What Are the Different Types of Roofs on the Market?
You're planning roofing work, but you're not very familiar with the options available? When it comes to constructing a building or carrying out some repairs, the wide variety of choice can seem intimidating at first. Understanding the different types of roofs can help you make an informed decision. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the available options. Discover the main types of roofs that you can find in Québec.
Sloped Roofs
Sloped roofs are a type of roof that's highly valued for homes, because the pitch allows water, ice and snow to drain easily. This type of roof also requires less maintenance and offers several attractive roofing materials.
Asphalt Shingles
In Québec, most sloped roofs are covered with asphalt shingles. It's a type of roofing material that's easy to install and maintain, and it offers great weather resistance. The shingles are covered with granules that protect the asphalt from UV rays and offer high durability. The lifespan will vary depending on the quality of the product.
Depending on your preferences, you could opt for different types of shingles:
- 3-tab shingle, a popular and economical option.
- Architectural shingle, very aesthetic and able to imitate wood or slate.
- Laminated shingle, an option that creates depth.
Asphalt shingles are available in various tones that can be made to go well with your home's exterior. Learn more about our products and services for sloped roofs.
Metallic Roofs
Metal roofs rank in second place when it comes to preferred materials for sloped roofs in Québec. It's a type of roofing material that's more expensive, but highly durable, with an average lifespan of 40 to 50 years! Maintenance is easy and the material doesn't rot, although it can rust.
Despite its advantages, metal roofs can be loud, particularly when it's windy or when it rains. The installation process is also more complex. Metal roofs can also be built with low-end corrugated metal panels, galvanised steel, aluminum or copper.
Slate Roofs
We often recognize older buildings by their slate roofs. Although these tiles have undeniable charm and an impressive lifespan, they are less and less popular with modern construction. Their high cost can discourage many people, but slate is also a heavy material that requires a very solid structure underneath.
This type of sloped roof offers high fire resistance and doesn't discolor easily; however, they provide less resistance to impacts.
Flat Roofs
Flat roofs are very popular for industrial and commercial buildings, and for multiplexes. They're growing in popularity for residential properties because of their contemporary aesthetic and the possibility to install a rooftop terrace.
Asphalt and Gravel
For a long time, this type of covering has been the most common in Québec. An asphalt and gravel roof consists of a multilayer structure, made up of several layers of bitumen felt and liquid asphalt, to which a layer of gravel is added on the surface. The latter protects the asphalt against the sun's rays.
This system provides excellent waterproofing capabilities and represents an affordable option. It requires regular maintenance to spread out the gravel and add more if necessary. However, this is not its main disadvantage. In fact, this type of roof is not very eco-friendly, namely because of the considerable amount of embodied energy involved. Not forgetting the installation process, which creates noise, odours and toxic vapours...
Elastomeric Membrane
The elastomeric membrane was introduced as a modern replacement for asphalt and gravel covering. It's a two-layer roofing system, overlapped and welded together. The first layer ensures the covering of the roof is watertight, while the second contains granules that protect it from the sun's rays.
The elastomeric membrane itself is a type of modified bitumen, supplied in rolls for faster installation than asphalt and gravel roofs. It's generally installed using a torch, melting the bitumen to better fix the membrane, or a self-adhesive hot-mopping system.
It's also much easier to maintain than an asphalt or gravel roof!
Synthetic Membranes: TPO, PVC and EPDM
Often white in colour and looking like pool covers spread over the roof, synthetic membranes are also gaining in popularity. They have in common the use of synthetic materials and a single-layer system. These membranes are quick to install and easy to maintain and provide a more environmental-friendly option. There are three types of synthetic membranes:
PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
This type of membrane has been in use in North America since 1970 and it offers a good longevity and fire resistance.EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer)
Introduced in the 1960s, EPDM is a durable and recyclable material that is mechanically attached to the roof (using glue or adhesive tape).TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin)
TPO combines the advantages of the two previous membranes, offering torch-free, safe installation and exceptional strength. In fact, it's the evolution of EPDM, developed in the 1990s.
Although available in a variety of colors, these membranes are often used to create a white roof, which reduces heat islands and improves a property's energy efficiency.
Green Roofs
The construction of a flat roof offers several possibilities, including green roofs. These provide undeniable advantages in terms of ecology, building insulation and rainwater retention.
Whether simply adding plant substrate or creating a real roof garden, this is a project that requires a sufficiently robust structure; reinforcement work may be required.
Couv-Toit: Your Partner for Roofing Installation and Repairs
Our experienced team can help you choose the right type of roof for your needs and budget. Our roofers specialize in both flat and sloped roofs, offering you a full range of services for 20 seasons now on the North Shore, South Shore and in Laval and Montréal! Contact us for more advice or to request a quote.