Rolled roofing is one of the least prevalent roofing materials for residential buildings. However, they are commonplace in the commercial space. Did you know that?
Well, there’s more to learn about rolled roofing, also known as MSR, from this article. We will discuss the types, their costs, pros and cons, and how to install them.
What Is Rolled Roofing?
The name sort of gives it away already. Rolled roofing is a material that comes in large rolls, usually about 100 square feet. A 100-square-foot sheet makes up each roll. To use it, you roll it over, and it sticks to your roof’s sheathing.
Rolled roofing can stick to surfaces like wood, fiberglass, waterproof underlayment, and roofing felt, among other materials. You can quickly install them in considerable strips, unlike other shingles that require you to lay them down one after the other.
MSR is not expensive and is significantly more affordable than most other options. A combination of materials makes up the rolled roof; however, they usually comprise asphalt, rubber, and polymers. They are also easy to install and are more prominent in carports and sheds.
A significant disadvantage of this roofing material is that it is less visually appealing than other options. However, it still looks decent for a temporary roof. It is a go-to choice for outbuildings with less value than primary residences.
MSR is perfect for people who like DIYs, as you need no experience to install it. Another category of people for whom this material is ideal is property owners who need a new roof but do not have money to spare.
How Effective Is Rolled Roofing?
Rolled roofing does its job of protecting buildings effectively from water invasions. Some varieties are resistant to damage that may result from the sun’s UV rays. They are commonly used on flat roofs because they are prone to incidents of water pooling. However, this roofing material is not long-lasting and has an average life expectancy of five to eight years.
Types of Rolled Roofing
Rubber Rolled Roofing
This is made from a combination of recycled tires and other materials, which makes it flexible and remarkably strong. It is reasonably durable and is the most affordable rolled roofing.
Rubber rolled roofing is also the most popular of the varieties. You can easily find it in home improvement stores.
TPO Rolled Roofing
Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing comprises ethylene propylene and polypropylene from recycled tires. They are highly leak-resistant and durable. They have an estimated lifespan of 20 years. Property owners commonly use them on commercial buildings with flat roofs. Putting down a TPO rolled roof can be very tasking and demands the use of a big blow torch.
EPDM Rolled Roofing
Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rolled roofing is also common. Manufacturers make them from recycled materials and design them to be more lightweight and delicate than the standard rubber roof.
EPDM is remarkably resistant to UV rays and heat, making it a durable rolled roofing option. It is, in fact, more durable than the other options and can last for as long as 20 years. EPDM is also a lot more expensive than other types of rolled roofing.
Bitumen Rolled Roofing
Bitumen rolled roofing material, as you may have suspected, is made from bitumen. Another name for this type of rolled roofing is modified bitumen roofing. Modified bitumen roofing combines polymers with asphalt to improve its flexibility and strength. Property owners frequently use it on commercial buildings, and it has a decent lifespan of about 20 years.
Bitumen rolled roofing usually comes in sticky sheets and is quite easy to put up. However, they cost more than other rolled roofing types.
Installation Process for Rolled Roofing
How you install your rolled roofing largely depends on the type you are using. However, the general approach is to apply roofing cement as a sealant and roll out the material you’re working with over the adhesive. Once you finish rolling out over the appropriate places, you cut it to the correct size and shape as you fix the strips in place.
Some homeowners will go the extra mile to hold the material in place with roofing nails. You can use roofing cement to hold overlappings between the strips of the material and any spot on the material with nail punctures.
The duration of the installation process varies, but most people will usually complete the task within a day, unlike other roofing materials that may take several days to install.
Installation Tips
- Get rid of anything that could puncture the material, including rocks and debris.
- Although not mandatory, install an underlayment to intensify the protection against water damage.
- Install the rolled roofing material in a horizontal position parallel to the overhang.
- Work your way upward by installing from the bottom
- Use roofing cement on the edge of the first strip you lay
- Ensure you overlap the strips as you progress upward
Cost of Installing a Rolled Roofing
The cost of installing a rolled roofing will differ slightly due to the influence of factors like cost of labor, size, and type of roof slope, the type of rolled roofing you are working with, among other things.
However, covering a standard 1,200-square-foot roof with rolled roofing may cost you about $1,500. This estimate includes the cost of the necessary tools and materials for installation. But if we include the cost of hired labor, it may sum up to about $2,500 to $4,800.
Pros and Cons of Rolled Roofing
Pros
- Easy to install: Rolled roofing options are usually peel-and-stick and are easy to cut. Hence, they are easy to install, even for a DIY project. Their ease of installation makes their labor cost cheaper than other materials.
- Affordable: Installing any rolled roofing is cheaper than installing other materials. For instance, installing an asphalt shingle costs twice as much as installing a rolled roof.
- Perfect for flat roofs: Because water can easily get into low-slope and flat roofs and cause damage, roofing shingles aren’t ideal. However, rolled roofing is best suited for roofs like this.
- Easy to transport: They are lightweight, and each roll of rolled roofing weighs between 75 and 100 pounds. This quality makes transporting them very easy. They do not need any special equipment or machines to lift and transport them from the purchase point to your home.
Cons
- Short lifespan: Most rolled roofing materials, especially the low-cost options, have a five- to ten-year lifespan. This is very short compared to other options like clay, asphalt, and slate.
- Limited durability: It is easy for these materials to wear off quickly because of their thinness. To get the most out of rolled roofing materials, you may have to use multiple layers for secure protection and a longer lifespan. However, this may lead to an increase in the cost of installation.
- Low curb appeal: This roofing material is nowhere near aesthetically pleasing and offers no curb appeal. It pales compared to other types, and many property owners will agree to this unanimously.
- Adds little or no value to your home: Due to their low curb appeal, poor durability, and short lifespan, they give your property little to no value. As a matter of fact, it might deter future buyers in the future.
- Not suitable for installation of solar panels: If you are a property owner who entertains the idea of installing solar panels on your roof, this roofing material is not for you. Its maximum lifespan is usually ten years, meaning your solar panels will outlast them, and you will have to pay to uninstall them and reinstall them on your replacement.
Conclusions
Rolled roofing is the perfect choice for outbuildings and low-slope roofs. They have some benefits, including easy installation and affordability, making them great for homeowners on a budget and those who want to install their roofs themselves. However, rolled roofing material has several disadvantages, like its short lifespan, poor curb appeal, and low durability.
So, when deciding on a roofing material to use on your building, always consider the benefits and drawbacks and what best suits your needs and location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes under rolled roofing?
A wood sheathing or plywood can be the only thing in direct contact with the rolled roofing. So you can install the material on them without any other material between them. However, you can apply a sealant to the wood surface for extra protection against leaks before rolling out the rolled roofing over it.
What is the lifespan of rolled roofing?
Rolled roofing has varying lifespans, depending on the type. Rolled roofing like bitumen, TPO, and EPDM has an estimated lifespan of 20 years with the appropriate installation and maintenance. However, rubber rolled roofing has a lifespan of about five to eight years.
Is rolled roofing a good roofing material?
Rolled roofing might not be the best option on the line; however, it gets the job done. It works well for carports, outbuildings, and sheds but not residential buildings.
