Rubber roofing
Flat Roof Options in Tallahassee: Rubber Roofing Explained
Flat and low slope roofs are everywhere in Tallahassee: on additions, porches, garages and plenty of mid-century homes. They cannot shed water the way a pitched roof does, so the material choice matters more, not less. Here is what rubber roofing is and why it is usually the right answer for these roofs.
Why low slope roofs are different
Water moves slowly off a low slope roof, and any place it can sit, it will. That means seams, edges and penetrations do all the work. Shingles rely on overlap and gravity, so they are a poor fit here. A membrane system is designed exactly for this job.
Our heavy summer downpours test drainage hard. When we look at a low slope roof, the first things we check are where the water is supposed to go and whether it actually gets there.
What rubber roofing is
Rubber roofing, usually called EPDM, is a single-ply membrane that comes in large sheets. Fewer seams means fewer places for water to find a way in. The material flexes with temperature changes instead of cracking, which matters under a Florida sun that bakes a roof all afternoon and then hits it with a cold rain.
It has been used on low slope roofs for decades, and a well-installed rubber roof is a proven, dependable system. It is not flashy, and it does not need to be. It needs to keep water out, and it does that job very well.
Where it works best and where it does not
Rubber roofing is at its best on additions, porches, carports and low slope sections of a main roof. It is a practical choice for a roof that is not visible from the street, where function matters more than looks.
It is not the right call for a steep, visible roof, and it is not a fix for a roof with structural problems. If the decking underneath is soft or the slope sends water the wrong way, that has to be addressed first, and we will tell you so.
Care and what to watch for
A rubber roof asks for simple habits. Keep drains and scuppers clear, especially with our live oaks dropping leaves. After big storms, look for branches or debris sitting on the membrane. Ponding water that does not drain within a day or two is worth a call.
If your low slope roof is leaking or reaching the end of its life, we are glad to come take a look. The estimate is free, and we will tell you honestly whether you need a repair, a new membrane, or work on the structure underneath first.
Looking for Clay Roofing in Tallahassee, FL? Learn more about our Clay Roofing service or get in touch directly.
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