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The Pros and Cons of Rubber Roofing
By admin | December 26, 2009
The use of rubber as a roofing material on flat roofed homes has increased greatly in the last thirty years. However, it is not widely known that rubber is also an excellent material to use on pitched roofs due to the development of rubber roof shingles.
The Advantages of Rubber Roof Shingles
Rubber roof shingles are very environmentally friendly, as can be made from recycled tires. Tires are turned into a powder, then moulded into the shape of a shingle. These shingles can then be dyed in a number of colours and textures in order to mimic other roofing materials like wood or slate. Rubber is far more resilient and adaptable than plastic imitation shingles. As well as this, rubber is able to reflect UV rays, resist heat and cold, and is not susceptible to mould damage. While being highly fire resistant, rubber is still a flammable material. You can get a special coating which will improve the fire resistance even more.
Rubber shingles come in a standard three-tab design that is very easy to install, and is easily accessible because you can walk on it during installation without peaking.
Disadvantages of Rubber Roof Shingles
Because rubber shingles only became available in the last ten years, most roofing contractors are not very familiar with them. This means that installation costs are normally higher than for other types of shingles like wood or slate. You also need to make sure that the secondary materials you use are of the highest quality because rubber shingles last for up one hundred years. You don’t want to have to be replacing the secondary parts of your roof. Secondary materials include bituminous mempane along the edges and heavy duty aluminum or copper for the flashing. This need for high quality material also adds to the cost of installation.
Rubber shingles can give off a “new tire smell” when first installed because of the fact that they are made from recycled tires. This is not a huge problem, however, as the smell will fade away within a few days.
Over all the benefits of using rubber shingles for your roof far exceed the drawbacks, which are slight and easy to remedy. Rubber shingles can give you the appearance of wood or slate without the high cost, and convey the added benefits of durability and long life.
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