Our family cottage needs a new roof. It’s 21ft x 28ft and only has a 1/2″ in 12″ slope. There are no parapets, drains, or any other protrusions…just a flat roof.
It currently has roll roofing on 1×6 planks and has started to leak badly this year. It’s had roll roofing since it was built 50 years ago and we replace it every 10 years or so.
I know that roll roofing should be used on a 2″ in 12″ roof so i’d like to avoid it if I can. What other do-it-yourself products are available for such a flat roof ? I plan to remove the existing roll roofing and cover the planks with 7/16″ aspenite.
Would an EPDM membrane be my best choice ?
…..or can I stick with roll roofing using the concealed nailing method ? What if I use an ice and water shield under the roll roofing ?
I also found a post by McDesign for a product called Sealoflex. Looks like a nice product but there does not appear to be a distributor in Canada.
Does anyone have another product to recommend ?
Budget is about $500. Changing the roof slope is not an option at this time.
Thanks
Chuck
Replies
Two good choices:
Modified Bitumen;
A single-ply rolled roof similar to ice-and-water shield, but impregnated with a mineral-based wear surface. Newer peel-and-stick systems are easy to apply.
Peel-and-stick material can be installed by homeowners. Its price is in the middle of the pack.
Rubber Membrane;
EPDM is a true rubber. The material resembles an inner tube, but it's engineered to resist damage from sunlight. EPDM can be mechanically anchored with fasteners, ballasted with stone, or glued.
Homeowner installation possibly. The material's relatively light yet resistant to scuffs and tears. Leaks are easy to patch. Higher priced than other options.
Considering your budget, I think your best bet is ice and water shield (peel and stick) over the whole deck, overlapping 4-6" at the seams, and a layer of roll roofing to protect it. That, plus a bucket of goop for the roll roofing seams and a push broom to apply it should be right around $500.
Prices from local Home Depot and Rona
4 rolls of ice and water shield (36" x 65 ft) = $ 240
7 rolls of roll roofing (36" x 36 ft) = $ 245
1 bucket of roll roofing glue = $ 35
Total : $520
I guess I don't understand why you'd bother putting down I&W... and then the roll roofing.
Why not lay down a peel & stick roof and be done? This way there would be no nail holes puncturing the membrane from the application of roll roofing (rendering the I&W useless if you later remove the roll roofing and wish to apply a new layer).
I'd seriously consider something like Protecto Seal 45. Get the white coating. The aluminum layer is under it. Even less heat gain this way...and I'd sooner look at white than aluminum. One of your local big boxes should carry the product. It's not that expensive. Something like $60 a square last year around here.
http://www.protectowrap.com/products/roofing.php
IMO, it's a smarter route to go than the P&S granular products, too. Ever try to remove a layer of P&S? Good luck. Apply a smooth faced product and you can later apply right over the top. Much easier patching too if a hole gets punched in it.
You might consider priming the substrate first with an asphalt based sealer such as that offered by Mulehide. Incredible grip if you do that. Don't make any mistakes when applying the roofing cause you'll have a hell of a time getting up even a very small area once it touches that primered surface.
Edited 7/15/2008 3:24 pm ET by HootOwl
Agreed...but....none of the box stores in my area carry this product. Protecto's web sites states that Home Depot has it. I called the few in my area and none of the people I spoke to knew what I was talking about. I'm also trying roofing supply places but no luck yet.
I just emailed Protecto to see if they are aware of a local distributor.
There are lots of other similar products out there but not too many that can remain exposed...and certainly not for 60$/square.
...still looking
Do you have any Menards stores in your immediate area? They carry it here.
ABC Supply carries the Mulehide version ...for about $100 a square. Very little difference in product itself from what I can tell. Elongation is a bit higher on the Mulehide and that's about it. For all practical puposes, they are likely the same quality with the same life expectancy. 10 year warranty on both. That's the same as for Mulehide torch-down products. Leave the torch in the truck and use a smooth-faced P&S, IMO.
Oooops. You're in Canada. Not sure if there are any Menards up there at all.
Edited 7/15/2008 5:23 pm ET by HootOwl
Are any of you familiar with this product:
GenFlex Peel&Stick TPO White Membrane
http://www.genflex.com/pdfs/marketingbulletin/pssellsheetnew.pdf
It's not clear if it can be left exposed but at least there is a local distributor...unfortunately they are closed for the day.
Edited 7/15/2008 5:21 pm ET by Chucky
chuck,
Is framing another roof on top, like a gable roof with at least a 4/12 pitch an option?
not really. The "cottage" is really just a cabin on concrete blocks. Stick frame with pine planks for exterior cladding. No interior finish for wall or ceiling. No running water, no electricity. The cost of doing the roof properly would exceed the total value of the cabin :-) The cabin belongs to my family but is on land owned by my aunt. Since I have no idea what will happen when she passes on, I don't want to put in too much money.
How about a blue tarp and just tell your aunt you'll fix it next year? Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Ah Ah! It already has a blue tarp...It lasted two years but it needs to be removed too! It's our cottage on my aunt's land so the decision to do it rests with us.
Chucky
I'm in the exact same situation down in the Rideau lakes. I'm thinking about trying the peal and stick textured ice and water, HD in Ottawa carries it. I find the big problem with our current roll & tar down roofing is the lengths are too long and it develops ridges where ever there are plywood seems, or less flexible structure. Some condos behind us were reroofed a few years back with a material whose edges were heat seamed, but the strips run from the ridge down. It seems to have worked. I think shorter lengthens are better and I'm going to give it a try. ps .. almost everything < 1:12 collapsed down our way this winter, raising the roof is the best option, with the $ of materials these days I think you'd be surprised at the replacement cost.
I think the peel-and-stick ice and water shield you are refering to is textured to make in non-slip while the roofers are installing it. It is supposed to be covered and I don't think it is U/V resistent.
There is a peel-and-stick membrane that is covered with large granules and does not have to be covered. I don't think HD has it but the RONA on Innes Road does. Unfortunately, it's fairly expensive and would be about $1200 for my roof.
No kidding about the snow load. We usually go once a year to remove it. Last winter, we went three times. Really, its surprising that the cottage has lasted as long as it has. My dad built-in when he was young and poor and used whatever was around. It was built on logs, the walls are mainly 1x8 pine boards with just a few studs holding everything together. The flat roof is made of 2x4's. Like I said, it's really just a shack for us to sleep in and cook our food. It's just a step up from camping in tents.
Or, you can tell her that this special blue roofing is the latest rage in California! Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Louisianna maybe!
They do have a nice green color available too....and silver. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Seriously, if roll roofing gets 10 years, that's all I'd do. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I would second that!
Good point.
A double layer modified bitumen peel 'n stick would probably be the best. You fasten the base layer and then apply the peel 'n stick over it. It's not hard.
I assume that you'll use new metal roof edge, right?