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2018 Modern Flat Roof Materials Guide: Types and Installation Costs

Posted on November 2, 2018

2018 Modern Flat Roof Materials Guide: Types and Installation Costs

Modern flat roof materials are common now that people in Denver CO plan to build futuristic looking homes or commercial facilities. The best thing about choosing a flat roof is that there are tons of options available. Before you begin a roof installation project, you want to know three things:

  • The types of modern flat roof materials that best suit your property
  • How much you need to pay for the roof installation work
  • Four factors that will affect the costs of installation

Today, Roper Roofing seeks to tackle these three areas. By the end of this post, you’ll be able to decide which residential or commercial roof meets your budget, design, and personal needs.

Types of Modern Flat Roof Materials and Their Installation Costs

You should know that the options for flat roof systems are the same for both homes, restaurants, warehouses, and offices. This is why our list below merges all types of roofs regardless of the industry. Read on.

1. EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer)

One thing to appreciate about EPDM rubber is that it’s versatile. If you didn’t know, it’s used in various applications such as hydraulic break systems and HVAC. But let’s focus on roofing here. As a roofing material, how does EPDM stand out?

Well, it lasts longer than most flat roofs. The lifespan of an EPDM rubber roof is around 30 years or more. This explains why business owners consider this roof a good investment. Other notable characteristics include its ability to resist hail damage and width that can reach 50 feet.

How much do you need to pay to install EPDM? It will cost you about $4.00 to $8.00 per square foot.

2. BUR (Built-up roofing)

skylight on a flat built up roof

Gravel is added on top of the flat roof to secure and protect it.

For generations, built-up roofs dominated the industry. Up to now, property owners still use BUR – which is why we include it on our list of modern flat roof materials. If you ask how BUR is constructed, it consists of several roof layers. These materials may consist of felts, fabrics, and bitumen.

Often, you hear people call a BUR roof a “tar-and-gravel” roof. This is because BUR roofs have gravel as the top surface. Gravel serves as a “shield” to secure and protect the underlying roof material.

Being versatile, contractors can install BUR over any type of decking. Not just that, BUR roofs withstand constant foot traffic. Installation won’t cost you much. It ranges from $0.50-$0.70 per square foot.

3. TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)

What is the best material for a flat roof with a garden? We answer you with TPO. In a previous blog post, we mentioned that people could utilize flat roofs in various ways. If you need a space for a rooftop garden, choose TPO. Roofing contractors will place TPO underneath green roof trays.

TPO is a fast growing material. Year after year, the material becomes better and stronger. One easily notices TPO because of its characteristic white color. TPO reflects heat from the sun. Install it if you want a roof that keeps your home or building cool!

According to roofcalc.org, TPO membrane installation costs you $5.5-6 per square foot. This range refers to high-end membranes. For a low-end TPO roof, expect to pay around $3.50-4.00 per square foot.

4. Torch down roofing

blowtorch on modern flat roof materials

Fire is involved when installing a torch down roof. That said, roofing contractors should be skilled and knowledgeable in using a blowtorch.

A torch down roof deserves a place on this list of modern flat roof materials. You’ll find it on many houses and buildings in Denver CO. Can you tell why? Torch down roofs don’t easily crack with building movement. Also, they offer outstanding resistance to water.

When repairs need to be done, contractors find the process easy. This low-maintenance roof will stay in good shape for 20 years or more.

Full installation of a torch down roof will cost you $3 to $6 per square foot. More layers will affect pricing. But the more layers you add, the longer your roof lasts.

5. PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)

Roofing experts say that PVC roofs are hard to beat. Whether the sun shines or it rains in the city, you can count on a PVC roof to stay durable for years. Because of the welded seams, PVC roofs also withstand winds and hurricanes.

Such flat roofs construction materials come in various thicknesses. For example, 50-mil, 60-mil, and 80-mil. If you plan to install solar panels on a PVC roof through an attachment, you can do so. The combination even maximizes energy-efficiency and savings.

Thinner PVC roofs cost you $6.17 to 8.12 per square foot. The thicker the material, the higher the installation cost. Know that we install PVC roofs.

4 Factors That Affect the Cost of a New Roof

By now, you should have an idea of what roof to pick from the list above. Next, we’ll discuss other aspects that may alter the installation costs. Flat roof materials prices may change based on these variables:

1. Tear-offs

Some people opt to replace their roof. In this case, completely removing an old flat roof and disposing of the waste adds up to the costs. But tear-offs make a sound choice and pay off long term. A roof overlay may be cheaper upfront but contractors won’t spot underlying problems. The weight of the old material and time spent also influence the cost of the tear-off.

2. Installation of other features

air conditioning system on flat roof

Installing equipment on a flat roof increases the labor costs.

Many building owners want to add features to make their building more functional. Typical examples include HVAC, skylights, and solar panels. Some roofing contractors are skilled in installing them. But because installing these materials require a different skill set, contractors may charge more.

3. The exact area of the roof

Your roofing contractor calculates the area of a flat roof. Doing this will help a contractor determine the number of modern flat roof materials to be used. A lot of manufacturers sell flat roofs by the square.

4. Roof steepness

Here’s the rule: the steeper the roof pitch, the higher the costs. One reason that explains why the final roof bid increases with steep roofs is that contractors would use safety equipment. Remember that the risks of falling increase. But since you’ll be installing a flat commercial or residential roof, the labor costs should be lower.

Have You Chosen a Flat Roof Material Already?

You won’t run out of options with modern flat roof materials. If you still need help in deciding, don’t hesitate to speak with a roofing contractor. Prefer a local-based, decades-experienced Denver CO roofing company because they know the best materials to withstand the weather.

Here at Roper Roofing, we’re more than ready to provide additional knowledge. Get in touch with us today! What’s in it for you? With us, you make an informed choice, achieve a quality flat roof installation, and enjoy warranties. Start a successful roofing project in Denver Colorado.