carefully. Always make sure there are no elements that could puncture the roll roof.
Cons
- Design choices
Usually, when homeowners want to purchase a new roof for their home, they will have a series of aesthetically pleasing options. However, with rolled roofing, you can only pick between black and gray. Depending on your provider, you might also have access to green references.
- Durability
Even though this is a great affordable option for your roof, one thing you need to keep in mind is its durability. This material is not able to adapt. This means it can deteriorate quickly due to any changes or shifts. Over time, you can start seeing bald areas or deficient granules. You might want to ask why this happens. Well, you can find the answer in the section above “what is the composition of rolled roofing.” Sometimes to prevent this situation, people will use several layers of roll roof.
- Lifespan
One of the advantages of getting roofs that are a little more expensive is that they can last up to 20 years. This means you’ll only have to make this investment once or twice while you are the owner of the property. Rolled roofing can’t offer you this kind of durability. In fact, due to its composition, it will only last between 5 and 8 years.
- Resale value
If you decide to use a rolled roof for your home, your house won’t have the same value. It can even repel all potential buyers. That’s why we will advise you to re-roof the entire property with shingles before listing it in the market.
Contact Roof Master today to evaluate the cost of reroofing your house.
