How do you choose the finest garage roof material for you? Selecting a roofing type doesn’t have to be complicated. Still, with so many various roofing materials on the market today, there are a few practical considerations to consider when selecting the suitable material for your flat roof project.
Consider the garage’s location and use.
The sort of material you select for your garage and how you use it will be influenced by its location. Examine the direction your garage faces and the amount of shade it receives from nearby structures or plants. During the summer, garages with no shade or shelter can become extremely hot.
You’ll require a roofing material that can withstand inclement weather if you use your garage to store equipment or a home office. To protect your contents from frost and water infiltration, you’ll need some insulation. Consider whether you’ll be storing any combustible products in your garages, such as paints, gas, or oils, because your roof must be fireproof.
Fibreglass roofing is mould and rot resistant and non-flammable, making it a great long-term alternative. EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a perfectly cured synthetic rubber that is UV resistant and can withstand British weather. EPDM rubber roofing has a 40-year life expectancy.
The garage roof’s appearance around adjacent structures
If you’re concerned about the aesthetic of your garage roof, it might be a good idea to pick a roofing material that matches your home’s roof. For attached garages or those seeable from the road, this can be a particularly enticing alternative.
Well, there are two things to keep in mind. To begin, ensure that any replacement materials required for either structure are available, and that the appearance can be maintained. Consider any future renovations you may want to make to your home. If your garage roof doesn’t match your new expansion, you don’t want to have to replace it in a hurry.
The majority of garage roofing materials, except slate, are available in
several colours and styles. Metal and fibreglass roofs come in various textures and patterns, but keep in mind that they are more expensive. The most cost-effective materials include rubber, EPDM, and fibreglass, which may give even a DIY installation a professional appearance.
The influence of flat roofing materials on the environment
People are becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their products. It would help if you think about how long your chosen option will last. A shorter lifespan may be less expensive, but a longer lifespan means more materials and possibly more waste because replacement is required more frequently.
If you’re confused about the environmental impact of the garage roof materials you’ve chosen, inquire about the manufacturing process with your installer or supplier, including their waste policy and usage of recycled materials. Slate, for example, is a scarce resource, so if sustainability is a priority for you, you might want to look into other possibilities. White papers and technical information are readily available for download on many manufacturers’ websites.
Longevity and cost-effectiveness throughout time
As earlier said, one of the most crucial variables to consider is longevity. For example, a brick-built garage will most likely be in existence for many years, so purchasing a flat roof material that will require to be replaced in less than a decade will be more pricey in the longer run than buying a material like EPDM, which has a life expectancy of more than 50 years.
Fibreglass roofs are expected to last 20-30 years, with EDPM roofs lasting 50 years and GRP roofs lasting 40 years. This is predicated on proper installation and ongoing maintenance.
Although you may have a first preference for a particular type of garage roof material, you should weigh this against various other possibilities before making a final decision. Consider the variables listed above and a cost estimate to choose which garage roof material is ideal for you.
